BRIBES LEAD IN BORDER CRIME- WORLD BANK

Bribery and Corruption along the border regions continues to be the leading risk by traders in cross- border trading, a World Bank survey shows how African countries are losing on billions of dollars in potential trade earnings.
A typical account of everyday conditions is provided by an egg and sugar seller in Rwanda. She narrated that ‘I buy my eggs in Rwanda as soon as soon as I cross to Congo I give one egg to every official who ask me. Some days I give away more than 30 eggs’.
Addressing the Challenges in Ghana-Nigeria Trade relations to strengthen ECOWAS, the World Bank 2011 Survey indicates that bribes toped with 85 percent followed by Fines 60%, acts of violence, threats and sexual harassment 54%,Confiscation of goods 38%, rude behaviors, verbal abuse and insults 38% and Long waits 19% followed in that order.
The World Bank Country Director, Mr Yusupha B. Crookes says these high trade barriers leads to regional fragmentation which deprives the continent of new sources of economic growth, new jobs and sharply falling poverty.
He says the lack of implementation of ECOWAS commitment in the region has led to the continuous practice of trade barriers.

‘Steps to facilitate trade’


The World Bank survey called on policy makers to reduce the number of agencies and an increase in transparency at the borderlines. Adding that the lack of transparency and consistency in the application of trade rules constrain trade borders. The Immigration, Customs, Health and Hygiene and Quality control of goods should be the only agents at the border areas, he stated.
The WB called for an increased in professionalism of officials and greater gender awareness. The survey recommended the increase in the number of female border officials is an important step. It says more women at the border may reduce sexual crimes. The WB called for an enhanced training of officials on border crossing.

‘Ghana’s effort’
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Joseph Samuel Annan says the government will resort to regional dialogue in the implementation of free movement at the borders.
He stated that plans are far advance to lift the technical and political barriers along the borders in the sub-region. Dr J.S Annan address participates at the workshop said a joint commission made up representatives from the various West African Countries will meet to tackle regional barriers.
Commenting on the implementation of the ECOWAS Card, Dr J S Annan noted that due to the political instability in some of the West African states, the commission has decided to put on hold the ECOWAS Card free movement policy. According to him, when the region has resolve to political instability in Mali, Guinea-Bissau and other areas they will implement the ECOWAS Card free movement policy.

Story: Samuel Mantey, Property Express
email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com
Twitter: SamuelMantey

My Landlord!

“Landlording and long-term investing go hand-in hand. Being a landlord isn’t for everyone, but if you have the right personality and decision making skills then it’s a snap.”-Christopher Smith, Equity Scout

Some years back when there were fewer men occupying the earth, land was not a commodity for sale rather, people build and farm where they feel appropriate. But things have change; now the land, house and even farm are for sale.
It’s was about 2am midnight one Saturday when I heard the sound of my door opening, I immediately rush to the entrance only to get the shock of my life. My landlord was introducing a new tenant to occupy my already occupied apartment with two years left on my contract.
This is the story of Nana Yaa, a tenant in Accra. Her story is one of the many of the untold stories of how some landlords are treating tenants at their homes.
Landlord is fast becoming a profession rather than privilege; young men and women are relying on their parents’ inheritance and making money. They describe their newly found ‘love’- Real Estate!
I went round speaking to people about their experiences with their landlords.

The Good
Kofi, married with two children in Tema said his landlord came over for inspection, went through their food items, telling them what was unhealthy. He told them what kind of food they should prepared and the type of spices needed. He said sharing the electricity meter with the landlord is like ‘putting ones hands in the fire’. The landlord demands full payment of the bill from him.
James in Nungua got a call from his daughter (14 years old) that there were some grown men using their bath house. James came home to found out it was their landlord’s grandson and his friends using their bathhouse without permission. James said he has never met them and frankly don’t want them near his daughter.
Gloria lives in Spintex recalled that her (land lady) was older, widowed and had vision problems. She did help her with trips to the store, market, taking the trash out and cleaning up the room. Gloria even cooked to take to her. At the end, the landlord told her she had doubled the price of the rent and that the apartment has been given out to other applicants if she cannot pay the 100 percent increment.

