Ghanaian merchants who import rice from La Cote d'Iviore have denied allegations that they connive with officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to engage in smuggling and tax evasion to the detriment of the country.
They further refuted accusations that they were involved in arms and cocaine importation into the country.
Rather, they said, they were genuine businessmen and women going about their legitimate enterprises to earn a living for themselves and their families, as well as contribute to the development of the state.
Addressing a press conference at Kofi Badu Krom, a town on the Ghana-La Cote d'Iviore border in the Dormaa West Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Kwabena Nketiah-Dardom, a spokesperson for the importers, said they had not connived with any CEPS official at the border to evade taxes due the state.
The importers were reacting to a publication in an Accra daily captioned “Smuggling Scandal Uncovered, Billions Go Down The Drain As CEPS Officials Join Smuggling Syndicate To Loot Mother Ghana”.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom described the allegations as unfounded, false and calculated to kill indigenous Ghanaian businesses which had contributed significantly towards national revenue generation.
He said they were a group of law abiding citizens engaged in genuine business of rice importation and, therefore, debunked suggestions that they had constituted themselves into any smuggling syndicate.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom, who showed some of the documents covering the taxes paid to the state at the press conference, said they had been in the rice importation business for over seven years now and had been diligent in honouring all their tax obligations to the state.
“All documents covering the taxes and duties that we have paid since we commenced our businesses over seven years ago are available for any interested party to check," he stated.
He debunked the assertion that a 40 footer container truckload of rice attracted a duty of GH¢50, saying the duties ranged from a minimum of GH¢500 to GH¢23,000, depending on the consignment.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
TWO MINISTRIES TO PUBLISH ROYALTIES...Paid to assemblies (PAGE 16)
THE Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is liaising with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to ensure that all royalties paid to the various district assemblies are published in the dailies to ensure their judicious use for the benefit of the people.
The move is also to promote transparency and accountability at the local level of governance and also to ensure that all stakeholders, especially nananom, have a say in the use of such monies received by the assemblies so as to initiate development projects for the benefit of the people.
The Minister of Lands and a Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said this at a durbar organised in his honour by the Ahafo South Divisional Council at Dadiasoba in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region to congratulate him on his appointment as cabinet minister.
The membership of the council, comprising divisional chiefs from Abuom, Ayomso, Mehame and Dadiasoaba honoured the minister by giving him a traditional title, Oseadeeyo Alhaji Collins Dauda. He was presented with a smock and two rams. A local private radio station, Nananom FM, a subsidiary of Angel group of companies, also presented him with two bulls at the durbar for his contribution towards the growth of the station.
Also honoured by the council was the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo. He was also presented with a smock.
Alhaji Dauda, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, stated that apart from the MLGRD publishing the royalties received by the assemblies, the government had also tasked the ministry to publish the common fund received by the assemblies so that Nananom and the people could hold District Chief Executives (DCEs) accountable for how they utilise the funds which were for development to bring improvement in their living conditions.
He charged the yet-to-be swornin District and Municipal Chief executives in the region, most of who were present at the durbar, to make provision of social amenities in deprived communities of their respective districts a top priority to alleviate the plight of the people.
He thanked the council for the honour done him and promised to serve his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Alhaji Dauda called on the chiefs and people of the communities to rally behind the government to bring into fruition all the electoral promises made to them .
He pledged that by the close of the year, the government would reshape all the bad roads in the area to make travelling on them comfortable, adding that that would also boost commerce.
The Asutifi South MP also called on the people who cultivate cocoa in the various forest reserves in the area to desist from such act, since the government had plans to start the re-afforestation project to revamp the depleted forests.
For his part, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the council for the honour done them and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of the Brong-Ahafo Region to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, called on traditional rulers who were fanning ethnic sentiments in their various traditional areas to put a stop to it, since it was a potential threat to national unity and social integration.
The Ayomsohene, Oyeeman Appiah Kubi, who read the speech on behalf of the council, had earlier called on the government as a matter of urgency to reconstruct the Mahame Junction-Sienchem road and provide a new bridge on the Tano River.
He also called for the rehabilitation of the Goaso-Ayomso, Nkasiem-Nkrankrom, Sankore-Abuom and Goaso-Tepa roads, since their deteriorated state was hampering the progress of the Ahafo area.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Madam Cecilia Johnson, members of the Council of State, Mr I.K. Adjei Mensah, a former Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and some party functionaries at the regional level, including Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary.
