Uganda Rural Community Support USA

How do you live with the knowledge that your father’s
last thoughts on the way to the gallows might have been, “If only my son
had done more to save me”?

Ken Wiwa’s eyes darken with pain as he shares this recurring
nightmare, which is fuelled by guilt that he could not prevent the
Nigerian military regime from killing acclaimed writer and activist Ken
Saro-Wiwa.

That was two years ago. The execution was defiantly carried out
during the last Commonwealth heads of government meeting in New Zealand
while Wiwa (he changed his name a few years ago to avoid being called
Saro-Wiwa junior) was frantically trying to persuade international
governments to stop it.

Over the past week he has been lobbying them again. It’s like deja
vu: same summit meeting, same issues. Only this time the venue is the
Scottish city of Edinburgh and his father is already dead. “But we want
his body so that we can give him a proper burial,” he says.

When Saro-Wiwa was arrested in 1993 for murder, Wiwa became an
unofficial envoy, traveling the world to spread his father’s message
about the Ogoni people, Shell and Nigerian human rights abuses.

World leaders queued up to shake his hand and offer platitudes. An
unwordly young man with aspirations to become a journalist, Wiwa found
doors opened to him by the likes of United States Vice-President Al
Gore, former United Nations secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali and
prime ministers across the globe.

It was all a cynical act of political convenience by players who know
the power of appearances. “They just wanted to be photographed with me,
to make it look as if they were really doing something. But in reality
they were too cowardly to act against Nigeria because of the oil.”

It has been a steep learning curve for Wiwa. “It was an eye-opener,
and that’s putting it mildly,” he sighed. “I, however, realised that I
didn’t want to go into politics - it’s far too duplicitous.”

But Wiwa was in Edinburgh trying to get the same cynical politicians
to levy tough sanctions against the Nigerian junta for its failure to
restore democracy. “We want to expose the hypocrisy here. Maybe we can
shame them into action.”

Wiwa and other Nigerian activists were hoping the summit would
sanction an independent inquiry to go to Ogoni and find out who was
responsible for the murders Saro-Wiwa was condemned for, and the
estimated further 3 000 locals who have been killed throughout the
crisis.

They also wanted to see the end of the military occupation of Ogoni
and asylum for the refugees who had fled to West Africa, including
members of the Saro-Wiwa family.

Most importantly, Wiwa wanted pressure to be brought on the Nigerian
government to clear his father’s name, retrieve the body from an
unmarked grave and give him a proper resting place. He failed on all
counts.

But he certainly tried his best to shock the Commonwealth leaders
into action. He points to a coil of heavy industrial rope lying at his
feet, which the campaign group brought to Edinburgh for a publicity
stunt. They had planned to erect makeshift gallows outside the
conference centre. But it didn’t happen.

HEADLINES: The National Human Rights Commission has been set up by President Charles Taylor.
The Commission is chaired by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Hall Badio.

> An opposition member in the Legislature has criticized Speaker Nyudueh Morkonmana and other Legislators
for attending Cabinet meetings. Representatives David Kortie of Lofa County says the action of the Speaker
and colleagues contravenes a provision of the constitution.

> The Liberia Marketing Association is expected to go to the poll in the next fifteen days to elect a new
crop of officers. President Charles Taylor said the call for elections is intended to resolve the on-going
leadership crisis within the association.

> UNITA has criticized United Nations sanctions intended to force it comply with a 1994 peace plan.

NATIONAL NEWS

> The National Human Rights Commission has been set up by President Charles Taylor. The commission is
chaired by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Hall Badio. Other members of the
commission are Dr. Walter Richards, Co-Chairman, Former Probate Court Judge Luvenia Ash Thompson, the
Director of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Kofi Woods and Paramount Chief Jallah Lone, members.
The commission has been empowered to investigate complaints by Liberians and foreign residents of alleged
violations of their fundamental rights and liberties. The Act establishing the commission has since been
published in hand bill by the Foreign Ministry, after it was signed Monday by President Taylor.

