"SALIA DEMANDS PUBLIC SHOWDOWN...with Kofi Coomson", is the banner headline on the front page of the Chronicle. The accompanying story says stung by the publicised indictment by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for his involvement in the shady managing of estimates in the 45 million pounds (162 billion cedis) deal involving Ghana Telecom and Capital Telecom, the Minister of Roads and Transport, Mr. Edward Salia, on Friday 'fired off a letter to Nana Kofi Coomson, publisher of the Chronicle group of newspapers, challenging him to a televised showdown. GRi

In another front page story the Chronicle reports that in the face of government's financial indiscipline resulting in huge budget deficits over the years, an economist has suggested the adoption of "extra-national mechanism to whip the government into line and put the lid on its spending spree". The Chronicle says Mr. Kwame Pianim who made the suggestion seen as too radical, said Ghana should apply for membership of the CFA franc zone. "Our currency would then be backed not just by the French Franc but by the combined proposed Euro-currency. It might also facilitate serious cooperation with our neighbours, provide an opportunity for widening our markets access and improve the chances of Ghana realising the dream of becoming the gateway for the development of the sub-region", the Chronicle quoted Mr. Pianim as saying. GRi