Story: Kwame Asare Boadu in Kumasi
& Zakaria Alhassan in Tamale
EQYPT and Cameroun yesterday emerged the top nations in Group C at the ongoing MTN 26th Africa Cup of Nations tournament to ensure their places in the quarter-final round of the competition.
But at the end of the day, it was Camerounian striker Samuel Eto’o Fils, who cut a significant slice of football history as he eclipsed Ivorian legend Laurent Pokou to become the Africa Cup of Nations all-time leading goal scorer after scoring twice in the Indomitable Lions’ 3-0 victory over the Sokoor Al-Jediane of The Sudan at the Tamale Stadium.
His goals, one in each half of the match, took the striker’s tally to 16, two goals more than the 38-year-old record held by Pokou who achieved the magical 14-goal mark at the 1970 Nations Cup in Sudan.
Cameroun’s emphatic victory not only propelled the team into the quarter-finals stage of the tournament but also sent The Sudan packing home as the only team which failed to score a single goal in the tournament after losing all group matches.
It was a double celebration for the Barcelona striker who was voted MTN Man of the Match and also became the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals. His record-shattering goal came in the 25th minute through spot kick after team-mate Achille Emma was heavily brought down in the penalty box.
Cameroun’s opening goal appeared to have unsettled the Sudanese who subsequently lost focus and succumbed to intense pressure after conceding an own goal in the 34th minute when the ball bounced off Mohammed Alikhidir.
The well-composed Sudanese defence, built around Kuku Damar, Lado Jastein and Hado Yousif frustrated the hungry Lions attackers who were on the prowl in search for more goals.
Determined to redeem their battered image in the tournament, Sudan resumed the second half more strongly but failed to utilise the scoring chances that came their way as they paid dearly for poor shooting and hardly troubled Cameroun goalie Idriss Kameni.
In the dying minutes of the game, Eto’o raised the bar even higher with his all-time 16th goal after capitalising on a counter-attack to fire home Cameroun’s third goal.
Sudan’s only consolation was the Samsung Fair Play award won by Mustafa Karar.
And in Kumasi, hopes by Egypt to complete the group outings unblemished fizzled out as a determined Zambia held them to 1-1 drawn game at the Baba Yara Stadium last night.
The North Africans had plucked a first half goal and were coasting to a marginal victory when the Chipolopolo clawed back valiantly in the 88th minute.
But the Egyptians who topped the group on seven points would remain in Kumasi to meet the runner-up in Group D in the quarter finals.
A vociferous group of supporters from Cairo numbering about 100 and sponsored by Pepsi provided an inspirational back-up to the Pharaohs but that was not enough for the Egyptians to finish on a clean sheet. By the 10th minute it had become clear that the battle was going to be fought on an even keel.
Zambia were defiant even under excessive pressure, fortifying their defence and trying to catch the Egyptians on the break through the middle.
Lanky Zambian striker Jacob Mulenga and skipper Christopher Katongo kept showing signs of changing the game in their favour but persistently lacked the fire power to find a way past experienced Egyptian goalkeeper Esam El-Hadary.
Finding himself in firing range in the 21st minute, Mulenga attempted to deceive El-Hadary with a back flick but failed, while Katongo was denied in the box in the 25th minute by Wahed Said.
When they attempted to secure the wings, Egypt probed for the opener which came after 15minutes.
A sweeping move from the middle saw wing back Wahed Said released in space on the left , and he swung in a crosss for Zamelek striker Amr Zaky to whip the ball past Michal Poto in post for Zambia.
The pendulum remained balanced but it remained clear that Hosni, Abdrabou was missing the partnership of Mohammed Zidan who was kept on the bench by trainer Hassan Shehata.
The Chipolopolo’s game plan was to deplore more men on Hosni and whereas the Ismaily midfielder remained anonymous in the game, the Egyptians could harldy click.
Malian referee Coulibaly Koman booked Zambia’s Isaac Chansa in the 41st minute for a violent tackle as the Zambians tried to cut out the Pharaohs from all angles.
Amr Zaky came up with some unpardonable misses in the second part of the game and he was pulled out after 60minutes for Mohammed Abou Treka.
Zidan was also introduced into the game in the second half but his typical surging runs were absent as Joseph Musonda and Hmonde Hichani trapped him in his tracks.
Unconvinced by the Zambians inability to advance, Coach Patrick Phiri came up with substitutions and this turned the game in their favour. Substitute Phiri Adubelo who replaced Mulenga was industrious and the Egyptian backline found him difficult to handle.
The equalizing goal came two minutes to regulation time when Katongo who had dashed to the left trapped a long ball and turned his marker inside out before powering a right-footed angle shot past El-Hadary. It was a brilliant goal and the Egyptians attempt to fight back failed.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
SET UP METRO COUNCILS — Dr PREMPEH (Page 30)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
A FORMER presiding member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Dr Edward Prempeh, has called for the establishment of sub-metro councils in the four sub-metropolitan areas of Kumasi.
He told the Daily Graphic that the establishment of the councils was a statutory requirement and expressed concern that no meaningful effort had been made by the KMA to put them in place.
He said even though the offices of the sub-metros were working, their work could not be complete without the councils.
Kumasi has four sub-metro areas — Bantama, Asokwa, Subin and Manhyia. The councils, when established, would make bye-laws and undertake decisions that would complement the efforts of the KMA to move the development agenda of the entire metropolis forward.
Membership of the councils would include assembly members within the sub-metro and government appointees and others.
Dr Prempeh, who is a private medical practitioner, said the KMA and the entire Kumasi metropolis would stand to benefit when the councils started working.
“The KMA, therefore, should do everything to facilitate the effective operation of the sub-metro councils in Kumasi,” he said.
Dr Prempeh said the sub-metros were an important part of the decentralisation programme and must be supported to deliver.
“Decentralisation is an important programme but it looks like some people are not prepared to allow it to work for obvious reasons,” the former presiding member stressed.
He said before he left office as presiding member about four years ago, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment had initiated moves to establish the councils but the “lackadaisical attitude by the KMA” stalled the process.
The former presiding member further said he also wrote a letter to the ministry and the then regional minister, Mr S.K. Boafo, about the need to establish the councils but nothing positive came out of it.
Dr Prempeh stressed that Kumasi had grown to the extent that it needed about 10 sub-metros for effective administration.
“And if we do not have the money to do this, we must strengthen what we already have to get the process going,” Dr Prempeh said.
He stated that revenue mobilisation was crucial to the effective functioning of the KMA, and the strengthening of the sub-metros was crucial in that effect.
A FORMER presiding member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Dr Edward Prempeh, has called for the establishment of sub-metro councils in the four sub-metropolitan areas of Kumasi.
He told the Daily Graphic that the establishment of the councils was a statutory requirement and expressed concern that no meaningful effort had been made by the KMA to put them in place.
He said even though the offices of the sub-metros were working, their work could not be complete without the councils.
Kumasi has four sub-metro areas — Bantama, Asokwa, Subin and Manhyia. The councils, when established, would make bye-laws and undertake decisions that would complement the efforts of the KMA to move the development agenda of the entire metropolis forward.
Membership of the councils would include assembly members within the sub-metro and government appointees and others.
Dr Prempeh, who is a private medical practitioner, said the KMA and the entire Kumasi metropolis would stand to benefit when the councils started working.
“The KMA, therefore, should do everything to facilitate the effective operation of the sub-metro councils in Kumasi,” he said.
Dr Prempeh said the sub-metros were an important part of the decentralisation programme and must be supported to deliver.
“Decentralisation is an important programme but it looks like some people are not prepared to allow it to work for obvious reasons,” the former presiding member stressed.
He said before he left office as presiding member about four years ago, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment had initiated moves to establish the councils but the “lackadaisical attitude by the KMA” stalled the process.
The former presiding member further said he also wrote a letter to the ministry and the then regional minister, Mr S.K. Boafo, about the need to establish the councils but nothing positive came out of it.
Dr Prempeh stressed that Kumasi had grown to the extent that it needed about 10 sub-metros for effective administration.
“And if we do not have the money to do this, we must strengthen what we already have to get the process going,” Dr Prempeh said.
He stated that revenue mobilisation was crucial to the effective functioning of the KMA, and the strengthening of the sub-metros was crucial in that effect.
Monday, January 28, 2008
CREDIT UNIONS MUST ENSURE TRANSPARENCY (Page 57)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, has challenged credit unions to ensure transparency in their operations in order to attract increased membership and growth.
Speaking at the 32nd annual general meeting of the St Peter’s Co-operative Credit Union (SPCCU) in Kumasi, the deputy minister said the credit union concept was laudable as it greatly assisted the small income groups to come up.
It was, therefore, important that managers of the unions undertook their activities with transparency, he said.
Mr Antwi commended the SPCCU for persistently improving its performance, and said that indicated the confidence the people had in its operations.
The Board Chairman, Mr Dominic Annan, said many people were buying the shares of the union, which had a growth rate of 30.66 per cent.
In 2006, the total shares stood at GH¢208,000 but the figure jumped to GH¢307,000 last year, with a membership of 10,137.
Mr Annan indicated that savings went up from GH¢1.84 million to GH¢3.4 million in 2007, while surplus increased from GH¢208,000 to GH¢307,000 within the same period.
He was, however, not impressed with the savings rate and called on old and new members to take interest in savings to avoid liquidity risk for the union.
The board chairman stated that the credit union continued to support individual members with loans to undertake various activities, saying the figure for last year was GH¢2.4 million, for activities such as agriculture and agri-business.
THE Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, has challenged credit unions to ensure transparency in their operations in order to attract increased membership and growth.
Speaking at the 32nd annual general meeting of the St Peter’s Co-operative Credit Union (SPCCU) in Kumasi, the deputy minister said the credit union concept was laudable as it greatly assisted the small income groups to come up.
It was, therefore, important that managers of the unions undertook their activities with transparency, he said.
Mr Antwi commended the SPCCU for persistently improving its performance, and said that indicated the confidence the people had in its operations.
The Board Chairman, Mr Dominic Annan, said many people were buying the shares of the union, which had a growth rate of 30.66 per cent.
In 2006, the total shares stood at GH¢208,000 but the figure jumped to GH¢307,000 last year, with a membership of 10,137.
Mr Annan indicated that savings went up from GH¢1.84 million to GH¢3.4 million in 2007, while surplus increased from GH¢208,000 to GH¢307,000 within the same period.
He was, however, not impressed with the savings rate and called on old and new members to take interest in savings to avoid liquidity risk for the union.
The board chairman stated that the credit union continued to support individual members with loans to undertake various activities, saying the figure for last year was GH¢2.4 million, for activities such as agriculture and agri-business.
