Adding to the Whigham Chronicle: How tracing of my Scottish roots began

Whigham R.D., Goldstreet Business

I grew up in a community with lots of Negroes - black skinned people. I was always curious in finding out why my father - Robert Dundas Whigham (Born 31st July, 1946) had lighter skin which was quite different from the people around me. 

To add, my three siblings had the same colour, with the exception of me who took largely the colour of my mother - Christiana Ackah, a retired Ghanaian midwife born on March 1st, 1956. 

At the age of 10, in 1995 when I was in basic school class 4, I started asking my father how comes he was fair because at the time his colleagues used to call him "obroni", an Akan name for white people. Akan is the largest tribe in Ghana. 

He told me lots of things, but most of the things he said, he had less idea about them but gave me some indicators and clues. However, that is not his fault because his father (my grandfather) Robert Dandas Whigham never saw his father. 

My grandfather was two months old when his father Captain Robert Dundas Whigham, born on 31st January, 1873 left the Gold Coast colony to Liverpool for his mandatory leave and never returned. However,  some sources have stated that he returned to the colony. He was a top official of the West African Frontier Force, Gold Coast Regiment. 

Captain Robert Dundas Whigham's father was called Gen. Robert  William Whigham. Gen. W. Whigham had a sibling known as David Dundas Whigham. David also had a son called Robert Dundas Whigham, who later became Gen. Sir, born on August 5th 1865-1950. This means that both of the RDW were direct cousins. During the time Captain RDW was in the Gold Coast, his cousin was in the Egyptian Army. 

How I started 

In 2004, after I had completed Nsein Secondary School, my father's back born Florence Whigham visited us. Immediately she saw the name (Dandas) on my trunk, she said the spelling of the name was wrong and corrected it to Dundas. 

I had then bought nursing training form wanting to be trained as a nurse. But for three consecutive times (3 years), I couldn't gain admission. I had to look elsewhere. 

The following year (2008), I left my parents and traveled from the Western part of the county (Sefwi-Wiawso) to Accra, the capital of Ghana to begin the process of getting admission to any possible tertiary institution. This was because most of my mates were progressing in life and I didn't feel comfortable. 

In Accra, I was staying with my uncle, that's my mother's senior brother called Gordon Daniel Ackah (14th February, 1939 to 20th May, 2017).

Shortly, I gained admission to an unaccredited journalism institution - Manifold Institute in Accra. I never knew the school did not have the required papers to operate. 

However, that was where everything began. At that time, I was called Dandas Whigham. In one of our ICT lessons, obviously my first experience having an internet on a computer, I googled my name and saw lots of information and pictures. 

The first indicator on the screen was Gen. Sir Robert Dundas Whigham, and I remembered some of the things my father told me when I asked him why he was fair. 

I drew the Director's attention on what I had seen on the screen. He was interested and directed me to the National Archives in Accra for additional  information to confirm his presence here in Ghana. 

At the archives department, I bought a form and registered. I begun to search and spent over three hours before settling on a name - Captain Robert Dundas Whigham. They brought his official personal file. 

After seeing it and reading what was in the file, I became VERY emotional. It was a moment of sadness looking at his records and I "wandered" why must we suffer if indeed we relate to such a "great" person. 

The next day, I showed copies of the file to my school's director (Mr. Anaman). He directed to the British Council in Accra for advice. Upon reaching there, a lady at the reception directed me to the Salvation Army because that was not their core mandate. 

A worker at the Salvation Army - Mr Coffie, was extremely helpful to me. Through him, I traveled to other places in the country namely Kumasi, Cape Coast and Takoradi to collect additional useful documents to match them with what I had gotten already. That was when I got the 1907 gazette at the Cape Coast archives where Captain RDW's name was mentioned. 

As at that time, I did not know any details about my grandfather. He died in June 1984 and I was born on July 1985. After going to where he worked - Ghana Railways and Harbour in Takoradi in the Western Coast of Ghana to collect his documents, that was when I saw that he was called Robert Dandas Whigham, born on 14th October, 1911. My father asked me to go there.

