Accra, Dec. 31, GNA - Ghana deepened her multi-party democratic journey when President John Agyekum Kufuor began his second four-year term on January 7, 2005 and promised a better life for Ghanaians. Ghana also had good news when it won debt cancellation from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and African Development Fund, which would relieve it of more than four billion dollars.

The following are some major events recorded by the Ghana News Agency:

January

1 New Year Day observed

2 Opening figures of the Stock Exchange and inter-bank exchange rates of major currencies to the cedi:

 OPENING RATES FOR THE YEAR 
Currency        Buying      Selling 
U.S. Dollar     8,947.00    9,112.45 
Pound Sterling  16,812.31  17,126.85 
Canadian Dollar 7,302.40    7,434.82 
Japanese Yen    85.42      86.96 
Euro            11,860.53  12,078.17 
CFA Franc       18.08      18.41 
 CLOSING RATES FOR THE YEAR 
Currency            Buying Selling 
U.S. Dollar         9,035.45     9,140.91 
Pound Sterling     15,597.90    15,784.52 
Canadian Dollar     7,774.85   7,863.56 
Japanese Yen           76.94      77.81 
Euro                10,720.20    10,843.25 
CFA Franc 16.34      16.53 

4 The All-Share Index, or the main market indicator of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), made 2.22 points at the start of the year with trading closing at 6,800.82 points.
Change for year after the first trading was 0.03 per cent Market Capitalisation - 97,620.88 billion cedis Volume Traded - 105,400 shares.

7 New Parliament convenes
Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, who was proposed by the NPP, was elected the new Speaker of Parliament after defeating the incumbent Mr Peter Ala Adjetey who was proposed by the NDC. Mr Freddie Blay was retained as First Deputy and while Malik Yakubu was elected Second Deputy Speaker.

President Kufuor inaugurated for second term

9 President Kufuor travels to Gabon for AU Security Council's meeting

11 EC issues final results of 2004 general elections. President makes nominations of Ministers for vetting by Parliament

14 West African Monetary Zone Council of Ministers meets

17 TUC asks ICU to vacate its premises in the Hall of Trade Unions

18 Launch of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) report - Report says targets can be met

19 ECOWAS Summit held - Niger takes over ECOWAS Chair

20 Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha

21 Parliament begins vetting of Ministerial nominees

24 Monetary Policy Committee holds press conference on monetary situation

25 Ghana Journalists Association hosts gender activist Professor Amina Mama

26 International Customs Day marked European Community and Ghana sign resource allocation agreement Internal Revenue Service launches new tax stamp

27 Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice launches annual prison inspection

30 AU holds Fourth Ordinary Session and the First Mid-Term Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government in Abuja

February

1 National launch of African Peer Review Mechanism week African Leaders start arriving for World Summit for Information Society (WSIS) Takoradi Polytechnic withdraws from POTAG

2 UNICEF Director visits WAJU

Parliament defers approval of three nominees for ministerial positions German Parliamentarians visit Ghana

Egyptian Foreign Minister visits Ghana

Twenty-nine Ministers sworn into office

Ministry of Food and Agriculture says Quality Grain Project not abandoned

Africa Regional conference on World Summit for Information Society opens Ghana observes World Wetlands Day

Twenty-six million dollars water and sanitation project launched in Busua, Western Region

Court remand farmers who burnt down houses in Nkoranza in Chieftaincy case

TUC says it will use legitimate means to evict ICU

Richard Roberts, renowned American evangelist, donates to Otumfuo Education Fund

Extradited US woman charged with possessing narcotic drugs WAJU says records 20,137 child abuse cases since 1998 GFA Congress endorses one-match decider for Kotoko/Hearts. They also pass vote of no confidence vote in Nyaho-Tamakloe

Ghana and UN Systems in Ghana hold joint press conference on Tsunami victims

3 President Kufuor argues for deregulation of petroleum sector in State of the Nation Address

5 Eyadema dies

7 Ghana Health Service holds conference on universal salt iodation

8 AMA deadline to hawkers to quit the pavements

9 ECOWAS heads of state meet in Niamey on events in Togo following death of Gnassingbe Eyadema

11 ECOWAS Heads of State meet with Togolese officials in Benin

15 Ghana's Trade Policy launched
West African Family Planning Conference opens
Parliament approves three more nominated Ministers, Dr Richard Anane, Mr Isaac Edumazde and Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye
Nathan Quao, former adviser under PNDC dies

16 Paul Boateng, UK MP, visits Ghana

17 Castle security guard shoots girlfriend and colleague

18 Government announces 50 per cent increase in fuel prices

20 ECOWAS slaps sanctions on Togo over selection of President Eyadema's son, Faure Gnassingbe, as new president

23 NDC reacts to fuel price increases Minority stages walkout over fuel price increases

24 Budget

28 Bank of China Governor visits Ghana
Ataa Ayi and others arrested

March

1 The Committee for Joint Action goes on first demonstration to protest against fuel price increases Terror gang strikes in Kumasi - Police arrest 20 suspects

