The Daily Graphic highlights reports that VALCO is to set up a 1,200 megawatts power plant at Tema as part of government’s grand design to establish an integrated aluminum industry in the country. Constructional works on the first phase of the project, involving a 600 megawatts plant begins in October this year and are expected to be completed in 24 months. Also treated as a front page report is a story which says authorities in the national capital are overwhelmed by the issue of where to dump two thousand tons of refuse generated by residents daily. According to the report, the Oblogo refuse dump which is currently being used by the AMA has been declared full and will therefore be closed down next month. The Mayor, Stanley Adjiri-Blankson says the Assembly has found a temporarily site at Saba near Weija for use by the end of next month.
The top story of the Ghanaian Times is a meeting today by officials of the National Youth Employment Programme and the Agricultural Development Bank to finalize preparations for the payment of NYEP employee allowances which the ADB is to pre-finance under an agreement with the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment. Also highlighted by the Times is yesterday’s triumph by Kumasi Asante Kotoko over Heart of Lions to clinch the President’s cup. The paper shows Vice President Aliu Mahama presenting the winners’ medal to captain Osei Kufuor after the game.
The Accra Daily Mail gives prominence to a call by the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Vice Presidential running mate and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole-Bamboi, John Dramani Mahama advising the media and the public to refrain from lampooning judges on the rulings that they give in order to ensure judicial independence and objectivity.
Yesterday’s news conference by NDC founder, former President Rawlings makes waves in almost all the papers on the news stand this morning.
EDITORIALS
The Ghanaian Times reflects on the Republic Day celebration and says a country that has come this far should be one, where the general welfare and well-being of her citizens, notably the voiceless, under-privileged and defenseless are guaranteed. The paper urges those in positions of trust to take into consideration the rights of the less privileged. It notes that Ghana became a Republic not only to liberate her citizens from colonialism, but also to improve their livelihood and general welfare.
The Heritage wonders after celebrating Ghana’s 48th Republican anniversary yesterday. What happens next? It says Ghana says Ghana, the torchbearer of Africa’s renaissance must think of how to jump onto the superhighway of socio-economic development and not backslide again. This, the paper believes is the hope of all Africans and for that matter Ghanaians. The Heritage notes that, the time has come for Ghana and Africa to survive and have dominion over globalization.
The Daily Graphic is worried about the problem of refuse generation and disposal in the national capital, Accra. The paper says though the problem seems to be compounded by the nature of refuse generated by residents in various homes and factories. People have cultivated the habit of throwing refuse, often wrapped in plastic bags, into gutters and open spaces. The Graphic commends efforts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly AMA, in placing litter bins at vantage points in the city but says this is inadequate. It therefore suggests that a suitable place far away from the city should be acquired for dumping refuse where a token fee would be collected to subsidize waste collection.
The Insight calls for a stop to text messages threatening Justice Henrietta Abban. The paper believes such moves do major disservice to the struggle for effective justice delivery in the country. The Insight calls on perpetrators to openly share their views without issuing death threats to the Judge.
The Daily Searchlight urges the NDC presidential candidate Professor Atta Mills and former President Rawlings as well as other members of the NDC who have refused to accept the national awards to discard the anger and bitterness in them and go for the awards. The paper is particularly worried about Professor Atta Mills’ decision because he intends to rule the nation. It says a man in his position should not reject any offer of peace and friendship, even coming from his worst enemies.