For a strategic reason, I added Robert to my name, swore affidavit and changed Dandas to Dundas because according to my father, I was named after my grandfather. Subsequent, I added Dundas to the names of my three siblings -Emmanuel Dundas Whigham and the twins Charles and Christina Dundas Whigham. This was in 2009. 

Since then, I tried establishing direct contact with the family in the UK, but was unsuccessful. 

The school became defunct due to some reasons. I left and attended Jayee University College, Accra and graduated with First Class in Journalism in 2015, after completing the previous year.

About my grandfather 

Older people at his family house in the coastal city of Cape Coast lamented the kind of suffering he went through. He never saw his father. It was rather his mom's uncle - Mr. Acquah, who knew Captain RDW and thus gave the name to the child, and possibly misspelt the middle name. 

Sources said the uncle was directed by the Captain to name the child after him. As to whether Captain RDW saw the child before he left on 22nd December, 1911, I can't tell. 

Officially, my grandfather had four children. They were 

Dorothy Whigham (1942, LATE), 

Robert Dandas Whigham (1944, LATE), 

Charles Whigham (1946, ALIVE) and 

Florence Whigham. (1948, ALIVE)

Now listen to this, my father was the third born - Charles Whigham. This is what happened. 

The second born Robert Dandas Whigham travelled to Germany at the age of 18. At that time, their father had already gotten an opportunity for him to be trained at his (father) work place as an artisan, but because he wasn't around then, the father didn't want that chance to go wasted. He sent my father (Charles) to occupy that space, they did not correct the name. 

Since then, he had been using that name and all his working documents have been RDW.  

My motive for carrying out this assignment had never been seeking for any goodies for my family, but to get the two families get in touch.

Apart from establishing direct contact with a great grandson of Walter K. Whigham from Facebook whose name is Charlie Whigham, I have since not established any contact with neither the descendants of Gen. Sir RDW or Maj. (Captain) RDW. Walter was one of the siblings of David Dundas Whigham.

I have already named my new baby girl Ann Dundas Whigham, born on January 30th, 2019 in Accra. 

Ghana needs $30m to properly archive public records

The Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) in Accra needs close to $30 million for digitization and restoration of archival repositories, checks by the Goldstreet Business have revealed. 

    

Documents sighted states that out of the amount, about $5 million is needed to digitize and catalogue all public records at all regional offices whereas about $11 million is estimated to cater for restoration of archival repositories and infrastructure. 

The remaining amount will be used to carry out some equally important works by the department.  

Digitization

Regarding digitization, estimated materials of 20,000 sheets will be scanned and the cost of scanning and saving is pegged at $4,000,000. An amount of $200,000 will be used to cover cost of repairing damaged materials in all ten regional offices, $100,000 to be used to cater for stock taking, whiles $150,000 will be needed to cover the cost of selecting materials to be digitized and their arrangement processes.

Restoration

With respect to restoration of the archival repository, an amount of over $10 million will be required for the establishment of new, modern and well-equipped repository whereas $500,000 will be needed to refurbish all ten regional offices.           

Since the establishment of PRAAD, checks have revealed that none of their records have been digitized whereas all their operations have largely been manual.        

The Acting Director of PRAAD, Mr. Felix N Ampong, recently stated that government has provided Ghc1 million to start with the digitization process.                                                                                                                          

A source at PRAAD who spoke on condition of anonymity mentioned that the money government provided – which is just one-tenth of the total amount needed for digitization alone, is woefully inadequate to carry out any serious work and that it is possible the state could lose most of her vital public records after 10 years.

Additional checks by Goldstreet Business further revealed that many of Ghana’s public records at PRAAD are getting deteriorated. This is because it is largely made up of paper files which have are partly torn, moldy, dusty and partially decayed due to continuous handling and humid weather conditions.  The source emphasized it was important government takes immediate steps to provide adequate resources for digitization to kick start.