CAMEROUN REVIVE HOPE ...They wallop Zambia 5-1 (Page 71)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
CAMEROUN renewed hopes for a berth in the quarter final stage when they recovered from last Tuesday’s defeat to Egypt to spank Zambia 5-1 in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi last Saturday.
Cameroun Manager Otto Pfister reshuffled his team, starting with five quality players who had sat on the bench in the match against Egypt and the Indomitable Lions, who needed victory badly, turned the Zambia goal area into a disaster zone.
Augustine Binya Gilles, Modeste Mbami, Achille Amana, Alexandre Song and Joseph Desire Job were played ahead of Jean Makoun, Landry Nguemo, Joel Epalle, Mahamadou Iddrissou and Claude Stephane Mbia and that worked to perfection for the Lions as they roared from the middle to attack.
It was an absolute nightmare for the Zambians, but they had themselves to blame for the huge score line as three defensive lapses presented the hungry Lions with goals that were preventable. Their trainer, Patrick Phiri, was disappointed in his team after the match, saying, “We won the match for Cameroun.”
Arsenal’s Alexandre Song and his midfield colleagues Mbami and Amana of French clubs Toulouse and Marseilles, respectively, provided the missing link in that department and as they took over the action to wear the Chipolopolo defence down, the best tactic for the Zambians was to mass up in defence to soak the pressure and employ the counter.
It wasn’t all rosy for Cameroun. There were some anxious moments as the Zambians ran round the Lions defence, but attempts by skipper Christopher Katongo and Jacob Mulenga to strike at target were persistently fruitless.
In the 74th minute, for instance, substitute Felix Mumba Sunzu’s glancing header went off the woodwork, while Mulenga followed up a minute later with a full blast of the ball but his shot went over the bar, when he had keeper Carlos Idris Kameni at his mercy.
Samuel Eto’o, who equalled Ivorian Laurent Pokou’s all-time best scorer record of 14 goals, scored his third goal in the tournament from the penalty spot and celebrated in style, running to hold the corner flag, wriggling his waist and saluting the cheering spectators.
Cameroun opened the scores in the 27th minute when Geremi, who was adventurous on the right of attack, struck a free kick close to the area to the far left corner of Michael Poto’s post.
With the floodgates opened, Geremi and Emana tried to cut through to the by-lines and get their crosses for Eto’o and Job, while the Chipolopolo fought back, knocking the ball around the middle and looking for a path past the Camerounian back four of Bikey, Rigobert Song, Binya and Atouba.
Under no pressure, Zambia’s Billy Mwanza failed to close the ball down in the 31st minute and the veteran Job, who was adjudged the MTN Best Player of the match, pounced on the opportunity with a gentle tap into the net for the second goal.
Clearly, for coach Phiri, all was not well and he pulled out Kennedy Nketani for Himonde Hichani in the 37th minute to strengthen the defence but it was Cameroun who scored again after 43 minutes when another defensive lapse saw Emana arriving early to round off keeper Poto before coolly directing the ball into the yawning net.
Tempers flared in the 57th minute and Zambia’s Mulenga and Cameroun’s Rigobert Song nearly went into fisticuffs following a stormy action near the Cameroun area and Japanese referee Yuichi Nichimura verbally warned them.
Skipper Song, who was at his defensive best, clearing his lines with confidence, did a brilliant run to sweep the ball off the foot of Katongo, who had entered firing range in the 61st minute.
As both sides effected substitutions, the action swung from one end to another, with Cameroun a shade ahead in attacking play. It paid off after 64 minutes when they increased the tally through Eto’o from the spot.
With nine minutes to go, Job scored his personal second and the fifth for Cameroun, exploiting a misunderstanding in the Zambian area to plant the ball in the net.
The Chipolopolo were completely deflated but they mustered some courage and redeemed one of the goals with a minute to go through Musonda who connected a left wing cross past Kameni.
CAMEROUN renewed hopes for a berth in the quarter final stage when they recovered from last Tuesday’s defeat to Egypt to spank Zambia 5-1 in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi last Saturday.
Cameroun Manager Otto Pfister reshuffled his team, starting with five quality players who had sat on the bench in the match against Egypt and the Indomitable Lions, who needed victory badly, turned the Zambia goal area into a disaster zone.
Augustine Binya Gilles, Modeste Mbami, Achille Amana, Alexandre Song and Joseph Desire Job were played ahead of Jean Makoun, Landry Nguemo, Joel Epalle, Mahamadou Iddrissou and Claude Stephane Mbia and that worked to perfection for the Lions as they roared from the middle to attack.
It was an absolute nightmare for the Zambians, but they had themselves to blame for the huge score line as three defensive lapses presented the hungry Lions with goals that were preventable. Their trainer, Patrick Phiri, was disappointed in his team after the match, saying, “We won the match for Cameroun.”
Arsenal’s Alexandre Song and his midfield colleagues Mbami and Amana of French clubs Toulouse and Marseilles, respectively, provided the missing link in that department and as they took over the action to wear the Chipolopolo defence down, the best tactic for the Zambians was to mass up in defence to soak the pressure and employ the counter.
It wasn’t all rosy for Cameroun. There were some anxious moments as the Zambians ran round the Lions defence, but attempts by skipper Christopher Katongo and Jacob Mulenga to strike at target were persistently fruitless.
In the 74th minute, for instance, substitute Felix Mumba Sunzu’s glancing header went off the woodwork, while Mulenga followed up a minute later with a full blast of the ball but his shot went over the bar, when he had keeper Carlos Idris Kameni at his mercy.
Samuel Eto’o, who equalled Ivorian Laurent Pokou’s all-time best scorer record of 14 goals, scored his third goal in the tournament from the penalty spot and celebrated in style, running to hold the corner flag, wriggling his waist and saluting the cheering spectators.
Cameroun opened the scores in the 27th minute when Geremi, who was adventurous on the right of attack, struck a free kick close to the area to the far left corner of Michael Poto’s post.
With the floodgates opened, Geremi and Emana tried to cut through to the by-lines and get their crosses for Eto’o and Job, while the Chipolopolo fought back, knocking the ball around the middle and looking for a path past the Camerounian back four of Bikey, Rigobert Song, Binya and Atouba.
Under no pressure, Zambia’s Billy Mwanza failed to close the ball down in the 31st minute and the veteran Job, who was adjudged the MTN Best Player of the match, pounced on the opportunity with a gentle tap into the net for the second goal.
Clearly, for coach Phiri, all was not well and he pulled out Kennedy Nketani for Himonde Hichani in the 37th minute to strengthen the defence but it was Cameroun who scored again after 43 minutes when another defensive lapse saw Emana arriving early to round off keeper Poto before coolly directing the ball into the yawning net.
Tempers flared in the 57th minute and Zambia’s Mulenga and Cameroun’s Rigobert Song nearly went into fisticuffs following a stormy action near the Cameroun area and Japanese referee Yuichi Nichimura verbally warned them.
Skipper Song, who was at his defensive best, clearing his lines with confidence, did a brilliant run to sweep the ball off the foot of Katongo, who had entered firing range in the 61st minute.
As both sides effected substitutions, the action swung from one end to another, with Cameroun a shade ahead in attacking play. It paid off after 64 minutes when they increased the tally through Eto’o from the spot.
With nine minutes to go, Job scored his personal second and the fifth for Cameroun, exploiting a misunderstanding in the Zambian area to plant the ball in the net.
The Chipolopolo were completely deflated but they mustered some courage and redeemed one of the goals with a minute to go through Musonda who connected a left wing cross past Kameni.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
LIVE UNDER HYGIENIC CONDITIONS TO PREVENT DISEASES ...(Page 22)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Woraso
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sekyere East, Mr Philip Basoah, has called on the people of the district to strive to live under hygienic conditions to prevent the spread of diseases.
He said even though the National Health Insurance Scheme introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had gone a long way to address challenges in health financing, especially among the rural poor, it was always important to prevent diseases than finding ways of curing them.
Mr Basoah made the call when he inaugurated a GH¢20,000 20-seater vault chamber sanitary facility at Woraso in the Afram Plains portion of the district.
The Woraso community contributed GH¢12,000 to finance the project while the district assembly supplemented it with GH¢8,000.
Mr Basoah spoke seriously against the practice where people defecate freely in open places, warning that anyone arrested would be dealt with by the law.
He said the assembly’s bye-laws on sanitation would be enforced to the letter in order to ensure a clean environment.
Mr Basoah stated that the development projects the district had enjoyed under the President Kufuor administration was unpecedented in the history of the district.
He, therefore, urged the people to continue to support the government to provide more projects to enhance their living standards.
Mr Basoah stressed the importance of the National Youth Employment Programme and said the Talk Time Tax, which the government intended to introduce, would help improve the programme to help address the employment problems of the youth.
The DCE called on the people of the newly-created district to brace themselves up to confront the initial challenges that might arise from the creation of the Kumawu Afram Plains District.
The new district, which is yet to be inaugurated, was carved out of the present Sekyere East District, with Kumawu as the district capital.
Mr Basoah said the creation of new districts normally came with some problems, and the ability to overcome them depended largely on the people.
He advised the people to take good care of the sanitary project by ensuring its regular maintenance.
He also commended individuals such as Nana Aboagye of Iron Birds Company Limited in Kumasi who contributed in diverse ways to ensure the completion of the project.
Woraso Krontihene, Nana Dua Agyeman, commended the government and the district assembly for their commitment to the development of the area.
He cautioned the people against setting fire indiscriminately in the bush to avoid the spread of bushfires.
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sekyere East, Mr Philip Basoah, has called on the people of the district to strive to live under hygienic conditions to prevent the spread of diseases.
He said even though the National Health Insurance Scheme introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had gone a long way to address challenges in health financing, especially among the rural poor, it was always important to prevent diseases than finding ways of curing them.
Mr Basoah made the call when he inaugurated a GH¢20,000 20-seater vault chamber sanitary facility at Woraso in the Afram Plains portion of the district.
The Woraso community contributed GH¢12,000 to finance the project while the district assembly supplemented it with GH¢8,000.
Mr Basoah spoke seriously against the practice where people defecate freely in open places, warning that anyone arrested would be dealt with by the law.
He said the assembly’s bye-laws on sanitation would be enforced to the letter in order to ensure a clean environment.
Mr Basoah stated that the development projects the district had enjoyed under the President Kufuor administration was unpecedented in the history of the district.
He, therefore, urged the people to continue to support the government to provide more projects to enhance their living standards.
Mr Basoah stressed the importance of the National Youth Employment Programme and said the Talk Time Tax, which the government intended to introduce, would help improve the programme to help address the employment problems of the youth.
The DCE called on the people of the newly-created district to brace themselves up to confront the initial challenges that might arise from the creation of the Kumawu Afram Plains District.
