Kufuor Calls on African Leaders To Be Tolerant

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 28 – During his eight-year tenure, President John Kufuor quadrupled Ghana’s economy. He belongs to an elite group of African leaders who have left a legacy of tangible achievements.Ghana’s economy grew from 2.6 billion pounds in 2000 to about 11 billion pounds by the time he retired last year while poverty rates were reduced by half. He also created an education system that realised a remarkable increase of primary school enrolment.

He recently visited Nairobi where he held meetings with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. During his trip, he spared time to grant Capital News an exclusive interview.

Q. What was the driving force in your outstanding leadership?

A. The rationale for being in politics as far as I am concerned is to try to better the conditions of your society or the people you purport to lead. So when I got the chance, I went to great lengths using some of the best advices from any leader who could come by to try to make the economy work for the people. Of course in current times, human resource development is education and I believe in equality of opportunities. We adopted policies and we reformed our education system to let all children of Ghana have the right to education.

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Oil pirates On Ghanaian Waters

The capacity of Ghana’s Navy to monitor Ghana’s territorial waters was last Tuesday stretched to its full limit as a group of oil pirates slipped through their fingers leaving behind a vessel load of oil.

The pirates believed to be Nigerians were said to have hijacked an oil vessel from the oil rich country and brought it into Ghanaian waters.

The vessel christened “African Prince,” belongs to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which is currently anchored at the Tema Habour Under heavy security. The vessel is said to be carrying in its belly board about 29,000 to 32, 000 barrels (6,000 tons) of refined petroleum.

Impeccable security sources told The Enquirer that the pirates who had taken the crew of the shipping vessel led by a Pakistani by name Captain Shahid Siddiqui, hostage managed to escape in a speedboat on seeing personnel of the Ghana Navy approaching their stolen marine vehicle.

Interestingly, the navy could not chase them because its boat was not in good shape.

Information gathered by this paper has it that the runaway pirates believed to rebels fighting the Nigerian government at the oil-rich Niger Delta, had navigated the vessel through Cotonou to Togo and finally brought it to Ghana, looking for someone to buy the petrol till they were spotted by the Ghana Navy.

Since the arrest of the vessel and rescue of the crew, two Ghanaian owned companies have surprisingly showed up all claiming to be agents of the vessel and its cargo.

While one of the companies, Multiplan claims it is an agent for the oil onboard the vessel, Henbic Agency, is saying it is agent for the vessel here in Ghana.

But the National Security Council which facilitated the arrest, is said to be adamant insisting on thorough investigations to be conducted into the case and backgrounds of the agents before any deal is reached with them.

On board the vessel itself, the Navy discovered that one of the crew members by name Ndubusi Okorie, said to be the cook on the vessel was dead and his body badly decomposed. The body has since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra.

Mr. Okorie, who is said to be diabetic and hypertensive, is believed to have died out of fear. The Security Coordinator at the Tema Port, Colonel (Rtd.) Benjamin Agudogo, declined to speak when The Enquirer reached him for further details on the vessel except to say “we are still investigating allow us to finish.”

Meanwhile there are ‘indications in the Nigerian media that the vessels have been missing and is being looked for by that country’s security.

Source: The Enquirer

Rawlings Questions Heavy Deployment Of Military

…. Police At NDC Northern Region Conference

Former President Rawlings has described as uncalled for, the massive deployment of the military and police during the Northern Regional Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale over the weekend.

The Conference elected new regional executives for the party and the former President says the use of the military was uncalled for and designed to intimidate.

“It created an atmosphere of tension and an impression that without that level of security there was going to be violence.”

According to the former President the employment of uniformed officers on such a scale was a relic of the past NPP administration, which did so to intimidate its opponents during elections and similar events.

The former President said: “Soldiers and police must be deployed when absolutely necessary. However the misuse of uniformed personnel anywhere, anytime in a manner designed to provoke and intimidate is cowardly and shameful.”

Former President Rawlings congratulated the Northern and Upper East Regions for successfully concluding their regional and constituency elections and commended the smoothness of the process.

Visit Former President Rawlings’ blog site – http://jjrawlings.wordpress.com/

Source:Media Excel

Ghana High Commissioner to Canada Presents Credentials

NDC-Canada wishes to congratulate Dr. Richard Benjamin Turkson, on his appointment as Ghana’s new High Commissioner to Canada.

“On the occasion of the presentation of your Credentials to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on Monday, November 23, 2009, in the Ballroom, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, we would like to express our warmest congratulations to you”.

We are convinced that your vast experience as a Ghanaian diplomat and a distinguished lecturer among other positions held in the past, will go a long way in making a significant contribution towards building a better and a stronger Ghanaian community here in Canada. Your appointment to this prestigious position reflects the confidence that His Excellency, the President of Ghana Prof. John Evans Atta Mills has in your expertise to deliver for our Better Ghana Agenda.

Your appointment brings honour not only to your good self, but to the entire Ghanaian nation.

Once again, please accept our warmest congratulations and we welcome you to Canada, the True North strong and free!

Charles N. Nkansah
Source: NDC-Canada (info@ndccanada.com)

M.A. FINANCIAL SERVICES

Ex-President Kufuor Back Home From Two-week Tour

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived back home Saturday morning from a two-week visit abroad that that saw him become the latest member of the prestigious Club of Madrid. His visits took him to Spain, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and Italy. According to a statement signed by Mr. Frank Agyekum, Spokesperson of the former President, Mr. Kufuor was also honoured with another honorary doctorate degree.

“In Madrid, Spain, former President Kufuor together with former Presidents Festus Mogae of Botswana, Olusegun Obassanjo of Nigeria and Ferenc Madl of Hungary became the newest members of the world’s largest forum of democratically elected former heads of state who stepped down in accordance with their terms of office.”