The source stated that currently the amount needed to preserve the records from rot and further damage is far cheaper than the amount to be used to conserve them, and added that it was important the state pays greater attention to the department before it reaches crisis period.

“Storage of records here is a problem. 

We need to operate under a controlled temperature that is favourable to the papers. Papers need to be kept under a controlled temperature to maintain their quality”, the source said.

A visit at the department’s repository revealed that the place has not seen any major refurbishment since its establishment. The faulty air-conditioners at the repository have not been replaced in the last 15 years.

“We have huge infrastructural deficit at PRAAD. Some of the records are so fragile, and we need to restore them. Some of the records are really going too bad”, the source explained.

Act of Parliament

The PRAAD was established by a Legislative Instrument (L.I 1628) in 1996 through an Act of Parliament, Act 535, 1997. The department is mandated by law for proper and effective management of all records in public institutions of government.

The department is also mandated by law to ensure that all public institutions and individuals who create and maintain public records follow good record keeping practices.

However, checks at its head office in Accra revealed the department is unable to carry out this constitutional mandate because it is largely under resourced.

Fire

Concerns have been raised by some civil society groups and individuals expressing the sorry nature of the facility.

The source noted that, since none of their items have been digitized at the moment, should any inferno strike the facility; it is possible that the state could lose all its records. The source mentioned that the department has communicated this to the Presidency and all institutions involved, but are yet to receive any major monetary facility.

“We have communicated in writing to the Presidency and Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu- Ekuful, on the challenges we are currently facing. What the government has given to us is just Ghc1 million to begin with digitization. We will take the most important files and start with them first”, the source stressed.   

Records keeping and preservation have been a major factor facing the country. It can be recalled that in October, 2009, fire gutted the entire building of the Foreign Affairs Ministry which left many key historical documents burnt.

Importance

PRAAD played a crucial role during the maritime border disputes between Ghana and Ivory Coast, which saw Ghana winning. The archiver provided reliable historical documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to help the nation support its arguments in court.

Again, a number of chieftaincy disputes have been settled with reliable archival documents from PRAAD.

The Manual Invited to Participate in West Africa Conference on Investigative Journalism

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in collaboration with DW Akademie – a subsidiary of DW Media Network, has extended an invitation to The Manual to be part of this year’s West Africa Conference on Investigative Journalism to be held in Accra.

The two-day conference, which starts Wednesday, 10^th to Thursday 11^th October, 2018 will bring together seasoned investigative journalists from across the sub-region to discuss and deliberate on the state of the industry and issues affecting it as well as recommending key important points on how to improve on the current state of investigative journalism in the West African sub-region.

Investigative journalism in Ghana may not be the preferred area for many Ghanaian media practitioners, both practicing and trainee journalists. This is largely due to the mindset and impression that there are lots of risk associated with the industry.

However, despite the risks, some journalists have distinguished themselves properly in the field of investigations. Their respective works and findings have contributed significantly to society’s development. This has largely affected every sphere of the human endeavour.

It is therefore important to note that conferences like this will go a long way to imparting knowledge, skill acquisition, build capacity and further resource journalists to enable more media practitioners to take up the mantle in the field of investigations.

It is in this regard that the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) recently set up the ACILA Investigative Journalism Fund which is aimed at giving adequate resources to investigative journalists who have identified an area of interest and want to investigate on such teasing issues.

The Executive Director of ACILA Mr. William Nyarko has mentioned that the fund has come at a time where journalists have complained that the industry is not further resourced and with this fund established, journalists will be able to access for funding to begin their respective assignments.   

The conference is one of the many invitations that have been extended to The Manual in our quest to expose corrupt acts of bad nuts in the society for actions to be taken by regulatory bodies and responsible institutions accordingly.     