> An opposition member in the legislature has criticized Speaker Nyudueh Morkonmana and other Legislators
for attending Cabinet meetings. Representatives David Kortie of Lofa County says the action of the Speaker
and colleagues contravenes a provision of the constitution. Article three of the Liberian Constitution
provides for separation of powers. Under that provision no one holding office in one branch shall exercise
any of the powers assigned to the other. Mr. Kortie threatened to issue a write of prohibition against the
legislators to stop them from Cabinet meetings. He said continued violation of the provision on the
separation of powers will create a presidential dictatorship and weaken the legislature. There has been no
comment from the Speaker.

> The Liberia Marketing Association is expected to go to the polls in the next fifteen days to elect a
new crop of officers. Former Vice Chairman of the State Council Victoria Reffell has been appointed Chairman
of the Election Commission by President Charles Taylor. While the Internal Affairs Ministry has been
mandated to conduct the elections within the fifteen days. President Taylor said the call is intended to
resolve the on-going leadership crisis within the association.

> The Catholic human rights authorities have taken exception to the stopping of its radio program on the
state owned radio. In a statement issued last night, the Justice and Peace Commission viewed the action as
the suppression of dissenting opinion. The commission said its radio program was removed from the air on
Tuesday without reason. The commission recalled that on September 16, LBS authorities again stopped the JPC
program while it was being aired. The commission claimed it lodged a protest but received no response,
saying LBS breached a contractual agreement and violated JPC’s right to free expression.

> Former Grand Bassa County Representative Edward Harris is dead. Mr. Harris died October 11th in Accra,
Ghana. The cause of his death is not known. The body was laid in state at the capitol today for one and half
hours. It was later transported to Buchanan for a night of wake keeping. The late Harris will be buried on
Saturday. He was elected in 1975 to the House of Representatives. He served as Chairman of the House Ways
and Means and Finance Committee. The national legislature in a tribute praised the deceased for dedication
to duty and championing the cause of the less fortunate. Mr. Harris is remembered for pushing legislators to
reform education and health .

> Businesses operating in Monrovia by Indians will be closed today at 12:00 noon. This is to allow Indians witness the cremating of the body of the late Ramesh Anandani. The deceased was a member of the India Community and Proprietor of Arum Brothers. The Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Sing
h Jeety has meanwhile expressed gratitude to all those who sympathized with them.

> Police Director Joe Tate says the detention of Col. Hamilton Marks is in keeping with the police duty manual. He said Col. Marks violated the rule prohibiting police officers from publicly criticizing or making public utterances about police plans, policy and operations. Director Tate describ
ed Col. Marks as an in disciplined officer with a track record in the police force. According to the record, Col. Marks has been dismissed and reinstated twice since he joined the police two years ago. He said he and Director Tate have been at loggerheads. Meanwhile, some relatives of Col. Marks a
re currently in police custody pending trial by the court. Police say they are charged with obstructing the
legal process and assaulting police officers during an attempt to arrest Col. Marks at his Gardensville
residence.

> The three months grace period given side-walk marketers to vacate the streets expires today. Marketers
say they are ready to leave the streets, but government is yet to identify a place for their relocation. The
Liberian government in August gave marketers until October 31st to vacate the sidewalks in Monrovia.
Government said selling on the sidewalks was dangerous and impedes traffic. Meanwhile, a committee set up to
relocate marketers is yet to present its report.

> Investigation is continuing into clashes which left one person dead and several others injured
yesterday in Vai Town. Police say more than ten persons have been arrested and are assisting with the
investigation. The investigation is to establish the prime suspect responsible for the killing. Haji Konneh,
22, was stabbed to death during clashes yesterday between two family groups over the ownership of a house in
Vai Town. The clashes followed an order by the Justice Ministry to have one of the groups evicted from the
house. The two family groups, the Konneh and Jenekai, have been involved in a long standing dispute over the
control of 25 acres of land in Vai Town. The land dispute has been decided more than three times by the
Supreme Court of Liberia with each group rejecting the verdict. The Vai Town land is said to be communal
land given to the Vai people in the early 1900s by government.