The new district, which is yet to be inaugurated, was carved out of the present Sekyere East District, with Kumawu as the district capital.
Mr Basoah said the creation of new districts normally came with some problems, and the ability to overcome them depended largely on the people.
He advised the people to take good care of the sanitary project by ensuring its regular maintenance.
He also commended individuals such as Nana Aboagye of Iron Birds Company Limited in Kumasi who contributed in diverse ways to ensure the completion of the project.
Woraso Krontihene, Nana Dua Agyeman, commended the government and the district assembly for their commitment to the development of the area.
He cautioned the people against setting fire indiscriminately in the bush to avoid the spread of bushfires.
IT'S CAMEROUN'S FATE-DEFINING MOMENT .... (Page 31)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
CAMEROUN are at the decision point. They know that today is a make or break affair as they line up against Zambia in a tricky second Group C game of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Having lost 2-4 in their opening game to Egypt, the Indomitable Lions know that nothing but victory over Zambia, who spanked Sudan 3-0, would push them into contention for a place in the last eight. And with the Chipolopolo also bent on making it to the quarter-final stage, a fierce battle is expected tomorrow.
Media reports back home in Cameroun reveal that fans were very angry with Coach Otto Pfister and his team following the Indomitable Lions’ defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt in the opening game.
A BBC report from Yaounde saw disenchanted home fans accusing coach Otto Pfister of failing to map out an effective strategy to overcome the swift Egyptians.
The fans also felt that the ageing players in the team were simply not up to the task and feared the ability of the team to qualify for the next stage.
Even in Kumasi where Cameroun enjoyed massive support, many were disappointed and left the stadium long before the game ended.
But the Lions have other things on their minds in tomorrow’s game as Otto Pfister says the match will be a different ball game which will see Cameroun making amends.
Clearly the Cameroun defence was suspect against the Egyptians. Skipper Rigobert Song could hardly run back to cover up anytime he joined the attack, and if the German trainer fails to find a solution to this handicap, Felix Katongo and his striking partners in the Chipolopolo team could punish them for that.
Geremi Njitap on the right of attack can do better with his crossings to effectively feed Samuel Eto’o Fils with the needed supply.
But writing off Zambia will be a huge mistake. They pump up so much energy in attack and will definitely pose a major threat to Cameroun.
Manager Patrick Phiri sounded optimistic after their first victory. He said, “We know the pedigree of Cameroun but we are ready for them”.
In the other game, Egypt look ready to book a place in the quarter-finals when they clash with Sudan.
The championship stuff of the Pharaohs is not in doubt. You can ask Cameroun.
Typical of the Pharaohs, they play as a compact side, not relying on names but as a strong unit ready to overpower the opposition at the least opportunity.
In Ismaily striker, Hosni Abdrabou, and Hamburg SV attacker, Mohammed Zidan, the Pharaohs have a deadly pair who will be too hot for Sudan to handle.
CAMEROUN are at the decision point. They know that today is a make or break affair as they line up against Zambia in a tricky second Group C game of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Having lost 2-4 in their opening game to Egypt, the Indomitable Lions know that nothing but victory over Zambia, who spanked Sudan 3-0, would push them into contention for a place in the last eight. And with the Chipolopolo also bent on making it to the quarter-final stage, a fierce battle is expected tomorrow.
Media reports back home in Cameroun reveal that fans were very angry with Coach Otto Pfister and his team following the Indomitable Lions’ defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt in the opening game.
A BBC report from Yaounde saw disenchanted home fans accusing coach Otto Pfister of failing to map out an effective strategy to overcome the swift Egyptians.
The fans also felt that the ageing players in the team were simply not up to the task and feared the ability of the team to qualify for the next stage.
Even in Kumasi where Cameroun enjoyed massive support, many were disappointed and left the stadium long before the game ended.
But the Lions have other things on their minds in tomorrow’s game as Otto Pfister says the match will be a different ball game which will see Cameroun making amends.
Clearly the Cameroun defence was suspect against the Egyptians. Skipper Rigobert Song could hardly run back to cover up anytime he joined the attack, and if the German trainer fails to find a solution to this handicap, Felix Katongo and his striking partners in the Chipolopolo team could punish them for that.
Geremi Njitap on the right of attack can do better with his crossings to effectively feed Samuel Eto’o Fils with the needed supply.
But writing off Zambia will be a huge mistake. They pump up so much energy in attack and will definitely pose a major threat to Cameroun.
Manager Patrick Phiri sounded optimistic after their first victory. He said, “We know the pedigree of Cameroun but we are ready for them”.
In the other game, Egypt look ready to book a place in the quarter-finals when they clash with Sudan.
The championship stuff of the Pharaohs is not in doubt. You can ask Cameroun.
Typical of the Pharaohs, they play as a compact side, not relying on names but as a strong unit ready to overpower the opposition at the least opportunity.
In Ismaily striker, Hosni Abdrabou, and Hamburg SV attacker, Mohammed Zidan, the Pharaohs have a deadly pair who will be too hot for Sudan to handle.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
EGYPT IN FLYING START ...Maul Cameroun 4-2 (1b)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
EGYPT set a cracking pace in their championship defence when they powered home to a 4-2 victory over Cameroun in a Group C opener at the Baba Yara Stadium last night.
Ismaily striker Hosni Abdrabou Abdel Motaleb and striking partner Abdallah Mohammed Zidan each fetched a brace in a match that brought the best out of the Pharoahs.
They were solid and composed at the back, fluid in the middle and ferocious in attack, and put the Camerounians in a tight corner in their resolve to qualify from the group.
Shattered by the defeat, Cameroun coach Otto Pfister could hardly explain what happened, indicating only that they did their best but that was not enough.
The Pharoahs showed early signs of carrying the day in just under one minute when Zidan tore through the defence but lost his composure within shooting range.
With F/C Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o completely eclipsed by Hassan Zakry and Abdou Ibrahim, and the Camerounian midfield failing to accelerate, the Pharoahs switched into full gear and found the net in the 13th minute through a spot kick converted by Motaleb. Camerounian defender Andre Amougou Bikey handled the ball under pressure and Motaleb swerved Carlos Idris Kameni in post for the Indomitable Lions.
The Indomitable Lions attempted to hit back quickly but were caught off guard with a quick break which saw Hamburg F/C attacker Zidan finishing off brilliantly past advancing Kameni after 15 minutes.
Midfield action was fiercely fought, and when it mattered most the Pharoahs switched attack to the right where Fathy Abdel Ibrahim proved so swift for his opponents.
The Pharoahs’ ability to withstand the Lions’ threat was always evident, and before Gambian referee Sowie Modou would end proceedings for the first session, Zidan set the stadium alight with a cracking left footer from some 30-yards which whistled past a sprawling Kameni for the third goal.
It was a goal that set the Camerounians wondering about their predicament. As they walked off the field for the break, they kept their heads down.
They tried to assert their authority on the game after recess. Coach Otto Pfister sent on Emana Achille for Makoun Jean II who teamed up with Eto’o to put some pressure on the Egyptians.
Five minutes into the second half, Eto’o pulled one back for the Lions when he soared above everybody to power a header to a cross from Geremi Njitap. The Lions attempted to roar again, firing salvos of shots at goal but they missed.
Egypt brought on Al-Ahly striker Mohamed Abouterika for Hasan Zakry Mansour and he announced his presence combining perfectly with Moteleb on the left.
When Eto’o extricated himself from the close marking at the Egyptian rear, he nearly found his second of the day but his shot from just outside the box flew closely off the right post.
With just five minutes to go, the Pharoahs put their victory beyond doubt, scoring the fourth goal through Moteleb. The striker went into space in the middle and released a piercing shot which flew into the roof of the net.
The die was cast for the Indomitable Lions but they managed to add one more goal through Eto’o from the spot very late in the game.
EGYPT set a cracking pace in their championship defence when they powered home to a 4-2 victory over Cameroun in a Group C opener at the Baba Yara Stadium last night.
Ismaily striker Hosni Abdrabou Abdel Motaleb and striking partner Abdallah Mohammed Zidan each fetched a brace in a match that brought the best out of the Pharoahs.
They were solid and composed at the back, fluid in the middle and ferocious in attack, and put the Camerounians in a tight corner in their resolve to qualify from the group.
Shattered by the defeat, Cameroun coach Otto Pfister could hardly explain what happened, indicating only that they did their best but that was not enough.
The Pharoahs showed early signs of carrying the day in just under one minute when Zidan tore through the defence but lost his composure within shooting range.
With F/C Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o completely eclipsed by Hassan Zakry and Abdou Ibrahim, and the Camerounian midfield failing to accelerate, the Pharoahs switched into full gear and found the net in the 13th minute through a spot kick converted by Motaleb. Camerounian defender Andre Amougou Bikey handled the ball under pressure and Motaleb swerved Carlos Idris Kameni in post for the Indomitable Lions.
The Indomitable Lions attempted to hit back quickly but were caught off guard with a quick break which saw Hamburg F/C attacker Zidan finishing off brilliantly past advancing Kameni after 15 minutes.
Midfield action was fiercely fought, and when it mattered most the Pharoahs switched attack to the right where Fathy Abdel Ibrahim proved so swift for his opponents.
The Pharoahs’ ability to withstand the Lions’ threat was always evident, and before Gambian referee Sowie Modou would end proceedings for the first session, Zidan set the stadium alight with a cracking left footer from some 30-yards which whistled past a sprawling Kameni for the third goal.
It was a goal that set the Camerounians wondering about their predicament. As they walked off the field for the break, they kept their heads down.
They tried to assert their authority on the game after recess. Coach Otto Pfister sent on Emana Achille for Makoun Jean II who teamed up with Eto’o to put some pressure on the Egyptians.
Five minutes into the second half, Eto’o pulled one back for the Lions when he soared above everybody to power a header to a cross from Geremi Njitap. The Lions attempted to roar again, firing salvos of shots at goal but they missed.
Egypt brought on Al-Ahly striker Mohamed Abouterika for Hasan Zakry Mansour and he announced his presence combining perfectly with Moteleb on the left.
When Eto’o extricated himself from the close marking at the Egyptian rear, he nearly found his second of the day but his shot from just outside the box flew closely off the right post.
With just five minutes to go, the Pharoahs put their victory beyond doubt, scoring the fourth goal through Moteleb. The striker went into space in the middle and released a piercing shot which flew into the roof of the net.
The die was cast for the Indomitable Lions but they managed to add one more goal through Eto’o from the spot very late in the game.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
LIONS TO EXACT POUND OF FLESH ...Against Pharaohs in Kumasi (G/S Back Page)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
Cameroun are furious, and rightly so, for they have an axe to grind with Egypt. The Pharoahs scuttled the Indomitable Lions’ dream of making it to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and since then Cameroun have been nurturing plans to pay the Egyptians back.
