The Times in its lead story reports that an official of the Bank of Ghana (BOG) sees the transaction of loans business between the Central Bank and private businesses as one of the measures that can halt the declining value of the cedi in relation to the international currencies. The Times says Mr Chris Kedze of the Export Finance Office of the BOG, said this in an answer to a question at a lecture on the Private Enterprise and Export Development (PEED) project at the "Dwapa '97" trade and tourism fair at Koforidua on Thursday. Mr Kedze explained that since businesses will be collecting and paying their loans and the interest on them in dollars, they are encouraged to invest the money in export promotion to raise the necessary foreign exchange. This, he said, will in the long run, create a situation where there will be more dollars in the economy with few cedis and end up stabilizing the value of the cedi. GRI

"Constitution not guarantee for religious feuds - General Smith", is the headline of another Times front page story. The Times quotes Major-General J.H. Smith, the Army Commander as cautioning that the freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution is not a guarantee to engage in doctrinal feuds. Major-Gen. Smith is reported by the times as saying people should respect each other's religion so that the commendable peace that the nation had enjoyed over the years will not be disturbed. The Army Commander was delivering the key-note address at a foundation stone-laying and fund-raising service of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Accra Garrison, at Burma Camp at the weekend. GRI

In a back page story the Times reports that the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is to commission expert studies into agriculture with a view to venturing into the sector. The Times says Mr Thomas Agawu, General Manager, Operations of the Trust, announced this at Ho when he addressed employers, workers' representatives and stakeholders at a two-day seminar organised by SSNIT to review the SSNIT Pension Law. SSNIT, he said, is convinced that it can play a meaningful role in revolutionizing the agricultural sector by making food available all year round and at reasonable prices while ensuring competitive prices for the benefit of farmers. GRI