> The Liberian Senate has modified an Act amending the concession agreement between the government and
Finoma Liberia Incorporated. The Act seeks to amend portion of the agreement to ensure that the Liberian
government benefits. The Act was passed by the National Legislature and forwarded to President Charles
Taylor for signature. But President Taylor returned the bill to the Legislature for modifications. The
Secretary of the Senate says the modifications have been made and the bill has been sent to the House of
Representatives. From the House the Act will again be forwarded to the President for signing. Finoma manages
the Hotel Africa in Virginia and is seeking an extension of the agreement that ends this month. Under the
Act, the agreement is being extended from November 1st 1997 to October 31st the year 2008.

> A Liberian school in Man, La Cote D’Ivoire may soon be without students. The Liberian Christian
Fellowship Institute had an enrollment of over 100 students last academic year. But currently there are only
28 students in the school. Principal, Elsie Stewart attributes the drop in enrollment to the return of the
students to Liberia. Principal Stewart fears that the school will have to close down after the first
semester this year. And she too like her students will have to return home to Liberia.

> Traveling between Liberia and La Cote D’ Ivoire by land has become difficult. The major highway linking
the two countries is in a deplorable condition. Large portholes and thick layers of mud in many parts of the
road from Ganta to Lougatuo is hindering the f low of traffic. Commercial drivers plying the road said
condition now is much improved than two months ago. More than seven years now the route has not benefitted
from any serious maintenance. Occasionally the highway is manually rehabilitated by villagers living along
the route. The work is often arranged by the World Food Program’s implementing partners on the basis of food
for work.

> A Nigeria Defense spokesman says the economic embargo against Sierra Leone will remain. And is not
affected by last week’s peace deal. Col. Godwin Ugbo said ECOMOG will continue to prevent arms and
ammunition from reaching the junta in Freetown. It is not clear whether ECOMOG will use force to carry out
the decision. It was decided at the Conakry talks that sanctions should continue until power is restored to
ousted President Tejan Kabbah. That also include United Nations Security Council embargo. Meanwhile, the
strategic Jui highway linking the capital, Freetown with the interior of the country has been re-opened. It
was re-opened to traffic on Tuesday after three weeks of closure. ECOMOG troops stopped and searched
vehicles for weapons. Report says the re-opening of the highway will allow free movement of people and goods
in and out of Freetown.

NOTE FOR EDITORS: Star Radio is staffed by Liberian journalists and managed by the Swiss NGO Fondation
Hirondelle with financing from the U.S. Agency for International Development through the International
Foundation for Election Systems. Non commercial redistribution is allowed, providing that the source is
quoted and no editing other than reformatting is made.

Before you get to read this piece, I bet you must have read
the new Democrat newspaper re-packaged and re-launched onto the Ghanaian
news market by no other person than El-Alawa Razaq, formerly of the
defunct New Ghanaian.

To me as a journalist, this is a good development for the newspaper
industry and the journalism profession as a whole. The re-birth of this
publication which suddenly disappeared into oblivion about a year ago
will not only provide more jobs for journalists, but will go a long way
in widening the information base of the society. But unfortunately, many
of us did not see things from this perspective.

Rather, we hastily rushed into conclusion that the re-launched
publication, irrespective of the new hand behind it is doomed to fail.
One can understand the anxiety of those who hold this belief, but it may
be too early to jump into such a conclusion.

Although, El-Alawa may have been too frank by re-stating the obvious
fact that, the new Democrat will remain the mouth piece of the ruling
party - NDC, but I do not see any reason for any anxiety over this
obvious statement except we want to pretend as if we are not aware of
the existence of political newspapers established to champion a
political cause.

In as much as the Constitution of the country and the journalism
profession itself do not forbid political parties or politicians from
establishing newspapers to champion their cause in politics, I do not
see any reason why The Democrat should be seen as a-no-go-area for we
journalists. I agree that some of our colleagues have abused the ethics
of the profession while working for pro-government or state-owned media,
but this is not to say that others will do the same if they find
themselves in their shoes.

