Floods: Mills angered by ‘harmful effects of galamsey’

President Atta Mills has expressed fury over the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, which he blamed for aggravating the flood situation in some parts of the country.

Some districts in the Volta and Eastern regions have ravaged by floods that have so far claimed five lives, submerged several communities, destroyed farm lands and displaced over 5,000 people.

Touring the flood hit areas, President Mills told residents of Akim Oda Zongo in the Eastern Region, Monday, that the lack of concerted efforts to curb galamsey activities in the country has caused serious calamities on innocent people.

“When we started talking about the harmful effect of galamsey, there were people who did not appreciate it” noting that the raging flood is “a practical demonstration of the harmful effects of galamsey. [Hoping] we will therefore get the cooperation of the people.”

Eastern Regional Minister Dr Kwesi Apea–Kubi was equally incensed by the activities of the illegal miners and advocated that law on their activities should be amended and made more stringent for those who flagrantly abused it.

He said the $200 fine imposed on their operations is not punitive and deterrent enough.

The Minister who was briefing the president on his arrival asked that the issue of illegal mining is tackled “seriously” and made non-partisan.

“We need to tighten the law, in terms of enforcement, and also punishment. Currently as it stands, a person who is taken to court for illegal mining is fined $200.”

Dr Apea-Kubi was not happy that offenders are made to pay what in his view a meager amount, and even more worrying to him was the fact that the miners’ equipment are not confiscated, but are allowed to go away with them.

He said the situation has created an unhealthy cycle where authorities arrest and prosecute the miners, but the next day, they return to resume the illegal activities.

Explaining further, he said the miners failed to properly dispose of sand dug whiles searching for the minerals. The sand, he said, are then carried by rains to silt rivers, preventing free flow of water.

He stressed that the floods caused by torrential rains resulting in rivers, especially River Birim, breaking their banks was some of the clear “effects of galamsey”.

He also appealed to the media to avoid playing politics with the situation.

Meanwhile, Eastern Regional NADMO coordinator Ransford Owusu Boateng told Joy News seven districts have been affected by the floods so far.

Mr. Owusu Boateng warned that the Central Region could also experience some flooding if the situation in the Eastern Region is not addressed immediately.

Nadia Buari Says She Is Worried About Michael Essien’s Injury…What Next Is She Worried About?

Nadia Buari has mentioned that as a Ghanaian, she is also worried about the injury of Ghanaian International Football star and ex boyfriend-Michael Essien’s injury and wishes him well… Yes, we are all worried so I guess she can also be worried right?

If she is worried as a Ghanaian, then probably she must also be worried about the fact that she is still SINGLE with no partner since it worries some of us Ghanaians too. Did I say no partner? I should have said no male partner rather right?…

After dropping Nadia Buari for whatever reason, Essien seems to have moved on and is rumoured to have had a cute baby girl with Akosua Puni…

Do you want to know the real reason why Essien kicked the chick out of the foot game? It is shocking and probably it is the same reason why she has still been single since given a red carpet when she thought she was in charge of the game…Maybe, no ideal man is ready to accept that from her….

Anyway, read below for more…..

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Nadia Buari, renowned Ghanaian screen goddess and ex-girlfriend of Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien, says she is extremely worried about the fitness level of the Ghanaian footballer who she describes as a “fantastic player” and consequently, has sent a “get well quick” message to her former love flame.

Commenting on the niggling knee injuries of her former boyfriend, Nadia said it worries her as any Ghanaian, and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Off course it does worry me as it worries every Ghanaian because, you know, Michael is a fantastic player.

We are all wishing him a speedy recovery, and knowing very well that it is now that the Black Stars need him to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. So ya, we are all very worried, and we all pray for him to get back soon,” said Nadia

It would be recalled that during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Essien got injured after playing for Ghana.

The then President visited him at his base in London, and present in his (Essien’s) home was Nadia who had Michael’s legs on her laps massaging them.-Source: Herald

NDC has hijacked state media – NPP

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to hijack the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the 2012 general elections.

A deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Sammy Awuku, told Joy News the party was reliably informed that the NDC was hugely indebted to the state broadcaster following a live coverage it provided the party last year.

“This would be the modus operandi of the NDC as to gradually and slowly walk into 2012. They will like to use the state owned media, to abuse it, to misuse it and to over use it...They are serving notice, this is what they intend doing, last year they started it and they did not pay, this year they have not paid, so it is obvious next year they will not pay.”

He cited the national delegates’ congress of the party held in Tamale last year and the weekend's national delegates’ congress in Sunyani where President Mills was re-elected to lead the NDC for the 2012 elections as cases in point.

“I have reliable information that the NDC has not settled the huge Tamale debt that they left with Ghana Television, and also I can confirm and state on authority that they have also not paid for the extensive coverage given them by the GTV [at Sunyani].”

He accused the NDC of abuse of incumbency and warned that the NPP would not sit unconcerned for the NDC to hijack the state owned media –print and electronic- that he said are being financed and resourced by the “common tax payer”.

He also questioned why Deputy Minister of Tourism, James Agyenim Boateng and Presidential Aide Stan Dogbe were engaged as GBC anchors for the Sunyani congress, even though the state broadcaster has enough experienced commentators to run the show.

James Agyenim Boateng could not confirm or deny if the party had settled its bills with GBC from the Tamale and Sunyani congresses, and directed that such questions could best be addressed by members of the party’s communication team, who are in charge of coverage, and the GBC.

Nevertheless, he said he was involved when President Mills picked his nomination forms at the party’s headquarters, and said GBC was paid for the live coverage.

Responding to his involvement in anchoring the event, Agyenim Boateng said GTV was looking for people in the party with knowledge in the media to handle the occasion, which he willingly accepted it, describing his action as nothing “unusual”.

Mills wins by a landslide

National Democratic Congress delegates voted massively for Preesident Mills in a lopsided contest for the flagbearership of the ruling party.

The president polled a massive 2,771 votes, representing 96.9 per cent of a total of 2,861 valid votes cast.

Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings polled 90 votes or 3.1 per cent of valid votes.

The Electoral Commission supervised the ballots.

President Mills called the results “no victory” for any individual but that with the contest over, the battle for 2012 has begun and called for unity.

He said perhaps the only losers are those who wished the contest had been bloody, but he was humbled by the massive show of support.

More soon.
Source: myjoyonline.com

Konadu's camp raises redflags over conduct of congress.

The Campaign team of former first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has questioned the organisation of last Saturday’s National Delegates’ Congress of the National Delegates Congress (NDC) held in Sunyani.

President Mills won the party’s Presidential race in a landslide victory. He polled more than 96 percent of the total votes against Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings who barley scraped a little over 3 percent.

The campaign team of the former first lady has stated that they have some reservations about the entire conduct of the congress and will formally make their concerns public on Wednesday.

Kofi Adams, a member of her campaign team and a deputy General Secretary of the NDC told Joy News the team will forward their grievances to the party headquarters to seek redress and a press conference will be held to reveal issues that went on behind the scenes at the congress grounds.

He said the “ Campaign team considers the results as a choreographed results.”

He however said Mrs Rawlings is very “hearty and hale. She knew what went on so she knew within her that she is victorious. Everybody knew.”

Meanwhile, President Atta Mills has vowed to use his victory to unite the party in winning the 2012 presidential polls.

Pollster and editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson believes the President must translate his words into action.

He said if the President extends the olive branch to Mrs Rawlings, it will help soothe the painful defeat that she suffered at congress and make it a lot easier to unite the party towards 2012.