The move is also to promote transparency and accountability at the local level of governance and also to ensure that all stakeholders, especially nananom, have a say in the use of such monies received by the assemblies so as to initiate development projects for the benefit of the people.
The Minister of Lands and a Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said this at a durbar organised in his honour by the Ahafo South Divisional Council at Dadiasoba in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region to congratulate him on his appointment as cabinet minister.
The membership of the council, comprising divisional chiefs from Abuom, Ayomso, Mehame and Dadiasoaba honoured the minister by giving him a traditional title, Oseadeeyo Alhaji Collins Dauda. He was presented with a smock and two rams. A local private radio station, Nananom FM, a subsidiary of Angel group of companies, also presented him with two bulls at the durbar for his contribution towards the growth of the station.
Also honoured by the council was the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo. He was also presented with a smock.
Alhaji Dauda, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, stated that apart from the MLGRD publishing the royalties received by the assemblies, the government had also tasked the ministry to publish the common fund received by the assemblies so that Nananom and the people could hold District Chief Executives (DCEs) accountable for how they utilise the funds which were for development to bring improvement in their living conditions.
He charged the yet-to-be swornin District and Municipal Chief executives in the region, most of who were present at the durbar, to make provision of social amenities in deprived communities of their respective districts a top priority to alleviate the plight of the people.
He thanked the council for the honour done him and promised to serve his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Alhaji Dauda called on the chiefs and people of the communities to rally behind the government to bring into fruition all the electoral promises made to them .
He pledged that by the close of the year, the government would reshape all the bad roads in the area to make travelling on them comfortable, adding that that would also boost commerce.
The Asutifi South MP also called on the people who cultivate cocoa in the various forest reserves in the area to desist from such act, since the government had plans to start the re-afforestation project to revamp the depleted forests.
For his part, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the council for the honour done them and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of the Brong-Ahafo Region to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, called on traditional rulers who were fanning ethnic sentiments in their various traditional areas to put a stop to it, since it was a potential threat to national unity and social integration.
The Ayomsohene, Oyeeman Appiah Kubi, who read the speech on behalf of the council, had earlier called on the government as a matter of urgency to reconstruct the Mahame Junction-Sienchem road and provide a new bridge on the Tano River.
He also called for the rehabilitation of the Goaso-Ayomso, Nkasiem-Nkrankrom, Sankore-Abuom and Goaso-Tepa roads, since their deteriorated state was hampering the progress of the Ahafo area.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Madam Cecilia Johnson, members of the Council of State, Mr I.K. Adjei Mensah, a former Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and some party functionaries at the regional level, including Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TAIN ASSEMBLY STARTS CAMPAIGN ON SWINE FLU (PAGE 21)
THE Tain District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Information Services Department (ISD) has embarked on a campaign to sensitise the people to the swine flu.
The 12-day campaign will cover all the five zones in the district through durbars and talk shows.
Briefing members of the team before their departure from Nsawkaw, the district capital, the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hayford Kyere, stated that even though the virus had not been reported in the country, it was prudent for the people to be educated on it because “Prevention is better than cure”.
He urged the team to pursue the campaign vigorously in order to make the desired impact.
Mr Kyere also called on personnel of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Environmental Health Department to monitor the virus in the district.
“We are starting early because of the vast nature of the district and its proximity to Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.
Mr Kyere appealed to pig farmers in the district to report cases of unusual death of their animals and other strange occurrences in their farms to the appropriate authorities.
The co-ordinating director also called on the team to educate the public on the need to cook their pork well before consumption.
He added that pig farmers should see the current situation as a blessing, since locally bred pigs were the safest and therefore urged the public to patronise them.
The 12-day campaign will cover all the five zones in the district through durbars and talk shows.
Briefing members of the team before their departure from Nsawkaw, the district capital, the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hayford Kyere, stated that even though the virus had not been reported in the country, it was prudent for the people to be educated on it because “Prevention is better than cure”.
He urged the team to pursue the campaign vigorously in order to make the desired impact.
Mr Kyere also called on personnel of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Environmental Health Department to monitor the virus in the district.
“We are starting early because of the vast nature of the district and its proximity to Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.