The statement said the newest additions bring the membership of the club to 74 former democratic heads of state from 50 countries. “The meeting also saw Wim Kok, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands take over Presidency of the Club from Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile, for a three-year term with former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jennifer Mary Shipley, taking over as Vice-President from Mary Robinson, former Prime Minister of Ireland.”

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Miss Black Ontario 2009

December 11th, 2009, New Class Production will be hosting our FIRST crowning of MISS BLACK ONTARIO 2009. This new high profile competition will occur inside the St. Lawrence Centre of the Art at 27 Front Street East. The competition will showcase an evening of high fashion and elegance. Contestants will be recognized at a provincial level for their intelligence, beauty and charisma. This is undoubtedly a difficult task, as well as an amazing accomplishment.
The competition will consist of Swimsuit, Evening Gown, and Question & Answer period in front of a live audience and expert panel of fashion industry judges. It will also included guest performers, Canadians designers, attendance from one of the top modeling agencies in Canadian, and prominent community leaders.
A Private after party will conclude the event (venue to be announced). It will be geared to entice our very broad-spectrum target market.
It will consist of families, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. Your business being an entity that provides services to this same market will benefit greatly in partnership with MBO.Ticket Prices:

Standard Tickets: Miss Black Ontario Live final $35
VIP Tickets: Reserved seating in prime position – $50
DISCOUNTS ON GROUP BOOKINGS- 8 TICKETS or MORE

How to purchase tickets:
Tickets are available online at: www.stlc.com

By phone: 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6754
In person: St. Lawrence Centre For The Art, 27 Front St. E, Toronto, ON, M5E 1B4
Dress Code: Gorgeous & Glamorous – Black Tie if possible for MEN.
Our Beautiful Host for the show will be Renee FORDE and Elegant Co-Host Mr. Caribbean 2009 & Singer André MARC

For more on this event, check out the official website www.missblackontario.com
Get your ticket NOW!!!!

Packed Breakfast Now Available On Ghanaian Market

Ghanaians can now enjoy quality packed breakfast meals without the usual morning hassle, Mr Albert Osei, Chief Executive Officer of Koko King Company, an organization that packages already made breakfast meals, said on Tuesday.

He said most people especially within the city, skipped breakfast to enable them to get to work on time or to pursue other important things. “Breakfast is an important meal that should not be skipped, therefore Koko King Company has packaged meals like porridge made from millet, maize, rice, Tom Brown, oblayo, eku-egbemi, oats and wheat porridge to enable many Ghanaians, especially those working in offices, to enjoy quality breakfast,” he said.

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Spek won – Hiplife (Video)

Spek Won, the up and coming rising star from Toronto, Canada brings you this hot new video called Hiplife.

Cameo appearances by: ROCHESTER, JD ERA, KWADJO CINQO, KID KUT, THE VOYCE, TONE MASON, LICOLN, RGG, LOGIKAL ETHIX, LORD QUEST, REGULAR ROBB, plus many moreDirected by Hatch X longfieldfilms.com

http://www.myspace.com/spekwonmusic
Born in the west end of Toronto, Spek Won is an ambitious,disciplined, and focused artist and rapper. His dynamic personality is second only to his explosive, magnetic and distinctive lyrical style. Growing up in the Rexdale/Willowridge community, with its blend of Afro-Caribbean culture, along with his strong Ghanian heritage, has greatly influenced Spek Won’s unique sound. His ability to combine the styles of Classic Hip Hop, Reggae and Ghanian Hip-Life sets him apart from other artists in the music industry. As Hip Hop expands further into the international realm, Spek Won’s sound and style is not merely a reflection of this change and growth within Hip Hop, but with his ability to preempt this change he will no doubt be recognized as a pioneer of this movement. Growing up at the birth and rise of Hip Hop Spek Won understands the power it can have on a person’s life, Hip Hop grew with him, therefore his influences, the grand masters of the art cannot be mistaken in his sound or lyrics.

Spek has the addictive and imaginative sounds and stylings of Hip Hop mavericks Nas and Outkast; the lyrical potency of Cash and Dylan, and the charm and ease of Old Skool rappers; all culminating in an explosive and dynamic sound that can only be described as spectacular and wonderful. Spek Won’s music cannot be confined within one category or definition, his mantra, write what you know translates in his raps about the realities of growing up, he raps uninhibited, of being Ghanaian as heard in Ghana Bre(a)d, defining one’s self and their place in the world as in Legal Rifle, he also raps of loss, hope and pride in being unique and standing apart. In short his versatility has no bounds, or restrictions. His interests are not only in front of the mike, but also behind the music. Spek’s passion lies in all aspects of creating music and is constantly developing and perfecting his craft. Spek has contributed as a producer and engineer to the works of other artists such as Ghetto Concept, Ray Robinson and Kid Kut at Play Ground Studios. Spek Won has traveled around Southern Ontario and the United States, participating in multiple showcases like GhanaFest in New Jersey. He has built an ever growing loyal fan base with each show, and will no doubt become a recognized and revered name in music in upcoming years. Spek Won’s talent is undeniable and an increasing force to be reckoned in the music industry.

Ghana to Reclaim Number One Position in Cocoa Production

The Ghana Cocoa Board has set a production target of one million metric tons of cocoa to be attained by 2012. This is to enable Ghana to reclaim the number one position in global cocoa production from the anticipated 670 thousand metric tons of cocoa to be produced this season. The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nii Amasah Namoale announced this at an awards ceremony for 39 farmers and 300 purchasing clerks of Olam Ghana Limited, a Licensed Buying Company at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region. They were awarded for their hard work and dedication to duty. They received Wellington Boots, wrist watches, television sets, TV decorders, mobile phones, knapsack sprayers and sound systems.

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