Against this background, I think we will not be fair to El-Alawa, the
new editor of the new Democrat by saying that he is not going to do
better than his predecessors. This is like awarding marks to a student
before he sits for an exam. I think El-Alawa should be given the chance
and time to prove his point in his new adventure.

I am not particularly comfortable with the attacks that greeted the
re-birth of the new Democrat with my unshaken belief in the integrity of
El-Alawa, one of the best journalists in the country today. I know he
may not be allowed to run the publication as he would have loved to, I
do not see this as a big deal since he can always leave the new job if
he is not allowed a free hand. I took up some editors- Kwesi Pratt Jnr.
of Weekly Insight and Ebow Quansah of the Ghanaian Chronicle on this
issue last week, but the conclusion of these two media gurus that no one
can change the focus of The Democrat frightens me as a journalist.

While I would not claim to understand the media terrain in the
country more than any of these people, I still believe in the integrity
of the new editor of The Democrat as a man who will never allow himself
to be messed up. I equally know that he will never abuse the ethics of
the Profession to serve the narrow interest of his master.

Those of us who know El-Alawa inside out know that this is not the
first time he is editing a pro-government paper and he has never allowed
his commitment to his master to overshadow his sense of news judgement.
Seven years ago, I was at the Daily Times of Nigeria with El-Alawa and
as the Chief sub-editor who must edit all stories going into the paper,
he did his work deligently and was never involved in the dirty politics
of the Daily Times. This was however the climax of Babangida’s clampdown
on the Nigerian media and I still remember how difficult it was for
those of us who were anti -Babangida regime to operate in the state-
owned publication- Daily Times.

Unlike some of us who turned the newsroom to a human rights office,
El-Alawa maintained a neutral position. This later earned him another
state job as the editor of The Herald newspaper owned by one of the
states in Nigeria. Before El-Alawa took over the editorship of the
Herald, the publication was on the brink of collapse, but the
publication suddenly woke up from its slumber.

But the state government which thought El-Alawa was doing a wonderful
job at the Daily Times could not cope with his level headedness and
decided to starve the publication of fund and even close down the
publication. The Daily Times quickly recalled El-Alawa back to post, but
he never went back and when The Herald was resurrected, some months
later, El-Alawa, rather than going back to lobby to be re-absorbed as
others did tendered his letter of resignation.

This eventually led to the return to base (Ghana) of the new editor
of The Democrat to start the New Ghanaian. Unfortunately, the financier
of the publication did not meet the required financial support to
sustain it and he voluntarily signed the death warrant of the
publication.

Having known the new editor of the Democrat this well with the above
qualities in display in the above scenario; coupled with the fact that
he was three times journalist of the year in Ghana as a journalist with
the Graphic after his University education, I think I am comfortable to
say that he has the competence, experience and confidence to tell the
owners of The Democrat how to run a political or pro-government
newspaper such that the interest of the society will not be jeopardised.

While I am not saying that the new editor of The Democrat is a saint,
I wish this piece will make the financial backers of The Democrat have a
change of attitude towards the publication. They should realise that,
the publication can even serve their interest and champion their cause
better if better run. Propaganda at times may have negative effect if
not properly handled. This is why The Democrat, the new team led by El-
Alawa and the financial backers should go back to the drawing board to
think seriously about how the publication can serve the Ghanaian
society, rather than the Castle.

This is my Christmas gift to the new Democrat. Alhaji, sorry for not
attending the launching despite a personal invitation extended to me. I
will make up for that when we meet. But remember to reserve my big
Guinness, so that I can think big. See you next week.

The budget deficit of 4.5 % of GDP recorded in 1995 can
partly be attributed to overspending in the roads and highways sector of
the economy. The data is contained in the Annual Report of the IMF for
1997.