Mr Kyere appealed to pig farmers in the district to report cases of unusual death of their animals and other strange occurrences in their farms to the appropriate authorities.
The co-ordinating director also called on the team to educate the public on the need to cook their pork well before consumption.
He added that pig farmers should see the current situation as a blessing, since locally bred pigs were the safest and therefore urged the public to patronise them.
SEIKWA STUDENTS GREET DCE (PAGE 17)
THE Seikwa Tertiary Students Association (SETSA) has congratulated Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah on his confirmation as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tain.
The Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region assumed such importance in the political history of the country when it became the decider for the winner of the Presidential run-off in the 2008 election.
A letter signed by the president of the association, Mr Addade Noah Justice, and copied to the press in Sunyani said the association had confidence in the capabilities of the new DCE and, therefore, pledged its support to assist him in his administration.
The association noted that Tain was bedevilled with numerous challenges such as poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“It is our hope that you will do your best to create unity which will enable the district to overcome these challenges.”
SETSA further commended the assembly members for the smooth manner in which the confirmation was done, adding that it was a sign of political maturity which was worthy of emulation.
The association also called on the DCE to involve the youth in his decision-making processes in order to prepare them for future leadership positions.
It reiterated the need for the district to do away with political sentiments and focus on the development of the district.
The association also urged chiefs of the area to use their divine wisdom to direct the DCE in order to give the district a facelift.
Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist, emerged victorious in the first round of the confirmation exercise at Nsawkaw, with 78.3 per cent of the total votes cast.
The Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region assumed such importance in the political history of the country when it became the decider for the winner of the Presidential run-off in the 2008 election.
A letter signed by the president of the association, Mr Addade Noah Justice, and copied to the press in Sunyani said the association had confidence in the capabilities of the new DCE and, therefore, pledged its support to assist him in his administration.
The association noted that Tain was bedevilled with numerous challenges such as poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“It is our hope that you will do your best to create unity which will enable the district to overcome these challenges.”
SETSA further commended the assembly members for the smooth manner in which the confirmation was done, adding that it was a sign of political maturity which was worthy of emulation.
The association also called on the DCE to involve the youth in his decision-making processes in order to prepare them for future leadership positions.
It reiterated the need for the district to do away with political sentiments and focus on the development of the district.
The association also urged chiefs of the area to use their divine wisdom to direct the DCE in order to give the district a facelift.
Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist, emerged victorious in the first round of the confirmation exercise at Nsawkaw, with 78.3 per cent of the total votes cast.
Monday, May 18, 2009
JAMAN NORTH, SOUTH CONFIRM DCES (PAGE 13)
THE Jaman North and Jaman South District Assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region have confirmed the nomination of their district chief executives (DCEs), bringing to 21 out of 22 persons whose nominations have been confirmed in the region.
The Jaman North District Assembly confirmed nomination of Hajia Amadu Amina, while the nomination of Mr Julius Atta Bediako was also confirmed by the Jaman South District.
Hajia Amina, 54, a Senior Midwifery Superintendent of the Jaman North District Government Hospital at Sampa, the district capital, polled 27 votes out of the 29 valid votes cast, representing 91.3 per cent of the total votes.
The assembly also elected Mr Twene Adu Asare as its Presiding Member.
Members of the Jaman South Assembly, at their emergency meeting held at Drobo, the district capital, also gave their approval to Mr Bediako, a 59-year-old District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asunafo North Municipality to be its MCE. He polled 30 out of the 37 votes cast.
The election was conducted by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Arthur Yeboah.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku; the Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Mr Yaw Maama Afful; the Jaman South District Coordinating Director, Mr Muslim Mohammed Saani, and some traditional rulers.
Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme was elected the Presiding Member for the Jaman South District Assembly.
In their acceptance speeches, Hajia Amina and Mr Bediako thanked members of their respective assemblies for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work with all stakeholders to ensure rapid socio-economic development of thier districts.
The only assembly left in the region to confirm the President's nominee is the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly, which rejected the nominee, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, at the assembly's special meeting.
Mr Agyekum, who has to present himself before the assembly for the second time for his confirmation next week, failed to get the two-thirds majority of votes required to get the approval.
He was the defeated parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nkoranza South Constituency in the 2008 election.