The MFWA is a regional independent non-governmental organization which focuses on Media development and Freedom of Expression in the west African sub region. Its Executive Director is Sulemana Braimah.

Editorial: Dealing With Over Aging Saga at Public Institutions

Daniel Domelove, Auditor-General

It is an undeniable fact that some, if not many public service staff have crossed the constitutionally mandated retirement age of 60 years, yet some of these public staff have been able to manipulate the system by providing “fake” birth certificates which has enabled them linger on at their various respective work place.

On the other, there are thousands of unemployed graduates, with requisite qualifications in their respective area of study and an equally good working experience, yet many of such graduates have unable to secure good jobs, thereby becoming liabilities instead asserts to their families.

It is to this effect that on May 1, 2018, President Akuffo-Addo launched the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), an initiative aimed at employing 100,000 unemployed graduates to assist in the public sector delivery needs of the country for three years with monthly stipend of Gh700.

The programme started on October 1, 2018 with qualified applicants, having undergone their respective district orientation, are awaiting placement to fully start work.

Briefing the press last month, the Auditor-General Daniel Domelovo admonished government to amend the law if retirement age “should be 80”. According to him, the deliberate manner and practice of how some public staff who have crossed the mandatory age of 60 are still competing with the young people for the same fewer job spaces is worrying.

Through leadership by example, Mr. Domelovo mentioned that when he is 60 years, he would not ask for one minute to finish a specific assignment, he would leave for someone to occupy his position.  

One thing that caught The Manual’s attention in his presentation is the mention of “fake” birth certificate used by some public staff to outwit the system so they could continue working for long.

The Auditor-General added that it is very difficult matching the physique of some staff to the birth certificate they have provided. “It is only when they die then you see their real ages. How can you retire at age 60 today and tomorrow when you die, you are 82?” Mr. Domelovo asked.

The Manual sees this as a worrying issue and that as a matter of urgency; all regulatory bodies including the Audit Service and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) must act swiftly to clean up the system of such canker.

Regarding the question asked by the Auditor-General during his presentation, we therefore suggest that it is important the Audit Service and SSNIT work together and deduct the deceased service benefit from the age range in question.

For instance, when a public staff retires at age 60 and is given 70 years when he dies, we believe that his service benefit concerning the additional 10 years he had worked for, which is largely because he was able to outwit the system, must be deducted from the deceased gratuity. This measure is reactive, but will go a long way to further help in cleaning up the system.

It is also prudent that the various regulatory bodies become proactive in dealing with over-age issue at the public sector. This must be done by liaising with the Alma mater of staff in securing their personal information and correspond them with what has been provided by them.

One strong measure to send shivers down the spine of such persons involved in this act is prosecution and conviction. We at The Manual believe that until the state starts prosecuting and convicting people found to be culpable in this regards, it will be a bit difficult to further clean up the system.

Everything is doable. It is a matter of initiating concrete steps to support what is to be done.

Agyarko Deserved Sack – Justice Short

Fmr. CHRAJ Boss, Justice Emile Short 

In attempt to winning the fight against corruption in this current administration, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday 6^th August, dismissed the Energy Minister Mr. Boakye Agyarko to satisfy the public’s outcry on his actions relating to the renegotiation of AMERI Power agreement.

It is in view of this that the former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Justice Emile Short waved into the matter relating to the dismissal of the Minister for Energy, saying the minister did not do his work properly and that he deserved the sacking. He further praised the president for his swift action in the process.     

On Monday, August 6^th, the President, Nana Akufo Addo relieved Mr. Boakye Agyarko from his post with immediate effect. Though no official reason was given in the release, it is widely known that it was as a result of the controversial renegotiation agreement between the Energy Minister and AEMRI Power Group where the president had earlier mentioned that he was misled.   

Adding to this development, Justice Short stated that the fact that Mr. Agyarko misled the president meant that the Energy Minister failed to do his work properly as expected of him.   