In the report it was noted that though Ghana had made some progress
in its adjustment and reforms effort, under the Enhanced Structural
Adjustment Fund (ESAF) - a facility used by low income states facing
protracted balance of payments problems, the record has been
disappointing. Inflation in 1995 was uncomfortably high, 120 % in July
and 70% in September.

Savings and investments were also quite weak. The gross national
savings and investment stood at 16.4 and 18.6 % of GDP for the period.
In comparison, Korea had 35.1 and 37.1 % whilst Malaysia had 32.4 and
40.1 % for savings and investment during the same period.

In the banking and mining sectors, there was a generally favourable
performance but revenue from petroleum and import taxes fell short of
expectations. The low private savings and investment response was
ascribed by the report to a lack of confidence caused by high inflation
and policy slippages in mid 1995.

Steps so far taken to combat the reverses in policy implementation
are said to have yielded positive results in the first quarter of 1996.
On fiscal policy, the measures taken to regularise outstanding arrears
to contractors and to bring road construction under control, were seen
as encouraging.

The report also recommended de-emphasising trade taxes and a
broadening of the tax base - something that the Value Added Tax (VAT)
scheme is to cater for. Private involvement in the economy and a
reduction in the financial burden imposed on the economy by state
enterprises were also recommended. The oil sector must also be further
restructured and though the report saw the de-regulation in the
marketing and pricing of oil, it expressed concern about providing the
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), with official guarantees.

In order to balance competition while securing a free market, and
quality control in the cocoa sector, the report recommended a reduction
in export taxes. On the whole, the directors said with sustained firm
policies Ghana’s external debt situation was manageable and that the
balance of payment position looked strong enough to withstand modest
shocks provided that a close monitoring of the debt situation is
maintained. Incidentally, the total external debt for the country stood
at $5.3 billion by the end of 1996.

Perhaps, many people are not aware of it, but come March,
1998, and the Water Resource Commission will be inaugurated in Ghana.
The functions of this commission which is being set up by an act passed
by parliament in December 1996 will include an integrated management of
water resources.

According to Dr. Kwaku Osafo, the water Resource Management study co-
ordinator the second in the series of Workshops which will be held at
Coconut Grove Beach Resort, Elmina from 3rd to 5th November, will serve
among others as a national forum in which Civil Society will help evolve
a consensus on water resource management issues.

“Also findings are expected to provide regulations and serve as a
data base for the Water Resource Commission when it comes into effect”,
Dr. Osafo explained, adding “The Water Resource Commission is expected
to be an apex body charged with the responsibility for managing the
country’s water resource in a socially acceptable, environmentally
sustainable and economically efficient manner”.

According to Dr. Osafo, Ghana’s water resources are no longer
abundant and are under increasing pressure from growing populations as
well as pollutions as well as from pollution and degradation of
catchment areas. “It is expected that, this workshop would encourage
stakeholders involvement and provide a forum for deliberations on the
study before it is accepted as a policy,” he said.

The public is expected to pay a utilisation fee according to the
amount of water collection from rivers, streams and lakes when the
commission is inaugurated next march. The water resources study which
comprises five separate building blocks includes the Social, Economic
and Political context, Regulation, Economics, Financing, Institutions
and Participation Information and International waters.

One significant component of the International Waters building block
is that, it deals with issues of transboundary waters, and in particular
the Volta River which is shared among several countries including Ghana,
Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Togo and Benin. Another important
characteristic of this study is the fact that its building blocks and
consultation process is being managed and implemented by Ghanaians drawn
from the public and private sectors and from the acadamia.

As to whether it is ideal for Ghanaians to pay for raw-water, the
Water Resource Management has already accepted that. At the recent
revived “Meet the Press” held in Accra, the Minister for Food and
Agriculture, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, reiterated this fact when he said in an
answer to a question, “nothing is free in Ghana today”, However, the
workshop on Nov. 3rd to 5th will decide whether all Ghanaians agree or
not since the secretariat is still gathering information on them. “If we
are not careful, the World Bank will soon ask us to pay for the air we
breathe”, remarked an interest group who refused to go on record.