The Jaman North District Assembly confirmed nomination of Hajia Amadu Amina, while the nomination of Mr Julius Atta Bediako was also confirmed by the Jaman South District.
Hajia Amina, 54, a Senior Midwifery Superintendent of the Jaman North District Government Hospital at Sampa, the district capital, polled 27 votes out of the 29 valid votes cast, representing 91.3 per cent of the total votes.
The assembly also elected Mr Twene Adu Asare as its Presiding Member.
Members of the Jaman South Assembly, at their emergency meeting held at Drobo, the district capital, also gave their approval to Mr Bediako, a 59-year-old District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asunafo North Municipality to be its MCE. He polled 30 out of the 37 votes cast.
The election was conducted by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Arthur Yeboah.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku; the Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Mr Yaw Maama Afful; the Jaman South District Coordinating Director, Mr Muslim Mohammed Saani, and some traditional rulers.
Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme was elected the Presiding Member for the Jaman South District Assembly.
In their acceptance speeches, Hajia Amina and Mr Bediako thanked members of their respective assemblies for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work with all stakeholders to ensure rapid socio-economic development of thier districts.
The only assembly left in the region to confirm the President's nominee is the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly, which rejected the nominee, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, at the assembly's special meeting.
Mr Agyekum, who has to present himself before the assembly for the second time for his confirmation next week, failed to get the two-thirds majority of votes required to get the approval.
He was the defeated parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nkoranza South Constituency in the 2008 election.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
YAKAM COMES ALIVE IN KINTAMPO (GRAPHIC SHOWBIZ, PAGE 3)
By Samuel Duodu
Kintampo, one of the major towns in the Brong Ahafo Region considered to be the geographical centre of Ghana can boast of many tourist attractions, but not enough top-class hotels for the many local and foreign visitors to the three northern regions of the country.
Tourists, travellers, executives and people from all walks of lives have no cause to worry anymore now that Yakam Hotel has warmed its way onto the hospitality scene.
Yakam Hotel is situated at the approaches to the Kintampo township along the Techiman-Kintampo-Tamale road .The hotel has nine guest rooms that are well served by air-conditioners, satellite television, restaurant and other comfort facilities.
Besides the facilities, the hotel provides the best of green world for the relaxation of its guests and its serene environment makes it an ideal place for those who want to enjoy home-away-from-home.
Guests to the hotel enjoy the executive, king, queen and standard room options, have their peace of mind and privacy. Those who have already tried Yakam have described it as a chosen destination for business travellers and visitors who want to experience true holidays in the centre of Ghana.
While on stay at the hotel, guests can visit the various tourist attractions in and around Kintampo such as the Kintampo and Fuller waterfalls which are about 10 and 20 minutes drive respectively from the hotel, the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, the Bono Manso Slave routes, Tanoboase caves and monastery and even the Mole National Park.
Mr. Ampaw Nyantakyi, the Hotel Manger told Showbiz that Yakam was the only facility in the Kintampo North Municipality that can compare to any choice hotel in any of the big cities in the country.
He said the hotel has hosted several personalities and executives travelling to up north and the neighbouring landlocked countries, tourists, scientists and resource persons to the Kintampo Health Research Centre, where scientists are currently conducting tests on a new malaria vaccine and visitors to the municipal assembly.
The hotel manager continued that the hotel was ideal for travellers who wanted to have a break on their journey to up north and the landlocked countries since Kintampo serves as a midpoint between the north and the south of the country.
Mr. Nyantakyi added that the hotel has plans to increase its rooms to 15, add a conference room and a one stop internet and secretarial centre by the close of this year.
Kintampo, one of the major towns in the Brong Ahafo Region considered to be the geographical centre of Ghana can boast of many tourist attractions, but not enough top-class hotels for the many local and foreign visitors to the three northern regions of the country.
Tourists, travellers, executives and people from all walks of lives have no cause to worry anymore now that Yakam Hotel has warmed its way onto the hospitality scene.
Yakam Hotel is situated at the approaches to the Kintampo township along the Techiman-Kintampo-Tamale road .The hotel has nine guest rooms that are well served by air-conditioners, satellite television, restaurant and other comfort facilities.
Besides the facilities, the hotel provides the best of green world for the relaxation of its guests and its serene environment makes it an ideal place for those who want to enjoy home-away-from-home.