3 Kwame Peprah and Victor Selormey freed from prison custody

4 First Commercial Court opens
Indutech 2005 opens
Joshua Okine "Bukom Tsatsu" wins commonwealth welterweight crown

6 Independence Day

7 Professor Van Ginkel, Pector of UN University in Tokyo visits Ghana

8 Arabian Gulf Oil Limited indicates interest to set up oil refinery in Ghana
Sweden cancels 14.5 million dollar debt under HIPC Initiative
MOH and partners hold Technical Review meeting
International Women's Day observed

9 Parliament approves budget Regional Commanders of Police hold emergency meeting

10 President Kufuor grants audience to Faure Gnassingbe

11 Visiting Dutch business group expresses readiness to rehabilitate Takoradi Habour

14 UDS cancels Founders' congregation
Copy of Commission for Africa Report presented to government

15 Jailbreak at Gambaga prison in the Northern Region

16 Court slaps 1.5 billion cedis on Palaver for defaming Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing
Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere says he is ready to sanction his son after investigations proved his son's involvement in exams malpractice Government negotiates with United Rail and others on Ghana's rail line rehabilitation

17 Big turnout for Wahala II March
Gilchrist Olympio, leader of Togolese opposition, calls on President Kufuor
Osagyefo Power Barge arrives at Jomoro

18 University of Ghana cancels six papers
APRM Governing Council presents final report to the president
Togbe Afede XIV, President of Asogli State, visits Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; the two promise to fight tribal politics

29 Monetary Policy Committee holds press conference

30 Organised labour urges government to reduce prices of petroleum products Bishop Palmer Buckle made Archbishop of Accra

April

2 Sports journalists given awarded
Pope John Paul II dies

3 FIFA orders reform in Ghana's FA

6 First World Council of Optometry General Delegates' meeting opens
British High Commission opens new Visa Office

7 World Health Day celebrations
Ghana holds Mass for Pope
CDH discount House license revoked

12 Congress on Crime prevention and Criminal Justice opens
Brazilian President visits Ghana

14 Hearing of Chris Archer's case
Launch of Ghana-Botswana Expo 2005

19 State Owned Enterprises sign performance contracts with government Plastic Manufacturers Association holds press conference on AMA's threat to ban their activities

20 German Cardinal Josef Ratzinger elected new Pope.

21 Asawase bye-election won by NDC
An Accra Fast Track Court on Thursday acquitted and discharged Mrs Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM) and Mr Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, Former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC). It, however, convicted Ralph Casely-Hayford, a businessman, and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment.

May

1 May Day marked

14 Foreign dignitaries attend durbar organised by Asanteman Council

21 Ghana rated B+
Alfred Kofi Appiah, child rights activist, dies in motor accident

23 Peoples' Assembly held

24 Patrick Acheampong becomes new IGP
Twenty members of the Council of State and deputy ministers sworn into office

25 Paragliding inaugurated in Eastern Region
Good Friday
Fire disaster hits TOR and Tema Harbour - 16 people lose their lives SFO speaks on controversy over acquisition of hotel near President's house by a consortium led by his son

28 ECOWAS celebrates 30th anniversary

June

1 Ghana and Italy sign debt cancellation agreement of 27.2 million dollars

4 Former President Rawlings addresses June Four rally

6 World Environment Day observed

13 Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu said the debt relief by the G-8 countries was an opportunity for the Government to increase spending in the major sectors of the economy.
ILO and IPEC observe the World Day Against Child Labour

16 Liquidation of Ghana Airways begins

22 GJA launches manual on economic and financial reporting

24 World Refugee Day marked

29 Minister of the Interior launches 18th Interpol African Regional conference

July

1 Ghana observes Republic Day

6 World Health Report launched

14 Spanish government delegation visits Ghana

26 Statistical Service launches national database

August

10 President Kufuor holds press conference

25 President Kufuor visits VALCO when the company begins operations after a three-year shut down

September

5 Third ordinary meeting of the West African Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly opens

7 Pan African Women Inventors and Innovators Conference opens

9 Suzzy Williams dies in car crash

12 Monetary Policy Committee holds press conference

13 Ghana and the French government sign agreement

15 Third International Building Exhibition ends

20 Ghana and the Gambia hold bilateral talks on child trafficking

21 Sri Lankan Minister of Trade visits Ghana
Presidential Commission on Pensions recommends three-tier pension scheme

October

7 Patience Addow, Former Minister of Eastern Region under NDC, killed in motor accident

8 Black Stars qualify for World Cup

28 Bird flu alert as Veterinary Service monitors situation
Government delegation attends Stella Obasanjo's funeral

29 Ghana International Airline makes maiden flight to the UK

30 President Kufuor launches Gateway Project in Washington, to step up efforts at attracting American Investors and tourists