The issues of sustainable development now feature prominently
on the agenda of almost all developing countries, especially, as we move
towards the year 2000.

This consciousness is arising from the fact that many developing
countries are now awake to the fast rate of environmental degradation
and the rapid depletion of natural resources, upon which most of these
countries’ economies have relied heavily in the past. What remains to be
done, after all the forests, gold, diamond, rivers, lakes and land are
gone is the crucial question now.

Sustainability then, must be the answer, the wise and judicious use
of resources to a level or standard below which irreparable damage would
have been caused to the environment.

The friends of the Earth - Ghana, in collaboration with the Carl
Duisberg Society, Ghana, under the auspices of the German Embassy in
Ghana, organised a three-day seminar this September to discuss the issue
of sustainability in Ghana. The theme for the seminar was, “Promoting a
Sustainable Society in Ghana.” Waste Management and Pollution Control:
Pre-requisite to Achieving a Sustainable Future, Sustaining the Forests
Resources of Ghana - The Role of the Local Communities and Mining in a
Sustainable Environment in Ghana among others were the topics discussed.

Mr S.B. Akuffo, a water and environmental Consultant, speaking on
waste management and pollution control said the issues of waste
management and pollution control which are very much related, are
professional matters that must be treated as such. He regretted that “in
this country, professionalism appears to have been sidelined in several
areas and especially so in the areas of planning and planning control,”
he insisted this has led to total chaos in our urban development
processes. These pitfalls in our national development planning schedule
has invariably stalked all efforts at waste management and pollution
control, resulting in severe pollution problems in our urban
communities.

Mr Akuffo again suggested that, to control pollution in our urban
communities, the development of infrastructure must always proceed and
direct growth, something he termed, “capital investment planning”, which
in his opinion is the most sustainable way of approaching urban growth.
On his part Mr John Asmah of the Institute of Professional Foresters,
speaking on the role of local communities in sustaining the forest
resources of Ghana, reveals the extent of destruction in our forests
which is done with the active connivance of local people.

Reports indicate that loggers, farmers, and hunters have invaded
Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve (KSNR) near Ejura in the Ashanti Region and
are fast plundering it through their intensive and extensive illegal
activities. In another development, it has been discovered that some
illegal loggers in some parts of the Western Region have the blessing
and tacit support of local Chiefs and prominent individuals in the area.
With the rate of illegal felling of trees rising each day, it has now
been recognised that the current consumption of timber cannot be met
from the national forces.

Mr. Asmah therefore, suggested among others that, local people could
enhance the protection, sustainable management and conservation of
forests and the greening of degraded areas by rehabilitation,
afforestation and reforestation. They could as well promote the
efficient utilisation and assessment to recover the full value of goods
and services provided by forest lands and woodlands. Local communities
could also reduce logging and sawmill waste in the forest which are
currently known to be around 25% and 40% respectively. This can be
achieved by using improved manufacturing techniques that make full use
of forest products.

Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, the 1996 Presidential candidate of
the NPP, has returned from Germany after attending the International
Academy for Leadership Conference in Berlin.

In a chat with the press at his residence, Mr. Kufuor said, issues
discussed at the conference among other things included, market economy,
decentralisation, promotion of equality of opportunity on the
educational front and respect for the freedom of the press. The
supremacy of the rule of law according to Mr. Kufuor was also
deliberated on the necessary under-pining for the maintenance and
sustenance of democratic governance.

He said in line with established liberal traditions, the conference
agreed unanimously that as far as possible the business of Government
should be centred on the protection of life, liberty and property of the
individual citizen. Mr. Kufuor who was the only delegate invited from
West Africa explained that the principle of the safety net was also
agreed upon as essential to guarantee the dignified life for the
handicapped, the aged and the youth of every society.

The conference which was attended by 40 delegates from 35 countries
around the World was addressed by Mr. Geingob, the Namibian Prime
Minister who was the guest of honour. The former German Minister of
Economy, Count Otto Lambsdorff chaired the conference.