And with a clean bill of health on both sides, fans should expect a potentially explosive opener to Group C of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations at the Baba Yara Stadium today as two of Africa’s greatest sides cross swords.
A match of this nature could best pass for the final before the final, and whoever carry the day are likely to advance to the top of the group. The two camps are seething silently from their corners, albeit in the spirit of competitiveness.
Away from the burning desire to undo each other, the combatants have so much respect for each other, something that will be translated into one of the fiercest pitch battles to be staged in the three-week soccer fiesta.
Between the two sides they have won the championship nine times - five to Egypt and four for Cameroun-and the desire to build on their performance is already evident.
Egypt’s record is more frightening in the 26-year-old history of the Cup of Nations, winning the cup in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998 and 2006, and making their 21st appearance in Ghana 2008.
Typical of the Pharoahs, they enter the game with a squad that is likely to be dominated by locally-based players.
The Pharoahs have always made use of, and indeed benefited from players playing locally. Nineteen of their 26-member squad to Ghana 2008 are playing in local sides, notably Al-Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily. This typifies the strength of the Egyptian first devision league.
Keeper Essam Al-Hadary, defenders Shady Mohammed and Ahmed Fathi, midfielder Mohammed Aboutreika, and forwards Amr Zaki and Emad Motaeb are all locally-based players who are ready to do battle today.
A lot will depend on trainer Hasan Shehata, the man who crafted the 2006 Nations cup victory on home soil, to emerge with another winning formula. But the coach, himself a Nations Cup veteran, will have to dig deep into his repetoire of knowledge to make a good start to the tournament, bearing in mind the power behind the Camerounian game.
The Indomitable Lions have the men who are tried and tested and could hold onto the any challenge on a good day.
In keeper Idris Carlos Kameni, the Indomitable Lions have a safe pair of hands. His reflexes have been very good, and if he receives the right cover from Rigobert Song, Thomithee Atouba and Gilles Augusti Binya, Cameroun could put the spokes in the wheels of Egypt.
So much is expected from one of Africa’s all-time greatest strikers, Samuel Eto’o. The FC Barcelona striker’s awesome presence in the Camerounian team could have a positive impact on their game.
Fortunately for Cameroun, their coach, Otto Pfister, is no new face in Ghana. He once coached the national team and knows the Ghanaian terrain very well
The Sudan enter the second Group game against Zambia with a team that is wholly home-based and from two main clubs, Al-Merriekh and Al-Hilal. Forward players Abdul Hamid Amari and Faisal Agab who play for Al-Merriekh are dangerous in their own right in the Sudanese league and it will be interesting how they translate their form into the Nations Cup.
For Zambia a lot will depend on Skipper Chris Katongo. He commands so much respect in the team and this should bear on their output. A draw game looks more likely.
Cameroun are furious, and rightly so, for they have an axe to grind with Egypt. The Pharoahs scuttled the Indomitable Lions’ dream of making it to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and since then Cameroun have been nurturing plans to pay the Egyptians back.
And with a clean bill of health on both sides, fans should expect a potentially explosive opener to Group C of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations at the Baba Yara Stadium today as two of Africa’s greatest sides cross swords.
A match of this nature could best pass for the final before the final, and whoever carry the day are likely to advance to the top of the group. The two camps are seething silently from their corners, albeit in the spirit of competitiveness.
Away from the burning desire to undo each other, the combatants have so much respect for each other, something that will be translated into one of the fiercest pitch battles to be staged in the three-week soccer fiesta.
Between the two sides they have won the championship nine times - five to Egypt and four for Cameroun-and the desire to build on their performance is already evident.
Egypt’s record is more frightening in the 26-year-old history of the Cup of Nations, winning the cup in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998 and 2006, and making their 21st appearance in Ghana 2008.
Typical of the Pharoahs, they enter the game with a squad that is likely to be dominated by locally-based players.
The Pharoahs have always made use of, and indeed benefited from players playing locally. Nineteen of their 26-member squad to Ghana 2008 are playing in local sides, notably Al-Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily. This typifies the strength of the Egyptian first devision league.
Keeper Essam Al-Hadary, defenders Shady Mohammed and Ahmed Fathi, midfielder Mohammed Aboutreika, and forwards Amr Zaki and Emad Motaeb are all locally-based players who are ready to do battle today.
A lot will depend on trainer Hasan Shehata, the man who crafted the 2006 Nations cup victory on home soil, to emerge with another winning formula. But the coach, himself a Nations Cup veteran, will have to dig deep into his repetoire of knowledge to make a good start to the tournament, bearing in mind the power behind the Camerounian game.
The Indomitable Lions have the men who are tried and tested and could hold onto the any challenge on a good day.
In keeper Idris Carlos Kameni, the Indomitable Lions have a safe pair of hands. His reflexes have been very good, and if he receives the right cover from Rigobert Song, Thomithee Atouba and Gilles Augusti Binya, Cameroun could put the spokes in the wheels of Egypt.
So much is expected from one of Africa’s all-time greatest strikers, Samuel Eto’o. The FC Barcelona striker’s awesome presence in the Camerounian team could have a positive impact on their game.
Fortunately for Cameroun, their coach, Otto Pfister, is no new face in Ghana. He once coached the national team and knows the Ghanaian terrain very well
The Sudan enter the second Group game against Zambia with a team that is wholly home-based and from two main clubs, Al-Merriekh and Al-Hilal. Forward players Abdul Hamid Amari and Faisal Agab who play for Al-Merriekh are dangerous in their own right in the Sudanese league and it will be interesting how they translate their form into the Nations Cup.
For Zambia a lot will depend on Skipper Chris Katongo. He commands so much respect in the team and this should bear on their output. A draw game looks more likely.
KUMASI POLICE ROUND UP PROSTITUTES ... Page 29
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
POLICE have rounded up eleven women suspected to be prostitutes at various locations in Kumasi.
The police rounded them up in a move to clamp down on the illegal activities, which were gaining ground in the metropolis.
The exercise also formed part of measures the police were taking to prevent the prostitutes from giving the nation any negative image during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
They would be arraigned before court immediately investigations were over.
The police gave their names as Ama Serwaa, 24; Abena Frema, 23; Rukaya Mankubasi, 28, Elizabeth Konadu, 37, and Constance Asare, 22.
The rest were Abena Boatemaa, 19; Akua Afriyie, 19; Adwoa Yeboah, 22; Akua Mother, 19, Susanna Nabuya, 23, and Akosua Serwaa, 33.
They were arrested around Vienna City Nite Pub, Beauty Queen Drinking Spot and the Kiravi Nite Club.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Inspector Yusif Mohammed Tanko, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that three of the suspects had confessed to soliciting for sex.
He said people erroneously believed that soliciting for sex was not a crime, and warned that the police would deal with anyone caught in the act.
The PRO expressed concern about the way young women were “selling” themselves for money when they should have been engaged in legitimate businesses to earn a living.
POLICE have rounded up eleven women suspected to be prostitutes at various locations in Kumasi.
The police rounded them up in a move to clamp down on the illegal activities, which were gaining ground in the metropolis.
The exercise also formed part of measures the police were taking to prevent the prostitutes from giving the nation any negative image during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
They would be arraigned before court immediately investigations were over.
The police gave their names as Ama Serwaa, 24; Abena Frema, 23; Rukaya Mankubasi, 28, Elizabeth Konadu, 37, and Constance Asare, 22.
The rest were Abena Boatemaa, 19; Akua Afriyie, 19; Adwoa Yeboah, 22; Akua Mother, 19, Susanna Nabuya, 23, and Akosua Serwaa, 33.
They were arrested around Vienna City Nite Pub, Beauty Queen Drinking Spot and the Kiravi Nite Club.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Inspector Yusif Mohammed Tanko, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that three of the suspects had confessed to soliciting for sex.
He said people erroneously believed that soliciting for sex was not a crime, and warned that the police would deal with anyone caught in the act.
The PRO expressed concern about the way young women were “selling” themselves for money when they should have been engaged in legitimate businesses to earn a living.
Friday, January 18, 2008
5 INSTITUTIONS ON RECESS IN KUMASI (Page 11)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
APART from five educational institutions which are on recess, academic work generally will not be interrupted in the Kumasi metropolis during the period of the Africa Cup of Nations.
One university and four senior high schools (SHS) in Kumasi will remain closed for the period of the tournament.
They are the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS, Kumasi Academy, Opoku Ware School and Kumasi Girls’ SHS.
Educational officials in Kumasi told the Daily Graphic that the decision to keep the four SHS, closed was taken by the authorities in Accra and that they in Kumasi were not in a position to give any explanation for it.
Other sources, however, explained that the T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS would not re-open for academic work because of its proximity to the Baba Yara Stadium. The school is situated just adjacent to the western end of the stadium.
For the Opoku Ware School, the sources said the decision to postpone its re-opening date might have been informed by the use of the school’s football pitch as one of the training pitches for the tournament,
Even though the Prempeh College is one of the institutions whose fields are serving as training grounds for the tournament, the school has resumed academic work. Officials, once again, could not explain the decision.
For Kumasi Academy, however, no reasons could be assigned for its decisions not to re-open.
With regard to the KNUST, its halls of residence will provide accommodation for fans who will travel from other countries to watch the matches in Kumasi.
Besides, the Paa Joe Stadium is one of the training pitches.
Authorities were happy that the matches would be played in the evenings, saying that would give teachers the opportunity to watch the matches.
APART from five educational institutions which are on recess, academic work generally will not be interrupted in the Kumasi metropolis during the period of the Africa Cup of Nations.
One university and four senior high schools (SHS) in Kumasi will remain closed for the period of the tournament.
They are the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS, Kumasi Academy, Opoku Ware School and Kumasi Girls’ SHS.
Educational officials in Kumasi told the Daily Graphic that the decision to keep the four SHS, closed was taken by the authorities in Accra and that they in Kumasi were not in a position to give any explanation for it.
Other sources, however, explained that the T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS would not re-open for academic work because of its proximity to the Baba Yara Stadium. The school is situated just adjacent to the western end of the stadium.
For the Opoku Ware School, the sources said the decision to postpone its re-opening date might have been informed by the use of the school’s football pitch as one of the training pitches for the tournament,
Even though the Prempeh College is one of the institutions whose fields are serving as training grounds for the tournament, the school has resumed academic work. Officials, once again, could not explain the decision.
For Kumasi Academy, however, no reasons could be assigned for its decisions not to re-open.
With regard to the KNUST, its halls of residence will provide accommodation for fans who will travel from other countries to watch the matches in Kumasi.
Besides, the Paa Joe Stadium is one of the training pitches.
