MODERATOR:	KWAME WAJA
 PANELISTS:	KWEKU BAAKO
 RAYBORN BULLEY
 

SUPREME COURT JUDGE QUIZZED – IN ALLEGED BRIBERY CASE

INTRODUCTION

The Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council has started interrogating a Supreme Court Judge and two others alleged to have attempted to bribe the supervising High Court judge of Cape Coast. The bribe was allegedly offered two months ago in order for the High Court Judge to decide a case in favour of a faction in the Mankessim chieftaincy dispute. – The Ghanaian Times

Rayborn - The Judicial Service is a human institution and there will be minor criminal activities like bribery and corruption. But the Ministry of Justice should ensure checks and balances in their affairs. Findings and reports of corruption and bribery made against High Court judges and lawyers on the bench should be investigated to establish the truth.

POLICE INSPECTOR ANSU ACCUSED OF BRIBERY: “HE TOOK ?33 MILLION CASH FROM ME TO RELEASE THE GOODS, IT WAS IN A BLACK POLYTHENE BAG”

INTRODUCTION

“The money was in a black polythene bag in ?5,000 denominations wrapped in rubber bands. He gave me ?1.5 million as my share and congratulated me for bringing him the bribe, but now he is telling me to deny that I gave him the money”. These were the words of Charles Abanbo on how he managed to allegedly “grease the palms” of Inspector Ansu of the Community One police station in Tema to illegally release 1,100 bags of confisticated sugar in transit to Mali. – The Crusading Guide

Rayborn - The Police Service is responsible for controlling crime in society. A truck load of sugar destined for Mali was diverted at the border by some police officials. The officials involved in this sugar scandal should be arrested to ensure justice in society. The security agents should be vigilant and alert at all the border crossings to prevent smuggling of goods and services to foreign countries.

Baako - It is a long story and the authorities should start criminal proceedings against those police officials involved in the sugar scandal. The Crusading Guide is still investigating the allegation. The sugar was in transit to Mali and it was intercepted by some officials at the regional police checkpoint. But the police have denied collecting bribe and we are still investigating this matter to trace the hoarded sugar. Sanctions should be applied to deal with these corrupt police officials in the sugar scandal.

‘TARZAN’ SACRIFICED ON THE ALTAR OF INDUSTRIAL BLACKMAIL AND STRATEGIC SECURITY CALCULATION

INTRODUCTION

At long last, the wish of the local branch of the Public Service Workers Union (PSWU) and the Senior Staff Association of the VRA has been fulfilled. Tarzan on September 19, 2003 tendered his resignation letter to President John Agyekum Kufuor. – The Crusading Guide

Rayborn - Dr. Charles Wereko Brobby has resigned honourably but we should not allow workers to take hostage in future. Dr. Wereko-Brobby has transformed the place and we should encourage him to perform better in future. He should be re-deployed to perform in other sectors. The VRA workers are happy now because Dr. Brobby has resigned. The workers should now go back to work and increase productivity.

Baako - I have read the Insight story on the fall of Charles Wereko-Brobby and I would say that it is not true. He was accused of increasing his salary by 300%, which is not true. He was alleged to have purchased computers and mismanaged the affairs of the Strategic Reserve Plant. Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom established a committee of enquiry to investigate the allegations. The CEO was cleared of all the allegations made against him. The VRA workers are targeting him and they have put pressure on him to resign. All the board members agreed on the Strategic Reserve Plant. The Auditor-General’s Department did very well to establish the truth.

GOVERNMENT, LABOUR IN DEADLOCK OVER HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

INTRODUCTION

A meeting held yesterday between a team of ministers and labour leaders in Accra over the use of part of workers social security contribution to support the NHIS ended in deadlock. – The Daily Graphic

Rayborn - The 2?% deduction by government from the SSNIT Fund has generated some misunderstanding between government and TUC. I think workers should come out with suggestions on how to fund the NHIS. We need sustainable suggestions. The bill may be amended with good suggestions coming from the TUC.