“Yes sure [he deserved the sacking], because to the extent that he has misled the president, he has to accept that he hasn’t done his work properly. It’s unfortunate because he appears to be energetic person, but this is a serious matter and there are so many institutions and individuals calling for his sack. That is what the president has done”, he told The Manual. 

Justice Short further stated that the president cannot read every document that is brought before him and that he relies on his ministers and advisers for onward approval and advice. He opined that his dismissal will send a strong signal to all ministers to be weary of their actions in matters relating to their work.

“Everybody was calling for him to be dismissed. The president cannot read every document. He has to rely on his ministers and advisers. So if he was misled by the Minister for Energy, he [Boakye Agyarko] has to be held responsible. The fact that he has been sacked will be a deterrent to other ministers and they will do more due diligence”, Justice Short, who was once a former judge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda mentioned.

Following his dismissal, the president has asked Mr. Boakye Agyarko to hand over his office to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Mr. John Peter Amewu who will act temporarily as the Minister for Energy until a substantive appointment is made.

Group Urged Ghana to Pass International Criminal Court Bill

Justice Emile Short, Fmr. Commissioner for CHRAJ

Human Rights advocates and Civil Society Groups are urging Ghana to pass the International Criminal Court Bill, which Ghana ratified in 1999 and came into effect in 2002, in order to deal with criminal cases in the country should the need arises.

This came to the lime light during a discussion commemorating the 20^th Anniversary of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which also coincided with the 20^th Anniversary of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in a debate held at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, Accra. 

The debate was on the theme, Twenty years of the ICC: The Hits, Misses and Prospects for Pursuing Justice for Victims of Atrocity Crimes.  

A member of the experts panel, Justice Emile Short, who is also a former judge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, stated it is important the society puts pressure on the government to pass the International Criminal Court Bill to satisfy the provision of the Rome Statute.

He noted that it is eminent because the cases that sent some countries into war and conflicts arose from electoral disputes

“It is important the society puts pressure on government to pass the legislation of the International Criminal Court Bill and to take steps to reciprocate the Rome Statute and also develop our national criminal justice system to be prepared to deal with such cases”, Justice Short said.

He further mentioned that it is imperative to be proactive rather than being reactive in dealing with criminal matters in the sense that the issues that sent countries like Kenya and Ivory Coast into conflicts arose from electoral disputes. 

He mentioned that such cases can also occur in the country.

“We must never think that it [electoral conflicts] would not happen in Ghana. Nobody thought it could occur in Ivory Coast and Kenya. In Kenya and Ivory Coast, conflicts arose from elections. So it is a remote possibility that conflicts that occurred in Kenya and Ivory Coast, which gave rise to commissions of atrocities can apply and occur in Ghana”, the former judge mentioned.

Justice Short stressed it is not surprising that the ICC is dealing with cases relating to Africa because the African continent is a host to so many conflicts that affect many lives and properties and it is vital that Africa supports the ICC in giving justice to victims of criminal atrocities.

The Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) also shared similar views during the debate. 

Its Executive Director, Mr. William Nyarko mentioned that Ghana was one of the first to adopt the Rome Statute in 1999 and under the statute, once there is ratification, there should be domestication of the international law.

“Under the Rome Statute, once there is ratification, the state must have a local law to back its implementation. When a crime [one that the national court is unable or unwilling to handle] happens in Ghana that the ICC wants to prosecute, we do not have to send a Ghanaian to The Hague. The ICC can sit here and deal with the matter”, ACILA Boss stated.

Asked why Ghana has since not ratified the Rome Statute, the Executive Director insisted that there has not been the demand for it's implementation by the populace and that politicians are only focusing on what they feel the people want.

In the opening remarks by the Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Mr. Henry Prempeh, shared same sentiment and echoed for the state to take immediate steps in passing the bill 19 years after Ghana ratified. 

He stressed that Ghana must align its national laws with the Rome Statute by passing the International Criminal Court Bill.