Authorities were happy that the matches would be played in the evenings, saying that would give teachers the opportunity to watch the matches.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
SMIDO SETS UP ICT CENTRE AT SUAME MAGAZINE ... (Page 29)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
An ultra-modern Information Communications Technology (ICT) centre is being established at the Suame Magazine by the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence and the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) to help incorporate ICT into the industrial operations of the Suame industrial estate.
Currently, SMIDO has acquired a four-storey building to serve as offices and training point for artisans.
It has also selected six artisanal engineers to undergo training at the Kofi Annan Centre to manage the project after graduating.
The project hopes to salvage the declining prospects of the vehicular repair cluster at Suame, and thereby revamp the industrial operations of the estate through the incorporation of modern advanced technology in artisanal engineering in Ghana and West Africa.
The collaboration between the Kofi Annan Centre and SMIDO was the result of a visit by officials of SMIDO to the Kofi Annan Centre as part of its advocacy programme.
SMIDO, an organisation formed by artisans of the Suame Magazine to transform the industrial estate into a world-class centre, is currently engaged in a number of activities, all with the focus of changing the development focus of artisans.
Courses to be studied at the centre will include basic knowledge in the use of software, development of and use of business software for industrial operations, and advanced ICT driven auto diagnostic studies and applications.
The ICT project is incorporated in the policy blueprint of the SMIDO, which was launched in Kumasi last year.
SMIDO’S industrial policy blueprint emphasises strongly on the ICT project, which will also serve the West African sub-region.
SMIDO is, in fact, determined to establish the centre as the auto ICT consultancy centre for artisanal engineering operations in West Africa.
According to the policy document, the ICT project has a focus to “salvage the declining prospects of the vehicular repair cluster to revamp the industrial operations of the estate through the incorporation of modern advanced technology in artisanal engineering in Ghana and West Africa as a whole”.
The President of SMIDO, Mr George Asamoah Amankwa, told the Daily Graphic that the absence of an industrial policy to determine the direction and content of development of the industrial estate had been a contributory factor to the unfavourable growth rate of the Suame Magazine.
He expressed the conviction that the future looked brighter as they forged ahead with various groups to bring life to the magazine.
An ultra-modern Information Communications Technology (ICT) centre is being established at the Suame Magazine by the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence and the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) to help incorporate ICT into the industrial operations of the Suame industrial estate.
Currently, SMIDO has acquired a four-storey building to serve as offices and training point for artisans.
It has also selected six artisanal engineers to undergo training at the Kofi Annan Centre to manage the project after graduating.
The project hopes to salvage the declining prospects of the vehicular repair cluster at Suame, and thereby revamp the industrial operations of the estate through the incorporation of modern advanced technology in artisanal engineering in Ghana and West Africa.
The collaboration between the Kofi Annan Centre and SMIDO was the result of a visit by officials of SMIDO to the Kofi Annan Centre as part of its advocacy programme.
SMIDO, an organisation formed by artisans of the Suame Magazine to transform the industrial estate into a world-class centre, is currently engaged in a number of activities, all with the focus of changing the development focus of artisans.
Courses to be studied at the centre will include basic knowledge in the use of software, development of and use of business software for industrial operations, and advanced ICT driven auto diagnostic studies and applications.
The ICT project is incorporated in the policy blueprint of the SMIDO, which was launched in Kumasi last year.
SMIDO’S industrial policy blueprint emphasises strongly on the ICT project, which will also serve the West African sub-region.
SMIDO is, in fact, determined to establish the centre as the auto ICT consultancy centre for artisanal engineering operations in West Africa.
According to the policy document, the ICT project has a focus to “salvage the declining prospects of the vehicular repair cluster to revamp the industrial operations of the estate through the incorporation of modern advanced technology in artisanal engineering in Ghana and West Africa as a whole”.
The President of SMIDO, Mr George Asamoah Amankwa, told the Daily Graphic that the absence of an industrial policy to determine the direction and content of development of the industrial estate had been a contributory factor to the unfavourable growth rate of the Suame Magazine.
He expressed the conviction that the future looked brighter as they forged ahead with various groups to bring life to the magazine.
Monday, January 14, 2008
KUFUOR INAUGURATES KUMASI GOLDEN TULIP .... Page 16
Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor at the weekend inaugurated the refurbished City Hotel, now christened Golden Tulip Kumasi City, with the firm assurance that the government was determined to restore life to state hotels that had been left to go to waste over a long period of time.
He stated that some of the hotels were sold “under questionable conditions and sale terms”, and added that the government was looking for funds to buy them back to pave the way for their restoration.
President Kufuor said the former City Hotel constituted one of the important national hotels rated in the same class as the Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi and the Meridian Hotel in Tema, but mismanagement had plunged them into ruins.
The $21.2-million four-star Golden Tulip Kumasi City, constructed by the China State Hualong Construction Ghana Limited, is owned by the Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company (GLAHCO), a joint investment venture between the Ghana Government (40 per cent) and the Libyan Government (60 per cent).
It was financed by the Libyan Arab African Investment Company ($4.5 million), the Government of Ghana ($3.7 million) and the Ghana Commercial Bank, which granted a loan of $13 million.
The 160-room hotel has other facilities, including a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar, a poolside bar, health club facilities, a swimming pool, conference and meeting rooms.
GLAHCO entered into an agreement with Golden Tulip Hospitality Group of the Netherlands to manage the hotel, which, at full capacity, is expected to offer employment to about 140 people.
President Kufuor said the rebirth of the hotel was timely, coming at a time Kumasi was hard pressed for hotel facilities to accommodate football teams from four nations and thousands of officials and fans for the 26th African Cup of Nations. “With this hotel and other amenities, Kumasi is ready to co-host the event,’ the President said.
Emphasising the tourism potential of Kumasi in particular and the Ashanti Region in general, President Kufuor said, “Often visitors to Ghana want to experience the indigenous culture, so they will continue to travel up country. That is why facilities must be available to house them when they come”.
He noted the infrastructure the government continued to put in place to open up the country and said that was a clear testimony of the government’s resolve to change the “development face” of the country for the better.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, traced the history of the divestiture of the former City Hotel, which dates back August 1996, when the company, Ace Hotels and Resorts Limited, acquired it.
He said problems arose in the implementation stage leading to a legal dispute between Ace Hotels and GLAHCO, which delayed the rehabilitation for a long period, prompting the Government of Ghana to intervene to settle the matter out of court in 2004.
He praised President Kufuor for his massive support in having the dispute settled out of court.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr E.A. Owusu-Ansah, expressed the hope that the completion of the project would mark the beginning of more projects from Libya to the region.
He called on the management of the hotel to create avenues for the promotion of domestic tourism, conference tourism and also the rich Ashanti culture.
The Managing Director of GLAHCO, Mr Abdulhamid Karmus, was confident that the hotel would be successful, taking into consideration the political, economic and social importance of the city of Kumasi.
The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, said with the up-coming African Cup of Nations, the rebirth of the hotel was an exciting moment for the ministry.
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor at the weekend inaugurated the refurbished City Hotel, now christened Golden Tulip Kumasi City, with the firm assurance that the government was determined to restore life to state hotels that had been left to go to waste over a long period of time.
He stated that some of the hotels were sold “under questionable conditions and sale terms”, and added that the government was looking for funds to buy them back to pave the way for their restoration.
President Kufuor said the former City Hotel constituted one of the important national hotels rated in the same class as the Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi and the Meridian Hotel in Tema, but mismanagement had plunged them into ruins.
The $21.2-million four-star Golden Tulip Kumasi City, constructed by the China State Hualong Construction Ghana Limited, is owned by the Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company (GLAHCO), a joint investment venture between the Ghana Government (40 per cent) and the Libyan Government (60 per cent).
It was financed by the Libyan Arab African Investment Company ($4.5 million), the Government of Ghana ($3.7 million) and the Ghana Commercial Bank, which granted a loan of $13 million.
The 160-room hotel has other facilities, including a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar, a poolside bar, health club facilities, a swimming pool, conference and meeting rooms.
GLAHCO entered into an agreement with Golden Tulip Hospitality Group of the Netherlands to manage the hotel, which, at full capacity, is expected to offer employment to about 140 people.
President Kufuor said the rebirth of the hotel was timely, coming at a time Kumasi was hard pressed for hotel facilities to accommodate football teams from four nations and thousands of officials and fans for the 26th African Cup of Nations. “With this hotel and other amenities, Kumasi is ready to co-host the event,’ the President said.
Emphasising the tourism potential of Kumasi in particular and the Ashanti Region in general, President Kufuor said, “Often visitors to Ghana want to experience the indigenous culture, so they will continue to travel up country. That is why facilities must be available to house them when they come”.
He noted the infrastructure the government continued to put in place to open up the country and said that was a clear testimony of the government’s resolve to change the “development face” of the country for the better.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, traced the history of the divestiture of the former City Hotel, which dates back August 1996, when the company, Ace Hotels and Resorts Limited, acquired it.
He said problems arose in the implementation stage leading to a legal dispute between Ace Hotels and GLAHCO, which delayed the rehabilitation for a long period, prompting the Government of Ghana to intervene to settle the matter out of court in 2004.
He praised President Kufuor for his massive support in having the dispute settled out of court.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr E.A. Owusu-Ansah, expressed the hope that the completion of the project would mark the beginning of more projects from Libya to the region.
He called on the management of the hotel to create avenues for the promotion of domestic tourism, conference tourism and also the rich Ashanti culture.
The Managing Director of GLAHCO, Mr Abdulhamid Karmus, was confident that the hotel would be successful, taking into consideration the political, economic and social importance of the city of Kumasi.
The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, said with the up-coming African Cup of Nations, the rebirth of the hotel was an exciting moment for the ministry.
KOTOKO SILENCE KESSBEN ....Back Page
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Abrankese
FREE-SCORING Eric Bekoe proved his striking prowess once again when he fetched a great goal to power Asante Kotoko to a
1-0 victory over Kessben FC at the Anane Boateng Stadium at Abrankese yesterday.
The manner Bekoe, who now has nine goals in 10 games, sneaked into space to thread the ball past keeper Frank Andoh with that spectacular right-footer from some 20 metres speaks volumes of his predatory instincts.
The time read 60 minutes dead when the striker picked a pass from the centre and, in the twinkling of an eye, let go a grounder that swept past Andoh into the far left corner of the post, and the near-to-capacity stadium came to life.
Kotoko followers had long termed the match “cash for Kessben, points for Kotoko”, and the outcome of the game gave meaning to it as Kessben were expected to reap their biggest ever gate proceeds since the Onetouch Premier League kicked off, while Kotoko grabbed the points at stake, leaving their closest challengers, Heart of Lions, three points adrift on the league table.