The Bad
Afua lives in Kumasi narrated that the Landlord puts up a new rent fee immediately the government increase the price of fuel. She says though the Landlord lives with them in a compound house, she refused to pay utility bills and the rotational house cleaning.
Dennis had just got a new job in Sekondi as a teacher. He managed to get a two bedroom apartment for his family. His landlord seemed to be a nice gentleman but after 6 month the landlord locked the toilet for further use. He told me that his landlord asked him to pay a weekly amount for him to get access to the toilet.
Kwesi a father of 4 from Sunyani said his landlord won't allow him to have a cat and dog in the compound house! He says that cats and dogs eat birds (Chicks) and he likes chicken better, so he is forced to rear poultry.

The Ugly
Seth rented a two bedroom apartment in the middle of Accra in 1997. According to him, it was a very lovely place with a staircase and a good location to his workplace. His 'landlady' seemed to be a cool lady at first. The ‘Landlady’ told him she was in law school. Turns out she was a prostitute who entertained a lot of customers, almost every night. The ‘Landlady’ told him that he will be using his other bedroom for studies every night. It turns out to be the venue to entertain her ‘guests’.
A landlord was arrested over the death of a tenant after he evicted him at 1:00a.m in Sefwi-Buako in the Brong 'Ahafo Region.
The landlord had asked his in-law, who was the driver, to convey the belongings of the victim to wherever he wished to go. The landlord killed the tenant after he protested over the ungodly hour he was been evicted.
At Nima, a 40-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old daughter of a tenant. The landlord was reported to have been sleeping with the girl for about a year now.


Lesson
I agree that there are bad tenants but that still does not give landlords the right to treat good tenants like they are scum of the earth. By now tenants should learn Landlord-Tennant laws and regulations to prevent any future uncertainties with Landlords.


By Samuel Mantey, Property Express
Email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com/ pejournalist1@yahoo.co.uk
Twitter: SamuelMantey

GHANAIANS COMPLAIN ABOUT POOR QUALITY OF BIOMETRIC CARDS

Some people have raised concerns with the quality of cards issued by the electoral commission in the biometric registration.
According to them, the card is not of good quality as compared with the previous ones.
Some people who have just received their cards lamented the poor texture and durability of the card.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Electoral Commission, Mr Christian Owusu-Parry says they chose to laminate the cards because that is the only process people can receive their cards instantly.
He says if they want to use the plastic cards people will have to queue another day for their cards.

MRS AKUFFO-ADDO ADMITS SHE ADMIRE NANA KONADU RAWLINGS

Rebecca Akufo-Addo, wife of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party says though she is not a supporter of the 31st December, she admire and respect the boldness and perseverance of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. She has observed that the nation’s effort to encourage more women into active politics stands defeated by the current trend of insults in the nation’s political discourse. Rebecca Akufo-Addo was addressing students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on “The Role of the Modern Woman in Politics”. She stated that less women will participate in politics if politicians continuous to trade insults at each other. Mrs Akufo-Addo bemoaned the fast decline in the number of women representation in Parliament, adding that it does not speak well of a nation that claims to be advocating women empowerment. Mrs Akufo-Addo called for a deliberate plan for political grooming of more women for political positions.

NPP EXPRESS WORRY OVER ABSENCE OF RAWLINGS AT NDC RALLY

The General Secretary of the NPP, Lawyer Kwadwo Afriye has stated that NPP are not happy with the absence of former President Rawlings at the NDC rally at Mantse Agboena on Saturday.
He says absence of party gurus to grace the NDC rally indicates that Presidents Mills has failed to unite the party as the leader.
He stated that President Mills has fuel the division by ignoring insults and personality attack leveled against the Rawlingses and former aspirant Dr Spio Garbrah.
According to him, President Mills should stop preaching about peace but initiate measures that would unite the party.
The outspoken general secretary of the NPP, pointed out that if President Mills cannot bring peace in his party then he cannot ensure Ghanaians of a credible, free, transparent and peaceful elections.
Speaking in an interview with Adom news, Lawyer Kwadwo Afriyie indicated that the NPP are disturbed with the treatment meted against Former President Rawlings and his wife.
He stress that the internal rankling in the NDC has affected the growth and development of the nation.


Meanwhile, President Mills said his “unprecedented achievements” speak for themselves and there is no need for his government to spend so much time to speaking about it. He assured the people of Ghana of better economic improvement in his next term in office.
But Sir John cautioned the NDC not to deceive themselves in thinking that Ghanaians would vote for them in the forthcoming elections.