Specific information on sanctions being imposed by the government against Ghanaian business could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

The Financial Times reports of "sour" relations between President Rawlings of Ghana and the business community, but no additional information is provided (4 Aug. 1995).

However, West Africa carried an announcement in August 1993 alleging that the People's Daily Graphic newspaper had published statements by President Jerry Rawlings to the effect that Ghanaians "should boycott 'buying soap from the Appiah-Menkas, salt from the Appentengs and textile from the Frempong-Ansahs'" (9-15 Aug. 1993, 1393). The announcement makes reference to the "unjust treatment and harassment that has been meted out to Vacuum Sea Products Ltd. over the last 11 years ..." and describes some of the travails the company has had to face (ibid.).

In July 1993 West Africa made a brief reference to a speech given by Rawlings, in which he is alleged to have "found it necessary to attack Ghanaian businessman Mr. Appiah Menkah in his 4 June speech and also urge Ghanaians not to buy his soap" (19-25 July 1993, 1261).

Africa Confidential reported that a June speech given by Rawlings "telling Ghanaians to boycott products made by companies supporting opposition parties reinforced perceptions of political discrimination" (13 Aug. 1993, 8). This source also reported that supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) felt that "they have been hit by discrimination in the allocation of contracts by government institutions and public enterprises ..." (ibid.).

For additional information on the above, please consult the attachments.

Africa Confidential reported in 1992 that the PNDC government of Rawlings was seen as "anti-business" because of "the arrest and detention of B.A. Mensah, the owner of International Tobacco Ghana and of Dr. Kwame Safo-Addo, whose pharmaceutical factory was seized by the army" (7 Feb. 1992, 2).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Africa Confidential [London]. 13 August 1993. Vol. 34, No. 16. "Ghana: Rapprochement Party."

_____. 7 February 1992. Vol. 33, No. 3. "Ghana: Dusting Off the Political Suits."

Financial Times [London]. 4 August 1995. Michael Holman. "Survey of Ghana." (NEXIS)

West Africa [London]. 9-15 August 1993. "Appenteng Breaks His Silence."

_____. 19-25 July 1993. Barbara Akakpo. "Ghana: High Expectations."

Africa Confidential [London]. 13 August 1993. Vol. 34, No. 16. "Ghana: Rapprochement Party," p. 8.

West Africa [London]. 9-15 August 1993. "Appenteng Breaks His Silence," pp. 1393-95.

_____. 19-25 July 1993. Barbara Akakpo. "Ghana: High Expectations," pp. 1260-62.