A Christian charity organisation, Overseas Caring Outreach
International Charity, is to establish its sub-office in Ghana early
next year.

The organisation, whose aim is to impress on churches especially to
embark on projects to mitigate the needs of its people in the various
communities, is an affiliation of the United Kingdom based Gospel
Evangelical International church. Disclosing these to newsmen during a
three day Mighty Victory Africa In Crisis crusade here in Swedru, the
President of the Church, Rev. Dr. Olasoji Gabriel noted that,
accommodation in particular is becoming increasingly unaffordable for
most Ghanaians especially the low income groups. He implored landlords
to give tenants low pay house rents and to also reduce the advance
payment of more than three months to help the low income group pay their
rents on hiring basis.

Rev. Olasoji emphasised that, Christians as salt and light of the
would should not be money-conscious but be caring and have a
comprehensive programme that will be of assistance to both the
government and the people in general. He said, the time had come when
every worker should join hands with the caring outreach programme by
devoting an hour of his time to work voluntarily for the poor and the
oppressed.

Rev. Dr. Olasoji Gabriel disclosed that the caring outreach programme
covers the disabled, single and lonely people, the aged, the poor and
the destitute, abused children and women, adding that, the success of
the programme would depend to a large extent on volunteers who are
specialists in their fields of endeavours but unemployed.

The appointed National Overseer of Gospel Evangelical International
Church in Ghana Rev. O.K. Appiah commended teachers in the performance
of their duties and noted that as a unique profession, the time had come
for them to get involved seriously in the caring outreach programme. He
observed that, teachers by virtue of their professional standing stand
the better chance of appealing to the conscience of the people
especially the school children to desist from drug addiction,, teenage
pregnancy, truancy and other related stubborn acts that go a long way to
affect the society as a whole.

The city of Accra is said to be 100 years old and a colossal
sum of 100 million cedis has been voted for the anniversary
celebrations. Celebrations indeed!!! Can someone tell me what is worth
celebrating about the city of Accra under the present unhygienic
conditions in the city?

Accra as a city is an embarrassment and the Mayor of Accra and his
Administration ought to reorder their priorities, and redouble their
efforts at keeping the city clean instead of celebrating in the filth
that is gradually engulfing the city. Accra stinks!

My publisher has always described Accra as a big joke, compared to
other cities and he cannot be faulted on that. Certainly, the 100
million cedis earmarked for the celebrations can be better used to help
clean up the city. It’s no secret that Accra is a very poorly planned
city. People are building haphazardly all over the place even though we
have a Town and Country Planning Department. It’s amazing, isn’t it?

I am informed that in properly planned cities such as Abidjan and
Harare, residential areas are properly demarcated, roads, electricity
and water are provided before people start building. Why can’t we have
this in Accra? The situation in Accra is so messy that some people
cannot even drive to their homes. They have to park their cars elsewhere
and walk because their houses are hemmed in.

When it comes to building construction in Accra, it appears the
situation is one of might is right. People who have the money are able
to bulldoze their way through with the connivance of the approving
authorities, after envelopes have changed hands. This explains why
people have built in places where there should be roads and drains and
also why some houses are completely hemmed in.

What are the AMA authorities doing about this bad situation? Apart
from the poor planning of the city of Accra, the next most appalling
feature is the very repulsive stench that greets visitors to various
parts of the city. Sometimes one tends to think that either the AMA
authorities do not visit the “Akatseimi” (the corners of the city) and
so they don’t know what goes on there, or they do visit these areas and
are aware of the insanitary conditions but that they are completely
helpless.

The stench comes from stagnant water in the gutters and also the
indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters. It is common knowledge
that when it rains some residents take advantage of the rain and empty
their dust bins and chamber pots into gutters in front of their houses.
What is the AMA doing about this?