The Rome Statute is a treaty that established the ICC. It was adopted in Rome, Italy on July 17^th, 1998 and entered into force on July 1, 2002. 

The Chairperson for the occasion was H.E. Akua Kuenyehia, former judge and first Vice President of the ICC. Among the expert panelists were Ms. Evelyn Ankumah, Executive Director, Africa Legal Aid at The Hague, H.E. Kabral Blay-Amihere, Former Ambassador TO Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast and Prof. Anne Pieter Van Der Mei, Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, Maastricht University,                        

We Are Not Promoting LGBTI Rights - ACILA

William Nyarko, ACILA Executive Director

Executive Director of Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), Mr. William Nyarko has stated that the recent release of the first ever comprehensive survey on lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersexual people (LGBTI) by his organization is not aimed at promoting the rights of LGBTI persons.

He, however, mentioned that the import of the survey prior to its commencement was rather to monitor Ghana’s acceptance of the recommendations by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to provide equal protection of the Law against violence and discrimination for LGBTI people.

Mr. Nyarko was speaking during a two day ACILA Capacity Building Workshop of the survey titled “Popular Attitudes Towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexual People in Ghana”, at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, Accra on Monday July 30^th.

“We are not promoting LGBT rights and neither are we urging the media to go out there to promote their rights. What we are saying is that Ghana has ratified a UN Human Rights recommendation to provide equal protection of the law from violence and discrimination against LGBTI people in accordance with Ghana’s domestic law and International Human Rights Law obligations. This is what we are urging the state to act accordingly”, he stressed.

The survey with a sample size of 1200 respondents and probability sampling method was conducted in a number of urban and rural areas from five regions out of the ten regions from 4^th to 20^th June 2018. They were Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Volta and Northern regions. 

Lead researcher Mr. Kojo Impraim mentioned that these five regions were chosen due to their cosmopolitan nature. This, he noted that the views of respondents represent the total views of Ghanaians.

Key issues pointed out 

The survey shows that about 60% of Ghanaians strongly disagree or disagree LGBTI people must be treated equally as heterosexuals. The same percentage of respondents are unaware that Ghana has ratified a UN recommendation to provide equal protection of the Law for LGBTI people.

On November 7, 2017, Ghana appeared before the UNHRC for a review of its human rights records under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Though Ghana rejected the recommendations to legalize same-sex marriage or decriminalize consensual sexual relation, but accepted to provide Equal Protection of the Law from violence and discrimination against LGBTI people in accordance with Ghana’s domestic law and international human rights law obligations.  

Again, the survey showed over 80% of Ghanaians are aware of their human rights which are guaranteed in the 1992 constitution of Ghana. However, the same percentage of Ghanaians forbid LGBT people from meeting. This development, ACILA boss insisted that it is important we separate the facts that we do not want that act from abusing their basic rights such as physical abuse and homophobic statements.

He mentioned that Ghana declined to legalize same sex marriage when it met with the UN Human Rights Council in 2017, but in so far as Ghana committed itself to give equal protection against violence and discrimination for LGBTI people; this must be recognized as such.   

The survey also showed that more than 80% of Ghanaians –Moslems, Christians and Traditionalists, are very uncomfortable associating themselves with LGBT people. To add to this, the research shows that more than 97% of respondents are aware that the police has a responsibility to protect every citizen against mob injustice. It added that over 94% of Ghanaians agreed that anyone who engages in mob activity must face the law.

However, 20% of Ghanaians disagreed that the police has a responsibility to protect LGBTI people against mob injustice whereas a significant number of Ghanaians (87%) are against allowing LGBTI people holding public meetings to discuss LGBT issues.

This survey clearly shows that Ghanaians are against anything that has to do with LGBTI people and thus, demonstrated a total rejection of their activities. It also tells that if such people avail themselves as LGBT, their lives could be at risk on the basis that Ghanaians are not aware that the rights gays and lesbians must be secured and protected.  