Tension was high and at certain stages fans pelted Referee Ebenezer Ferguson with sachet water in reaction to some decisions which did not go in their favour.
Kessben, who had former Kotoko Ivorian striker, Ahmed Toure on top of attack, did not play badly. They forced Kotoko to retreat on many occasions but lacked the firepower to find a way past brilliant Burkinabe international keeper, Sulama Abdulai.
Their greatest opportunity came in the 34th minute, when Toure swerved past the Kotoko defence, but the striker, who looked clumsy on the day could not effect the kill as defender Richard Manu raced from behind to salvage the situation.
When Kotoko put their foot on the accelerator, they exerted pressure on the home side, with hard-running Kwabena Yaro striking a perfect chord with Bekoe to terrorise Kessben. It was to the credit of the Kessben back line that they held them in check in the dying minutes of the first half.
So physical was the game that its beauty was nearly marred on many occasions as Referee Ferguson pulled his yellow card five times on players from both sides.
FREE-SCORING Eric Bekoe proved his striking prowess once again when he fetched a great goal to power Asante Kotoko to a
1-0 victory over Kessben FC at the Anane Boateng Stadium at Abrankese yesterday.
The manner Bekoe, who now has nine goals in 10 games, sneaked into space to thread the ball past keeper Frank Andoh with that spectacular right-footer from some 20 metres speaks volumes of his predatory instincts.
The time read 60 minutes dead when the striker picked a pass from the centre and, in the twinkling of an eye, let go a grounder that swept past Andoh into the far left corner of the post, and the near-to-capacity stadium came to life.
Kotoko followers had long termed the match “cash for Kessben, points for Kotoko”, and the outcome of the game gave meaning to it as Kessben were expected to reap their biggest ever gate proceeds since the Onetouch Premier League kicked off, while Kotoko grabbed the points at stake, leaving their closest challengers, Heart of Lions, three points adrift on the league table.
Tension was high and at certain stages fans pelted Referee Ebenezer Ferguson with sachet water in reaction to some decisions which did not go in their favour.
Kessben, who had former Kotoko Ivorian striker, Ahmed Toure on top of attack, did not play badly. They forced Kotoko to retreat on many occasions but lacked the firepower to find a way past brilliant Burkinabe international keeper, Sulama Abdulai.
Their greatest opportunity came in the 34th minute, when Toure swerved past the Kotoko defence, but the striker, who looked clumsy on the day could not effect the kill as defender Richard Manu raced from behind to salvage the situation.
When Kotoko put their foot on the accelerator, they exerted pressure on the home side, with hard-running Kwabena Yaro striking a perfect chord with Bekoe to terrorise Kessben. It was to the credit of the Kessben back line that they held them in check in the dying minutes of the first half.
So physical was the game that its beauty was nearly marred on many occasions as Referee Ferguson pulled his yellow card five times on players from both sides.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
KUMASI RESIDENTS URGED TO HELP NAB CABLE THIEVES ...(Page 20)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
RESIDENTS of Kumasi have been asked to assist the Ghana Telecommunications (GT) Company to arrest cable thieves, whose activities continue to impact negatively on the operations of the company.
The newly appointed Ashanti Regional Manager of GT, Mr Jonathan Kessey-Antwi, who made the appeal at a meeting with journalists in Kumasi, said the company had set aside special monetary rewards for informants.
He said the identities of the informants would not be disclosed, so that they would always feel safe to offer information.
Mr Kessey-Antwi indicated that the company was poised to maintain a leading role in the telecommunications business, and urged the business community and individuals in the metropolis to take advantage of their facilities.
The regional manager said the company was aware of the competition in the sector, but said as a true Ghanaian company, it was ready to meet the demands of the people.
He said the pay phones that had broken down would be reactivated as part of a general programme to rejuvenate that aspect of telecommunications.
Mr Kessey-Antwi also said public interest in fixed phones was dwindling, and said efforts were underway to revive the network to re-ignite interest in it.
He stressed the importance of Information, Communications and Technology in today’s world and the future, and said his outfit was moving fast to bring its services to the doorstep of the people.
He said the region had set itself up to become a regional model for telecommunications development.
RESIDENTS of Kumasi have been asked to assist the Ghana Telecommunications (GT) Company to arrest cable thieves, whose activities continue to impact negatively on the operations of the company.
The newly appointed Ashanti Regional Manager of GT, Mr Jonathan Kessey-Antwi, who made the appeal at a meeting with journalists in Kumasi, said the company had set aside special monetary rewards for informants.
He said the identities of the informants would not be disclosed, so that they would always feel safe to offer information.
Mr Kessey-Antwi indicated that the company was poised to maintain a leading role in the telecommunications business, and urged the business community and individuals in the metropolis to take advantage of their facilities.
The regional manager said the company was aware of the competition in the sector, but said as a true Ghanaian company, it was ready to meet the demands of the people.
He said the pay phones that had broken down would be reactivated as part of a general programme to rejuvenate that aspect of telecommunications.
Mr Kessey-Antwi also said public interest in fixed phones was dwindling, and said efforts were underway to revive the network to re-ignite interest in it.
He stressed the importance of Information, Communications and Technology in today’s world and the future, and said his outfit was moving fast to bring its services to the doorstep of the people.
He said the region had set itself up to become a regional model for telecommunications development.
BABA YARA STADIUM HITS JUBILEE ... (Pages 16 & 41)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
A significant page in football history was opened yesterday in the Garden City when football fans converged on the Baba Yara Stadium as Kumasi Asante Kotoko played host to Commune FC of Burkina Faso to celebrate the golden years of Ghana’s largest sporting arena which has hosted some of the greatest matches in the history of African football.
The home ground of Kotoko, arguably one of Africa’s most celebrated football clubs, the Baba Yara stadium is appropriately named after one of Ghana’s most gifted footballers of all-time, Baba Yara, nicknamed ‘The King of Wingers’ who in his heyday was a key member of the national team, which was then called Real Republicans, and Kotoko in the 1960s.
Originally built and presented to the state as a gift by UAC (present-day Unilever Ghana Limited) in 1958, the imposing edifice is a sight to behold as it rises conspicuously with an impressive outer gold glazing on a hilly ground at the heart of Amakom, a suburb of Kumasi. It has been transformed by Consar Construction Limited into an architectural masterpiece, stadium with a seating capacity of 40,514 for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament and will host Group C teams, comprising five-time champions Egypt, four-time winners Cameroun, 1970 winners Sudan and Zambia.
Although it underwent various facelifts ahead of the 1963 and 1978 Nations Cup tournaments in Ghana, the structure shed its old appearance after it was raised to the ground in December 2006 and reconstructed at a cost of $37 million.
In front of the main entrance is a large fountain that welcomes guests into the stadium with its magnificent roofed stand which accommodates the well-equipped commentary boxes, press gallery and the VIP box accessed by a lift and fitted with modern communication equipment and other gadgets that give it the status of a modern sporting facility.
It was opened to the public on December 16 last year after the official inauguration by President J.A. Kufuor.
Formerly known as the Kumasi Sports Stadium until the change in identity in 2003, the Baba Yara Stadium has had its date with football history, particularly in 1983 when Kotoko were crowned African champions for the second time after a 1-0 win over Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and two decades later when Accra Hearts of Oak won the maiden CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of Kotoko in the first-ever continental final involving clubs from the same country.
Perhaps the most significant moment in the history of the stadium was recorded on Sunday August 5, 2005 when Ghana sealed qualification to the Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup, having provided a fertile ground for the Black Stars to achieve the most important moment in Ghana football.
The ecstasy that erupted on those two important moments when Hearts and Kotoko reached the pinnacle of continental football conquests was as significant as the spontaneous outburst of emotion after Stephen Appiah led the Stars to beat a plucky Uganda side 2-0.
At full capacity, it provides both a safe haven for home teams particularly Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars and turns into an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams who often wilt at the sight and booming roar of home fans.
Security and comfort of fans are not compromised as the infrastructure has been built to conform with FIFA standards; there are ramps for physically challenged spectators, CCTV monitors have been fixed at vantage points to keep tabs on miscreants, while medical centres and hospitality joints are well located within the precincts of the stadium to provide a pleasant experience during matches.
Two large conference rooms have been provided for press conferences. There are four changing rooms, a well-equipped gymnasium, 40 new ticketing booths with electronically-operated turnstiles that provide ease of entry for spectators and almost eliminates queueing, which was evident when the old stadium was in operation.
A significant page in football history was opened yesterday in the Garden City when football fans converged on the Baba Yara Stadium as Kumasi Asante Kotoko played host to Commune FC of Burkina Faso to celebrate the golden years of Ghana’s largest sporting arena which has hosted some of the greatest matches in the history of African football.
The home ground of Kotoko, arguably one of Africa’s most celebrated football clubs, the Baba Yara stadium is appropriately named after one of Ghana’s most gifted footballers of all-time, Baba Yara, nicknamed ‘The King of Wingers’ who in his heyday was a key member of the national team, which was then called Real Republicans, and Kotoko in the 1960s.
Originally built and presented to the state as a gift by UAC (present-day Unilever Ghana Limited) in 1958, the imposing edifice is a sight to behold as it rises conspicuously with an impressive outer gold glazing on a hilly ground at the heart of Amakom, a suburb of Kumasi. It has been transformed by Consar Construction Limited into an architectural masterpiece, stadium with a seating capacity of 40,514 for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament and will host Group C teams, comprising five-time champions Egypt, four-time winners Cameroun, 1970 winners Sudan and Zambia.
Although it underwent various facelifts ahead of the 1963 and 1978 Nations Cup tournaments in Ghana, the structure shed its old appearance after it was raised to the ground in December 2006 and reconstructed at a cost of $37 million.
In front of the main entrance is a large fountain that welcomes guests into the stadium with its magnificent roofed stand which accommodates the well-equipped commentary boxes, press gallery and the VIP box accessed by a lift and fitted with modern communication equipment and other gadgets that give it the status of a modern sporting facility.
It was opened to the public on December 16 last year after the official inauguration by President J.A. Kufuor.
Formerly known as the Kumasi Sports Stadium until the change in identity in 2003, the Baba Yara Stadium has had its date with football history, particularly in 1983 when Kotoko were crowned African champions for the second time after a 1-0 win over Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and two decades later when Accra Hearts of Oak won the maiden CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of Kotoko in the first-ever continental final involving clubs from the same country.
Perhaps the most significant moment in the history of the stadium was recorded on Sunday August 5, 2005 when Ghana sealed qualification to the Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup, having provided a fertile ground for the Black Stars to achieve the most important moment in Ghana football.
The ecstasy that erupted on those two important moments when Hearts and Kotoko reached the pinnacle of continental football conquests was as significant as the spontaneous outburst of emotion after Stephen Appiah led the Stars to beat a plucky Uganda side 2-0.
