General News of Wednesday, 26 February 2003

Source: GNA

Only NPP women benefit from MOWAC credit- Gbeho

Mr Victor Gbeho, Independent Member of Parliament for Anlo, on Tuesday said credits purported to be distributed to women farmers in his area by the Ministry of Women and Children (MOWAC) go to women who sympathize with the ruling party.

The member who was severally challenged by members of the Majority, said many women have complained to him adding that all beneficiaries of the credit facility should be published periodically for proper scrutiny.

Mr Gbeho was contributing to a debate on the State of the Nation address delivered by President John Agyekum Kufuor to Parliament on February 13.

The member called for measures to alleviate the suffering of the rural population, who are mostly in subsistent farming and small-scale fishing.

"A safety net should be put in place for these rural people who neither earn wages nor benefit from the measures normally designed for urban workers."

The Anlo MP said the environment was getting worse everyday and asked government to urgently address the issue before it got out of hand.

Mr Mike Gizo, NDC-Shai/Osudoko, asked the Committee on Government Assurances to invite Ministers especially, the Minister of Education to properly brief the house on the numerous promises made by government.

Mr Joe Biadoo-Ansah, NPP-Efiakwesimintin, said the NPP government had made progress on the protection of fundamental human rights of Ghanaians.

He said government has so far protected press freedom and brought about an enabling atmosphere for the expression of oneself.

"Gone are the days when Journalists like Kabral Amihere were kidnapped under the NDC government and maltreated by presidential guards. This would not happen under the NPP administration", he added.