Guests to the hotel enjoy the executive, king, queen and standard room options, have their peace of mind and privacy. Those who have already tried Yakam have described it as a chosen destination for business travellers and visitors who want to experience true holidays in the centre of Ghana.
While on stay at the hotel, guests can visit the various tourist attractions in and around Kintampo such as the Kintampo and Fuller waterfalls which are about 10 and 20 minutes drive respectively from the hotel, the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, the Bono Manso Slave routes, Tanoboase caves and monastery and even the Mole National Park.
Mr. Ampaw Nyantakyi, the Hotel Manger told Showbiz that Yakam was the only facility in the Kintampo North Municipality that can compare to any choice hotel in any of the big cities in the country.
He said the hotel has hosted several personalities and executives travelling to up north and the neighbouring landlocked countries, tourists, scientists and resource persons to the Kintampo Health Research Centre, where scientists are currently conducting tests on a new malaria vaccine and visitors to the municipal assembly.
The hotel manager continued that the hotel was ideal for travellers who wanted to have a break on their journey to up north and the landlocked countries since Kintampo serves as a midpoint between the north and the south of the country.
Mr. Nyantakyi added that the hotel has plans to increase its rooms to 15, add a conference room and a one stop internet and secretarial centre by the close of this year.
KOTOKO FALL AT BEREKUM (BACK PAGE)
Berekum Arsenal came back from a goal deficit to defeat defending champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, 3-1 in their Glo Premier League match at Berekum Golden City Park yesterday.
Kotoko drew first blood after just 10 minutes when Alex Asamoah’s thunderous grounder from outside the box, following a pass from Louis Agyemang, zoomed into the net to wild cheers from the fans.
Arsenal, who were determined to prove a point, and also to maintain their home invincibility in recent games, responded with a flurry of attacks from all angles and succeeded in cancelling the lead through a header by Prince Attakora Gyimah.
Substitute Richard Awuah put Arsenal ahead in the 78th minute with a clinical strike after the Kotoko defence failed to clear their lines.
Francis Aggrey then made victory certain in the 83rd minute when he took advantage of loose marking by the Kotoko defence to score the third goal for his side.
The early goals brought the stadium alive and promised an excitement that few might have anticipated despite the toughness of the tie. Thereafter it was Arsenal who kept the pressure on the Fabulous boys whose midfield and defence could not hold as they kept committing blunders in their vital area, thereby putting pressure on goalkeeper Soulama Abdulai till the end of the first half.
Immediately after recess, Arsenal lifted their game while Kotoko, who could not find their rhythm, chased their shadows with their central defence leaking badly.
Kotoko exhausted their substitution list during the second half, but that could not alter the trend of the game as Arsenal kept the pressure to score twice within a space of five minutes to seal victory and avenge recent defeats to Kotoko as Asamankese-based Referee Vincent Otoo ended proceedings.
Kotoko drew first blood after just 10 minutes when Alex Asamoah’s thunderous grounder from outside the box, following a pass from Louis Agyemang, zoomed into the net to wild cheers from the fans.
Arsenal, who were determined to prove a point, and also to maintain their home invincibility in recent games, responded with a flurry of attacks from all angles and succeeded in cancelling the lead through a header by Prince Attakora Gyimah.
Substitute Richard Awuah put Arsenal ahead in the 78th minute with a clinical strike after the Kotoko defence failed to clear their lines.
Francis Aggrey then made victory certain in the 83rd minute when he took advantage of loose marking by the Kotoko defence to score the third goal for his side.
The early goals brought the stadium alive and promised an excitement that few might have anticipated despite the toughness of the tie. Thereafter it was Arsenal who kept the pressure on the Fabulous boys whose midfield and defence could not hold as they kept committing blunders in their vital area, thereby putting pressure on goalkeeper Soulama Abdulai till the end of the first half.
Immediately after recess, Arsenal lifted their game while Kotoko, who could not find their rhythm, chased their shadows with their central defence leaking badly.
Kotoko exhausted their substitution list during the second half, but that could not alter the trend of the game as Arsenal kept the pressure to score twice within a space of five minutes to seal victory and avenge recent defeats to Kotoko as Asamankese-based Referee Vincent Otoo ended proceedings.
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