Woe unto you if you attend a funeral in Accra and you are seated near
a choked gutter. I have always told friends that if luck deserts you and
you slip and fall into any smelly gutter, not even the best perfumed
soap in the world can wash away the stench. You will carry the stench
for the rest of your life. If it is your shoe or sandals or any item
that accidentally falls into a gutter, forget it!

The occasional clean-up campaigns have had very little effect for
various reasons. One reason is that the refuse is dumped at the edge of
the gutter and with time, it finds its way back into the gutter. No work
done. Sometimes I wonder why the media houses cover these clean-up
campaigns and waste precious air time and space publicising them.

The AMA from time to time takes delivery of new refuse trucks and
cesspit emptiers and these events receive so much publicity in the media
but after a short while, these vehicles go off the road for various
reasons, mainly poor handling of the vehicles by the drivers who reek of
alcohol most of the time and poor maintenance of the vehicles.

It is hoped that drivers of AMA trucks will change their attitude for
the better after the just ended eight week in-service training programme
for them. It is also hoped that during the training period, the drivers
discussed AMA trucks which litter the streets as they convey refuse to
the various dumping sites.

One would want to see a change in the conduct of AMA drivers on our
roads after eight weeks of training in road traffic regulations, review
of the highway code, causes and prevention of accidents, daily vehicle
checks and defensive driving.

At the same time, one would also want to see an improvement in refuse
collection and disposal in the city. One cannot discuss the AMA and
sanitation in Accra without mentioning the activities of the convicted
murderer Warrant Officer Salifu Amankwa and his guards in Accra. One
finds it difficult to understand why pictures cannot be taken at the
Kwame Nkrumah Circle, for instance. Is this area also a security zone
like the Osu Castle? I am told the answer is negative and if that is so,
why can’t photo journalists take pictures at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle?
Is it because Salifu Amankwa and his guards are afraid of their
brutalities being captured on cameras?

They may be doing a good job in the city of Accra but their method of
brutalising people who fall foul of their laws at the Circle and other
places are most inhuman. People’s rights must be respected, no matter
what, and it is obligatory that people are treated like human beings.
The Mayor of Accra is a good speaker who easily talks his way out of
problems in a very relaxed manner, especially when he appears on
television. He should have his priorities right and have a clean
environment in the city of Accra and then he can blow millions of cedis
in lavish anniversary celebrations. For the moment, the celebrations are
uncalled for because Accra stinks.

Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the editor of Weekly Insight and the
deputy General Secretary of peoples Convention Party (PCP) has condemned
the Commonwealth leaders for not addressing the human rights abuses in
Africa in their recent meeting at Edinburgh, Scotland.

Kwesi made this remark at the opening ceremony of a five-day regional
seminar organised by the Commonwealth Press Union (Ghanaian section) at
the British Council, Accra Ghana on Monday this week. According to
Kwesi, the Commonwealth Leaders were busy uncorking champagnes and
drinking whiskies and were unable to impose sanctions on the General
Sani Abacha regime in Nigeria for its human rights abuses and also
failed to address the human rights abuses in other African countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yaw Amfo Kwakye, Chairman,
Commonwealth Press Union, Ghanaian section said that the workshop could
not bring together many participants from the West Africa sub-region
because of the political instability in certain parts of the region
which he said has in turn resulted in the emasculation of Press Freedom
in the affected areas.

“Indeed, this particular workshop should have been held in Freetown,
Sierra Leone but as you are sadly aware, the tragic events unfolding in
that country unfortunately would not permit it” he added.

Highlighting the aims of the association, the CPU Chairman said that
the supreme aim of the association is to protect the human interest of
its members “To accomplish this, great attention is paid to the
professional development of the employees of its members as well as the
members themselves” The chairman said.

The five day seminar which started on Monday 27 October and ends
Friday 31, 1997 has as its broad theme: Newsdesk Reporting, to examine
what is a perfect newsdesk with emphasis on covering the expected and
unexpected news. The workshop is being handled by Mr. Neville Stack, a
British journalist with over 40 years experience in the printed press
including 15 years as editor of renown British newspapers like The Sun
and Leceister Mercury.