31 New Board for Council for Law Reporting inaugurated

November

1 Accountant General's Department unearths 2.2 billion cedis stealing syndicate within its outfit

3 Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr

4 UK Minister in Charge of Africa makes stopover in Accra and says his country is happy with use of funds in Ghana

5 Anlos celebrate Hogbetsotso after seven years break

7 Twelfth Consultative Group meeting with development partners held in Accra at which President Kufuor predicts six per cent growth rate for 2005, the partners pledge 1.2 billion dollar support each year Second African World Business Congress of the Africa Business Roundtable opens in Accra

10 2006 budget read for the first time ahead of the beginning of the

15 Mion Parliamentary results nullified by Tamale High Court

23 Ministry of Health organises National Forum on Health
SSNIT launches 40th anniversary and its Customer Service Charter and says it will introduce automated finger print system to improve identification of members and check potential fraud President Kufuor leaves for Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting

December

1 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf calls on president after winning presidential elections

2 National Farmers' Day observed

5th SG-SSB Bank workers go on strike in protest of Management's stance on joining ICU

6 Jojo Bruce-Quansah, Managing Editor of Ghana Palaver, arraigned for deceit of public officer 2004 Club 100 awards held

8 Finance Ministry says it has released 403.1 billion cedis to upgrade model schools
Electoral Commission reveals that six political parties failed to submit accounts
Twelve NPP activists go to court to challenge list of delegates to congress from the Volta Region

9 World Cup group draw puts Ghana in Group E with Italy, Czech Republic and the US
Tommy Okine appointed acting Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak
Bawjiase in Central Region hosts international concert to raise funds for child development in Sweden via satellite

11 Joe Bradford Nyinah, a journalist with the Daily Graphic, dies Fuel depot expansion programme with capacity to store strategic reserves of 18.8 million litres of fuel inaugurated - will increase reserves to last for four weeks
IFC Country Director subpoenaed to appear in Tsatsu's case

13 Supreme Court dismisses suit on the status of Rawlings as Founder of NDC Three members of Parliament from the Northern Region hold press conference to draw attention to acute water shortage in Tamale Flag raising ceremony to mark Africa Sports Day

14 Minority walks out on 30 million-dollar loan agreement for Presidential Palace

15 Nine heads of primary schools in Accra demoted for charging unauthorised fees
Majority in Parliament hold press conference to condemn minority stance on the loan for the presidential palace
Ghana Commercial Bank settles 10-year dispute on staff on Pension
Accra Fast Track High Court orders Electoral Commission not to destroy electoral materials relating to Dec 7, 2004 presidential election until final determination of suit brought against it by three members of the NDC
Reconstituted Governing Board of the Law Reform Commission inaugurated
Health Ministry signs agreement with development partners

16 NPP holds delegates' conference - Harona Esseku, Former Chairman, withdraws at the last minute under controversy for alleged comments made on funding of the party

18 Peter Mac Manu elected chairman of NPP

19 Police Service reports 168 officers desert service
Court throws out Tsatsu's application against the CJ and Attorney General
WTO says it will end agricultural subsidies by 2013
Special HIV/AIDS fund launched for women
Obed Asamoah extends olive branch to Rawlings and Mills ahead of congress
President condemns filth in country at DCEs 12th annual conference
Ghana gets FIFA award
Bellview plane makes forced landing in Accra

20 Blaise Compoare inaugurated to serve third term

21 Akosombo Textiles Limited installs new plant to produce English ABC wax

22 NDC goes to congress

23 Dr Kwabena Adjei elected new NDC Chairman

30 Kwesi Nyantekyi, 37, elected GFA President of GFA

Closing figures for the currencies
Currency Buying Selling

U.S. Dollar 9,035.45 9,140.91
Pound Sterling 15,597.90 15,784.52
Swiss Franc 6,884.67 6,962.74
Canadian Dollar 7,774.85 7,863.56
Danish Kroner 1,436.92 1,453.28
Japanese Yen 76.94 77.81
Swedish Kroner 1,136.98 1,149.97
South African Rand 1,431.31 1,447.42
Euro 10,720.20 10,843.25
CFA Franc 16.34 16.53
Naira 70.15 70.97
ECOWAS WAUA 12,864.59

Closing figures of the GSE
Market capitalisation - 91,857.28 billion cedis
GSE All-Share Index - 4,769.02 points
Change for the Year - -28.85 per cent

31 President to broadcast to the nation