Baako - There is room for improvement in the NHIS bill. Dialogue and discussion are very important to reach agreement on the 2?% deduction. The TUC should not politicise the major issues confronting the NHIS but co-operate with government to find an amicable solution to the problem. Demonstrations by TUC are acceptable because the constitution allows it. But the TUC should still bring their suggestions for amendment of the bill. I think everybody is in favour of the NHIS and we should engage in consultations and negotiations to move the bill forward because we have come from a long way and we should achieve our target.

THE FALL OF WEREKO-BROBBY – INSIDE STORY: NDUOM’S STEELY RESOLVE, VRA WORKERS’ PERSISTENCE

INTRODUCTION

The real story of the intense backroom horse-trading heroic resistance of the patriotic VRA staff, the steely resolve of the Minister of Energy and the events that led to the purported resignation of Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby may not be known yet. – The Ghanaian Chronicle

Baako - Dr. Charles Wereko Brobby did not cause any financial loss to the state. His administration at VRA was the best and he has resigned honourably. I think we should review the act establishing the VRA and to minimize fraud. The Auditor-General’s report found him innocent of all the allegations made against him. Much money was invested in the Strategic Reserve Plant and the government has signed a two-year contract to enable the plant perform effectively. Much money has been invested in the plant and its operators will regulate the level of water and power generation at the dam. The plant has already been commissioned but the VRA is still importing oil from Holland to operate the equipment and machines in the plant.

CPP NOT ATTRACTIVE – FREDDIE BLAY

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Freddie Blay, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has stated that the CPP does not look very attractive in the next presidential elections. – Evening News

Rayborn - The delegates have made their choice and they have accepted George Aggudey as their presidential candidate. I think the youth in the CPP should get involved to move the party forward. We should all accept the outcome of the CPP congress in Legon.

Baako - The CPP don’t have the structures which will help us win the 2004 election. Mr. George Aggudey lacks the political experience and qualities which can unite the people. He cannot mobilise and co-ordinate activities to make the CPP successful in future.

METRO TV GOOD MORNING GHANA

 MODERATOR	:	RANDY ABBEY
 PANELISTS	:	EDGAR WIREDU
 ALFRED OGBAMEY
 ASARE OKYERE DARKO

GOVERNMENT, LABOUR IN DEADLOCK OVER HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

Wiredu - The TUC should come out with a document to establish the facts and effects of the 2?% deduction of workers’ pension fund. We must come out practically and realistically on the effects of the SSNIT Pensions. Labour disputes may not solve the problem. We must bring out suggestions which will help us implement the NHIS successfully.

Alfred - Documents and data on the 2?% deduction should be made available. The TUC is ready to engage in a demonstration tomorrow and government should call an emergency meeting to resolve the problem. The cash-and carry process is unacceptable, so we should help establish NHIS in this country.

Darko - We should take a look at inflation levels in the country in order to establish the effect of the 2?% deduction of the SSNIT fund. Everybody is in favour of the NHIS. It, therefore, behoves all of us to help make it effective. The government must meet the TUC on regular basis to educate them on 2?% deduction.

TARZAN SACRIFICES

Darko - Certain wrong decisions were taken during Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby’s administration. The installation of the Strategic Reserve Plant created more problems for him. He was in disagreement with the workers and some of the management staff. I think we should forget about the past and move on as a nation. The VRA management is enjoying bonuses and allowances, which are very huge, and it is a waste of money. Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby has Human Resource Management problems and it is better that he has resigned from the VRA to establish peace there. President Kufuor has accepted his resignation and we should be thankful for his acceptance of the resignation.

Alfred - The Auditor-General’s report did not answer certain questions and problems in VRA. There are major problems in VRA which have been published in the media. VRA was in the news and newspapers were publishing the stories and making money from the VRA saga. I am trying to be fair to Tarzan. He has mismanaged VRA which has resulted in financial loss to the state and we should be thankful for his resignation from the VRA.

Wiredu - The VRA story is a long sad one which should be addressed amicably. VRA is indebted because we are not paying the right amount of energy consumption in this country. President Kufuor should not have accepted his resignation. This high level politics has resulted in the downfall of Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby. He has been sacrificed for not committing any crime.