Cape Coast (C/R), July 10, - A delegation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, today paid its last respects to the late Osabarima Kojo Mbrah the fifth at Cape Coast. The 450-member delegation was led by Nana Wiafe Akenten the third, Offinsohene, a friend of the late Nana Mbrah. The delegation presented customary drinks, including seven bottles of schnapps, four cartons of beer, four crates of soft drinks, a wreath and 64 carats of gold dust to the Oguaa Traditional Council. Earlier, the Offinsohene, who rode in a palanquin, and his retinue filed onto the Victoria Park, where they exchanged greetings with members of the Oguaa Traditional Council, amid the firing of After filing past the body laid in state at the Osa barima Youth Centre at the Victoria Park, a sheep was slaughtered to "purify" the Offinsohene. Dr Mary Grant, a member of the Council of State, paid her last respects to the late omanhene. Nana Mbrah would be buried on Saturday.

Accra, July 9 The Board of directors of the New Times Corporation today denied that a union member, Bismark Anim, was arrested on the instructions of the managing director or the acting c A statement signed by Mr K. Adjei-Seffah, Acting Board Chairman, said a number of people were arrested after an attempt to blackmail the managing director, Mr George Aryee. The police are inves The "Ghanaian Times" today published a story on the incident under the headline "New Times MD causes arrest of union member". Giving their side of the story, the statement said at 0900 hours yesterday, Mr Aryee received a telephone call from one Kwesi Manu, who told him that he had only seven hours to live and demanded According to the statement, the caller sent an emissary, one Kwesi Adjei, to the MD's office to lead him to a face-to face meeting with the conspirators. The MD informed the police. "This led to the arrest of Kwesi Adjei, who led the police to the caller, Kwesi Manu, who turned out to be Bismark Anim, an employee of the New Times Corporation." The statement said it is not rpt not true that the board has failed to address grievances that have been brought to its attention. "Indeed, actions have been taken based on the grievances." Mr Adjei-Seffah said for instance, all categories of staff have been given more than 35 per cent salary increase with retrospective effect from January one this year. "The board also agreed that a consultant would be invited to make a comprehensive study of the whole salary structure of the corporation and make appropriate recommendations." Mr Adjei-Seffah said diplomates from the Ghana Institute of Journalism have been placed on the senior staff grade following the resolution of the problem of their placement. He said out-of-station allowances and appropriate foreign per diem allowances have been reviewed. Mr Adjei-Seffah said the board has looked into workers' complaints concerning the MD's salary and allowances and found that they were "in consonance with the terms of the MD's appointment as app The acting board chairman said the staff have been duly informed of all these decisions. He said outstanding issues were to be discussed at a regular meeting scheduled for today, "when some of the workers unfortunately decided to embark on an industrial action." The board assured the staff and the general public that it is alive to its responsibilities and will continue to discharge its duties with diligence.