Mr. Nyarko mentioned that no individual or institution in Ghana is pushing for the legalization of LGBT activities, but insisted their inherent basic rights of people must exist.

One interesting outcome of the survey bordered on health matters. Asked if Ghanaians would receive “emergency medical treatment” from a health practitioner perceived to be LGBTI, 67% noted their readiness to do that.

Thirty per cent of Christians, 40% of Moslems and 50% of Traditionalists mentioned they will not receive “emergency medical treatment” from a health staff perceived to be LGBTI. For instance, the result showed that 40% of Ghanaians between the ages of 51-60 years who, naturally could suffer from diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure said they will not receive emergency medical care from doctor or nurse perceived to be LGBTI.        

ACILA Releases Report on LGBT Survey

Result of survey, Source: ACILA 

Policy and Education think tank, Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) is set to release the first ever comprehensive survey on lesbianism, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

The survey with an estimated sample size of 1,200 using random sampling procedure has produced some interesting findings and analyses which will engage the minds of the Ghanaian public in the coming weeks.

Executive Director of ACILA, Mr. William Nyarko in a discussion stated that no individual or institution is pushing for the legalization of LGBT, but insisted the basic rights of people must exist.

ACILA has already released a teaser of the survey on what the public must expect on Monday and Tuesday 30^th and 31^st July, 2018 at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra.

One critical area the research focused was on the health sector. Under this section, people’s beliefs were put into test against LGBT issues. Respondents, consisting Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists were asked if they would allow medical practitioners with the perception of being LGBT administer “emergency treatment” on them. Results from respondents were very close.

For instance, three (3) out of ten (10) Christians noted they would reject “emergency medical treatment” from a health practitioner perceived to be LGBT. In the Islamic Religion, four (4) out of (10) respondents noted they would not receive “emergency medical treatment” from a health practitioner whiles in the traditional religion, it was five apiece.

Result of Survey, Source: ACILA 

With respect to gender, four (4) out of ten (10) females were against “emergency treatment” from a health practitioner perceived to be LGBT whiles three out of ten males also shared similar views.

What this survey means is that the sexual orientation of health practitioners does not matter to the Ghanaian patient in the administering of emergency medical treatment. 

However, many of these respondents are against the recognition of LGBT rights in Ghana. 

Another area the research focused was on mob justice. A total of 98 respondents sided that it is the duty of the police to protect every individual from mob injustice. 

However, the survey showed that 72 of them stated that LGBT people should be protected from from mob injustice. 

This tells that, many Ghanaians may consult health staff perceived to be LGBT, but some respondents support mob injustice against them.     

Pollution Alert: Weija Lake Now Refuse Dump Site

Weija Lake encroached & polluted by cottage industries  

A Unit Committee Member at Weija Electoral Area in Weija Gbawe Municipality in the Greater Accra Region and some residents around Weija Lake are accusing the Asafoatse (Chief) in the area, Nii Aryee Pampamku I for polluting the lake by using a portion of land closer to the lake as refuse dump site.   

The member, who spoke to The Manual on condition of anonymity for fear of being victimized, noted that in recent times, both the military and police personnel on some occasions have been to the dumping site to warn the people engaged in the activity, but they have always returned to resume work.

This, the residents and the committee member believed there is higher political undertone that is enabling the activity to go on unstopped. 

The Manual was the area to see firsthand and noticed the level of irresponsible dumping of refuse in the lake and what we found out was jaw dropping as huge pile of refuse is dumped daily at that sensitive area despite complaints from residents living there. 

Some residents noted that it is unhealthy to use that portion of land very close to the lake as dumping site. Their worry was that should cholera outbreak hit the area, it will have adverse effects on them.

The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Wilfred Blankson noted that portion of land belongs to the Asafoatse, but the Assembly has not granted him permit to use it as refuse dump site.

Asked why the activity is still ongoing whiles the Chief does not have permit, Mr. Blankson stated that the whole problem is that the area does not have a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE). He added that with the presence of an MCE, things will be done swiftly. 