At full capacity, it provides both a safe haven for home teams particularly Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars and turns into an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams who often wilt at the sight and booming roar of home fans.
Security and comfort of fans are not compromised as the infrastructure has been built to conform with FIFA standards; there are ramps for physically challenged spectators, CCTV monitors have been fixed at vantage points to keep tabs on miscreants, while medical centres and hospitality joints are well located within the precincts of the stadium to provide a pleasant experience during matches.
Two large conference rooms have been provided for press conferences. There are four changing rooms, a well-equipped gymnasium, 40 new ticketing booths with electronically-operated turnstiles that provide ease of entry for spectators and almost eliminates queueing, which was evident when the old stadium was in operation.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
THREAT TO LAW AND ORDER IN KUMASI (Page 29)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
I keep asking myself whether bye-laws of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) are made to be obeyed.
Yes, at least, I can pose my question because of the impunity with which people defy the local authority in the implementation of its bye-laws without being sanctioned.
Many are of the conviction that unless the authorities take up the challenge to effectively enforce its bye-laws, Kumasi can become ungovernable in the not-too distant future.
Just visit the central business district of the metropolis, and you will agree with me that indeed something is amiss in the control and management of various activities in the city.
On countless occasions in the past, the assembly had passed various laws with the intention of instilling discipline in the city but most of the laws ended up not being enforced. The irony of the situation is that the assembly committed huge sums of money at attempts at enforcing the laws.
Somewhere last year, the KMA signalled its resolve to once and for all do away with the problem posed by hawkers.
It is believed that at least GH¢100,000 was pumped from the assembly’s coffers to help implement the decongestion exercise.
Itinerant petty traders had virtually taken over the roads, making pedestrian and vehicular movement very difficult in the city centre.
Besides, the activities of the hawkers and other traders who sold in pedestrian walkways had reduced the beauty of the city and there were calls for action by the authorities to help restore the city to its glorious days as the Garden City of West Africa.
It was, therefore, a big relief when the assembly took up the challenge to rid the city centre of hawkers.
With the assistance of the police and military, the KMA started the exercise, albeit, with some difficulty as people were ready to defy the authorities.
So defiant were the traders that some of them had their wares confiscated by the assembly and were fined various sums of money before the goods were released to them with the warning not to return to the streets.
After we were made to believe that all was well with the city, what do we see today? The situation has become even worse, which goes to prove the belief in certain circles that the KMA is powerless.
Sometimes, I find it difficult to believe that the situation has deteriorated to such levels since the KMA Chief Executive, Ms Patricia Appiagyei, as a woman, has proved to be an action-oriented politician and administrator.
Or is it the old saying that political considerations determine the implementation of policies in the metropolis, which has prompted the authorities to back-pedal? We are watching how the assembly will tackle this problem again as we enter an election year.
Expect the usual chanting, “we shall not vote” if the assembly makes another attempt to drive the hawkers away from the streets and pedestrian walkways.
But in the midst of all this I still expect the Kumasi mayor to ensure that the right thing is done to restore the beauty of the city.
I keep asking myself whether bye-laws of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) are made to be obeyed.
Yes, at least, I can pose my question because of the impunity with which people defy the local authority in the implementation of its bye-laws without being sanctioned.
Many are of the conviction that unless the authorities take up the challenge to effectively enforce its bye-laws, Kumasi can become ungovernable in the not-too distant future.
Just visit the central business district of the metropolis, and you will agree with me that indeed something is amiss in the control and management of various activities in the city.
On countless occasions in the past, the assembly had passed various laws with the intention of instilling discipline in the city but most of the laws ended up not being enforced. The irony of the situation is that the assembly committed huge sums of money at attempts at enforcing the laws.
Somewhere last year, the KMA signalled its resolve to once and for all do away with the problem posed by hawkers.
It is believed that at least GH¢100,000 was pumped from the assembly’s coffers to help implement the decongestion exercise.
Itinerant petty traders had virtually taken over the roads, making pedestrian and vehicular movement very difficult in the city centre.
Besides, the activities of the hawkers and other traders who sold in pedestrian walkways had reduced the beauty of the city and there were calls for action by the authorities to help restore the city to its glorious days as the Garden City of West Africa.
It was, therefore, a big relief when the assembly took up the challenge to rid the city centre of hawkers.
With the assistance of the police and military, the KMA started the exercise, albeit, with some difficulty as people were ready to defy the authorities.
So defiant were the traders that some of them had their wares confiscated by the assembly and were fined various sums of money before the goods were released to them with the warning not to return to the streets.
After we were made to believe that all was well with the city, what do we see today? The situation has become even worse, which goes to prove the belief in certain circles that the KMA is powerless.
Sometimes, I find it difficult to believe that the situation has deteriorated to such levels since the KMA Chief Executive, Ms Patricia Appiagyei, as a woman, has proved to be an action-oriented politician and administrator.
Or is it the old saying that political considerations determine the implementation of policies in the metropolis, which has prompted the authorities to back-pedal? We are watching how the assembly will tackle this problem again as we enter an election year.
Expect the usual chanting, “we shall not vote” if the assembly makes another attempt to drive the hawkers away from the streets and pedestrian walkways.
But in the midst of all this I still expect the Kumasi mayor to ensure that the right thing is done to restore the beauty of the city.
GROUP PETITIONS PREZ ON DISTRICT CAPITAL (Page 17)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
A GROUP calling itself the Concerned Citizens Association of Yefri, has petitioned the President against the siting of the capital of the newly created Nkoranza North District at Busunya.
They said from all indications, Yefri rather deserved to be the capital and not Busunya, and, therefore, appealed to the President to review the decision in the interest of fair play, peace and development of the area.
In an eight-point petition, the group alleged that since President Kufuor promised them sometime back during the inauguration of a police station in the town that they would be considered the district capital when a new district was created, they had prepared themselves effectively for that day.
It was, therefore, a surprise that when the announcement came, Busunya, which had no infrastructural base, was selected.
The petition signed by Mr K.A. Kodom, Chairman of the group, stated that from time immemorial, Yefri had played an important role in the development of the Nkoranza District and had a number of infrastructural facilities to befit the district capital.
“Yefri has various infrastructures like two junior high schools, senior high school, a post office, a fire station, police station and a health centre.
“Yefri has a nucleus of structures to house the new district assembly and its decentralised agencies, including an 18-room office complex donated by the chief of Yefri until they could put up their own offices,” he said.
The statement further stated that various landlords had pledged over 30 bedrooms to house the staff who would be posted there, while Nananom had also demarcated a 50-acre land for the new district.
It further said Yefri was centrally located and therefore accessible to all communities of the district.
The group pledged support for the President and his government in their resolve to improve the well-being of the people, but indicated that their petition needed to be looked at to ensure fair play.
A GROUP calling itself the Concerned Citizens Association of Yefri, has petitioned the President against the siting of the capital of the newly created Nkoranza North District at Busunya.
They said from all indications, Yefri rather deserved to be the capital and not Busunya, and, therefore, appealed to the President to review the decision in the interest of fair play, peace and development of the area.
In an eight-point petition, the group alleged that since President Kufuor promised them sometime back during the inauguration of a police station in the town that they would be considered the district capital when a new district was created, they had prepared themselves effectively for that day.
It was, therefore, a surprise that when the announcement came, Busunya, which had no infrastructural base, was selected.
The petition signed by Mr K.A. Kodom, Chairman of the group, stated that from time immemorial, Yefri had played an important role in the development of the Nkoranza District and had a number of infrastructural facilities to befit the district capital.
“Yefri has various infrastructures like two junior high schools, senior high school, a post office, a fire station, police station and a health centre.
“Yefri has a nucleus of structures to house the new district assembly and its decentralised agencies, including an 18-room office complex donated by the chief of Yefri until they could put up their own offices,” he said.
The statement further stated that various landlords had pledged over 30 bedrooms to house the staff who would be posted there, while Nananom had also demarcated a 50-acre land for the new district.
It further said Yefri was centrally located and therefore accessible to all communities of the district.
The group pledged support for the President and his government in their resolve to improve the well-being of the people, but indicated that their petition needed to be looked at to ensure fair play.
DFP URGES BOTCHWAY TO DECLARE STAND ... (Page 16)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE acting Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, has advised former Finance Minister, Dr Kwesi Botchway, to be bold enough to contest the presidential slot of the party in the March congress.
He said Dr Botchway had a very good chance of becoming President of the land if he contested and won the DFP congress
Mr Nti-Fordjour told the Daily Graphic that the former minister in the Rawlings regime was a member of the party, and so he had every right to contest for the slot.
He stated that the party was not afraid of any of the presidential candidates who had so far come up for the 2008 general election.
He said the candidate who would emerge from their congress in March would give Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Dr Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) a shock of their lives in the December elections.
The acting regional chairman called for a campaign of issues rather than of personalities in the run-up to the December elections.
It was in light of this that he condemned a statement allegedly made by NDC General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, to the effect that the 17 aspirants who vied for the NPP presidential flagbearership were all thieves.
“I think Asiedu-Nketia must apologise to save his name and that of his party as it was a disastrous political statement,” he said.
The acting chairman said Ghanaians had tried the NDC and the NPP, and from all indications, the people were now prepared to reject the two parties for a brand new one.
“And that new party,” he said, “should be the DFP, which has an untainted record”.
Mr Nti-Fordjour, however, denied allegations in certain circles that the DFP’s attention was only on the NDC, instead of the NPP which was the party in power.
He explained that it had never been their intention to attack the NDC, stressing that “after all, we are all from that party”.
He, however, pointed out that “we have every right to repulse any attack that comes from their camp”.
Mr Nti-Fordjour said his outfit was seriously organising itself in the 39 constituencies to increase the support base.
According to him, the “large number of people” who were joining the party were not from the NDC only, but also the NPP and other parties.
Mr Nti-Fordjour said the party was not concerned about the hullabaloo that Nana Akufo-Addo was going round in a long convoy of vehicles.
He emphasised that “we will campaign on foot, but will definitely give the NPP the real shocker,” he said.
THE acting Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, has advised former Finance Minister, Dr Kwesi Botchway, to be bold enough to contest the presidential slot of the party in the March congress.
He said Dr Botchway had a very good chance of becoming President of the land if he contested and won the DFP congress
Mr Nti-Fordjour told the Daily Graphic that the former minister in the Rawlings regime was a member of the party, and so he had every right to contest for the slot.
He stated that the party was not afraid of any of the presidential candidates who had so far come up for the 2008 general election.
He said the candidate who would emerge from their congress in March would give Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Dr Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) a shock of their lives in the December elections.
The acting regional chairman called for a campaign of issues rather than of personalities in the run-up to the December elections.