“That is a multi-million question everybody is asking. The authorities have worked on it; how to stop it, how to go about it, they invited him, he came and provided his indentures. The most important thing is that we don’t have an MCE but the assembly can do something about” the assemblyman said.

Meanwhile, he stated that the Chief had argued he had good intentions for the youths in the community, and if those intentions were true, he sees it as a “laudable idea”, but the manner its being done is the problem.

“The Asafoatse had argued that there is no major source of employment for the youth. He said the place is being used as a dumping site and afterwards the land will be filled with laterite and sealed. After this is done, they will not build on it, but panels will be installed as a company will soon come with heavy equipments to establish factory at the area. Because there are no lands in the district, he [Asafoatse] has taken it upon himself in order to assist the youth in getting jobs. If this is true, fine”, Mr. Blankso added. 

Dumping site: some refused washed into the lake 

In a sharp twist, the Assemblyman was very disappointed and expressed his outmost surprise and shock in the residents. According to him, when the activity started, he brought the press to cover the people’s plight for action to be taken. However, the residents expressed their satisfaction of the activity openly to the media.

“I took him [Asafoatse] on by reporting him to the assembly. I went to Onua FM and Citi FM; we had discussions on that issue. They were at the place with their reporters. Some residents who spoke to the media, however, stated that dumping of refuse at the area is rather helping them because since the activity began, whenever Ghana Water Company Limited spills water, it does not affect them unlike previously”.

“Therefore, the refuse dump at the area is good for them. At that time, I was there with a unit committee member and some colleagues; we were utterly shocked with their response”, he lamented.  

Several attempts have been done to contact the Chief to respond on these issues, but all efforts aimed at reaching him proved futile.

Due to the continuous pollution of the Weija Lake, the Water Resources Commission (WRC) has hinted that the Kasoa toll booth and all illegal structures, including cottage industries around the lake will soon be demolished to protect the river body.

The lake provides 3 million gallons of portable water per day. Twenty-one (21) communities and over 3 million people in Western Accra and Central Region depend on the dam.

Establish Independent Police Complaint Commission to deal with Police unprofessional conduct, ACILA Boss

William Nyarko, ACILA Executive Director

The Executive Director for policy and research think tank - Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), Mr. William Nyarko is urging President Nana Akufo-Addo to establish Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC) to deal with Police unprofessional conduct.

President Akufo-Addo after being briefed of an assault case of a policeman brutalizing a customer at a branch of Midland Savings and Loans in Accra coupled with the recent police shooting incident in Asawase in the Ashanti Region mentioned that government will establish a committee of inquiry to look into the events and make recommendations going forward.

It is as a result of this response the Executive Director stepped-in to advice the president that such a committee is needless and urged him to rather concentrate on the implementation of IPCC. 

“Ghana agreed to a recommendation to establish the Independent Police Complaint Commission when its human rights record was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council in November 2017 and we should follow through and establish the Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC)”, Mr. Nyarko stressed.

“Mr. President respectfully we don’t need a ‘conumtea’[committee] to investigate the conduct of police officers, he jovially added.

The Executive Director further noted that instead of establishing a committee on matters like this where final reports of committees have always been left to rot on the shelves, it was important the state allows the criminal justice system to work in bringing unprofessional security personnel to the full rigorous of the law.

“We have to allow the criminal justice system to work by prosecuting these officers and if they are found guilty, they should do time in prison in accordance with due process’, Mr. Nyarko noted. 

Following the Midland Savings and Loans police brutality, the police hierarchy has interdicted the officer involved in the alleged assault case and commenced investigations into the conduct of the police officer.

The assault has resulted in many social media condemnation. Some civil society groups and individuals have come out to condemn the action and have urged stricter punishment to be taken against the policeman Federick Ammanor. 

However, the family of the policemen in an interesting twist apologized to the public and the family of the victim and stated that their relative “usually” beats up women.