It was in light of this that he condemned a statement allegedly made by NDC General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, to the effect that the 17 aspirants who vied for the NPP presidential flagbearership were all thieves.
“I think Asiedu-Nketia must apologise to save his name and that of his party as it was a disastrous political statement,” he said.
The acting chairman said Ghanaians had tried the NDC and the NPP, and from all indications, the people were now prepared to reject the two parties for a brand new one.
“And that new party,” he said, “should be the DFP, which has an untainted record”.
Mr Nti-Fordjour, however, denied allegations in certain circles that the DFP’s attention was only on the NDC, instead of the NPP which was the party in power.
He explained that it had never been their intention to attack the NDC, stressing that “after all, we are all from that party”.
He, however, pointed out that “we have every right to repulse any attack that comes from their camp”.
Mr Nti-Fordjour said his outfit was seriously organising itself in the 39 constituencies to increase the support base.
According to him, the “large number of people” who were joining the party were not from the NDC only, but also the NPP and other parties.
Mr Nti-Fordjour said the party was not concerned about the hullabaloo that Nana Akufo-Addo was going round in a long convoy of vehicles.
He emphasised that “we will campaign on foot, but will definitely give the NPP the real shocker,” he said.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
ZOOMLION CLEARS KUMASI OF FILTH (Page 30)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
ONE area that needs to be watched critically in order to make Kumasi one of the reputable host cities of the Africa Cup of Nations is sanitation.
However, many are those who express worry about the preparations so far made by the authorities concerned as regards sanitation prior to the tournament.
But through waste management giants, Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZL), some window of hope has come to fans of the game and all others who believe in proper sanitation practices as a major prerequisite for enhancing community development.
Over the past year, ZL has been in the forefront of beautifying the metropolis with sanitation as its main focus. When it became clear that the Waste Management Department of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) did not have the machinery and manpower to tackle the challenges, ZL came in to fill the vacuum.
On Saturday, the company undertook its biggest ever pre-Africa Cup of Nations clean-up exercise in Kumasi to help position the city environmentally for the biggest continental sporting event.
The exercise, which was undertaken in conjunction with the KMA, was part of a GH¢23,000 regional programme which the company had embarked upon in all the districts of the Ashanti Region in the build-up to the tournament. The district events would also be undertaken in conjunction with the various district assemblies.
Saturday’s event in Kumasi saw the clean-up, decoration of streets, removal of piled-up refuse from many of the suburbs and the sweeping of various corners of the metropolis.
A number of residents joined in the exercise to help make the environment clean and to project the image of the city as a hygienic community.
In an interview after the exercise, the Operations Executive of the company in charge of the Ashanti Region, Ms Sharon Quarshie, said ZL had been in the forefront of activities to beautify the city, not only in preparation for the African Cup of Nations, but for the future growth of the metropolis.
She said Kumasi occupied an important position in Ghana as the second biggest city, and an important centre of the rich Ghanaian culture and tradition, as such it needed to be kept clean to maintain its image.
Ms Quarshie stressed that the thousands of visitors who would be coming to the city for the football fiesta would have to carry a good image of the city with them back to their various countries, and one surest way to ensure that this was achieved was through a clean environment.
The operations executive advised the people against indiscriminate littering, saying such activities were a disincentive to development.
She expressed concern that some people still erroneously believed they could dump their rubbish anyhow, because it was the duty of the assembly to collect it.
Ms Quarshie said the indiscriminate dumping of garbage could result in the outbreak of diseases, with disastrous consequences for the people.
She gave the assurance that ZL would never relent in its efforts at ensuring that sanitation was improved in all the districts of the region.
She, therefore, appealed to the people in the districts to co-operate with the company in the exercise when it started.
Ms Quarshie commended the KMA for the support it continued to give the company to enable it deliver quality service to the people.
She reminded the people about painting of buildings which was due to start in Kumasi this week, adding that it would be undertaken at a reduced cost to the people so that as many households as possible would take advantage of it to bring life to their houses.
She again appealed to companies to support the company’s exercise to paint the major streets in the metropolis by donating paints and other necessary items as well as cash to make the exercise a success.
ONE area that needs to be watched critically in order to make Kumasi one of the reputable host cities of the Africa Cup of Nations is sanitation.
However, many are those who express worry about the preparations so far made by the authorities concerned as regards sanitation prior to the tournament.
But through waste management giants, Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZL), some window of hope has come to fans of the game and all others who believe in proper sanitation practices as a major prerequisite for enhancing community development.
Over the past year, ZL has been in the forefront of beautifying the metropolis with sanitation as its main focus. When it became clear that the Waste Management Department of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) did not have the machinery and manpower to tackle the challenges, ZL came in to fill the vacuum.
On Saturday, the company undertook its biggest ever pre-Africa Cup of Nations clean-up exercise in Kumasi to help position the city environmentally for the biggest continental sporting event.
The exercise, which was undertaken in conjunction with the KMA, was part of a GH¢23,000 regional programme which the company had embarked upon in all the districts of the Ashanti Region in the build-up to the tournament. The district events would also be undertaken in conjunction with the various district assemblies.
Saturday’s event in Kumasi saw the clean-up, decoration of streets, removal of piled-up refuse from many of the suburbs and the sweeping of various corners of the metropolis.
A number of residents joined in the exercise to help make the environment clean and to project the image of the city as a hygienic community.
In an interview after the exercise, the Operations Executive of the company in charge of the Ashanti Region, Ms Sharon Quarshie, said ZL had been in the forefront of activities to beautify the city, not only in preparation for the African Cup of Nations, but for the future growth of the metropolis.
She said Kumasi occupied an important position in Ghana as the second biggest city, and an important centre of the rich Ghanaian culture and tradition, as such it needed to be kept clean to maintain its image.
Ms Quarshie stressed that the thousands of visitors who would be coming to the city for the football fiesta would have to carry a good image of the city with them back to their various countries, and one surest way to ensure that this was achieved was through a clean environment.
The operations executive advised the people against indiscriminate littering, saying such activities were a disincentive to development.
She expressed concern that some people still erroneously believed they could dump their rubbish anyhow, because it was the duty of the assembly to collect it.
Ms Quarshie said the indiscriminate dumping of garbage could result in the outbreak of diseases, with disastrous consequences for the people.
She gave the assurance that ZL would never relent in its efforts at ensuring that sanitation was improved in all the districts of the region.
She, therefore, appealed to the people in the districts to co-operate with the company in the exercise when it started.
Ms Quarshie commended the KMA for the support it continued to give the company to enable it deliver quality service to the people.
She reminded the people about painting of buildings which was due to start in Kumasi this week, adding that it would be undertaken at a reduced cost to the people so that as many households as possible would take advantage of it to bring life to their houses.
She again appealed to companies to support the company’s exercise to paint the major streets in the metropolis by donating paints and other necessary items as well as cash to make the exercise a success.
Monday, January 7, 2008
AHAFO ANO NEEDS PEACE ... (Page 16)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Tepa
A GROUP calling itself the Concerned Youth of Ahafo Ano North has called on the entire youth of the district to guard against the activities of people who want to use them to create confusion in the district and make the government unpopular for political reasons, especially as the nation is in the election year.
The group said the district needed peace to develop, and as such any person who decided to undertake any activity that would threaten the peace and unity to eventually tarnish the image of the government must be shunned.
At a news conference at Tepa, the district capital, last Friday, to respond to some allegations by one Richard Merz, President of the Tepa Youth Association (TYA), against the District Chief Executive (DCE), Nana Eric Agyemang Prempeh, the spokesman for the group, Mr Ransford Hammond Donkor, said “it was obvious that the allegations were only meant to score political points.
Mr Merz had alleged in a press statement that the DCE was frustrating the TYA in undertaking its activities because of the decision by the association to question the DCE’s mismanagement of the district.
He alleged, for instance, that Nana Prempeh had frozen a financial support (bursary) instituted by the assembly which supported students in the district.
However, the spokesman said “it is obvious that the assertions by Mr Merz are brewed out of falsehood and personal vendetta or scores which he wants to settle with authorities”.
Mr Donkor said through the DCE, the bursary, which used to be GH¢30 per academic year when the DCE assumed office in August 2007, had been raised to GH¢ 50 now, and added 120 more students as current beneficiaries.
He also denied an allegation by Mr Merz that the DCE ordered that members of the association be denied entry to the Tepa Town Hall for a meeting when the Omanhene of the town, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, had given them the go-ahead to use the centre.
He stated that the allegation was only meant to sow seed of disunity between the DCE and the Omanhene when no animosity existed between them.
Mr Donkor noted that from all indications, Mr Merz was out to use the allegations to advance the course of his opposition party in order to paint the DCE and the government as corrupt and insensitive to the plight of the people.
A GROUP calling itself the Concerned Youth of Ahafo Ano North has called on the entire youth of the district to guard against the activities of people who want to use them to create confusion in the district and make the government unpopular for political reasons, especially as the nation is in the election year.
The group said the district needed peace to develop, and as such any person who decided to undertake any activity that would threaten the peace and unity to eventually tarnish the image of the government must be shunned.
At a news conference at Tepa, the district capital, last Friday, to respond to some allegations by one Richard Merz, President of the Tepa Youth Association (TYA), against the District Chief Executive (DCE), Nana Eric Agyemang Prempeh, the spokesman for the group, Mr Ransford Hammond Donkor, said “it was obvious that the allegations were only meant to score political points.
Mr Merz had alleged in a press statement that the DCE was frustrating the TYA in undertaking its activities because of the decision by the association to question the DCE’s mismanagement of the district.
He alleged, for instance, that Nana Prempeh had frozen a financial support (bursary) instituted by the assembly which supported students in the district.
However, the spokesman said “it is obvious that the assertions by Mr Merz are brewed out of falsehood and personal vendetta or scores which he wants to settle with authorities”.
Mr Donkor said through the DCE, the bursary, which used to be GH¢30 per academic year when the DCE assumed office in August 2007, had been raised to GH¢ 50 now, and added 120 more students as current beneficiaries.
He also denied an allegation by Mr Merz that the DCE ordered that members of the association be denied entry to the Tepa Town Hall for a meeting when the Omanhene of the town, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, had given them the go-ahead to use the centre.
He stated that the allegation was only meant to sow seed of disunity between the DCE and the Omanhene when no animosity existed between them.
Mr Donkor noted that from all indications, Mr Merz was out to use the allegations to advance the course of his opposition party in order to paint the DCE and the government as corrupt and insensitive to the plight of the people.
KIBAKI INVITES KUFUOR ..(Page 5)
Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, has formally invited President J.A. Kufuor, the African Union Chairman, to help in finding an amicable solution to Kenya’s post election conflict.
President Kibaki’s Special Envoy, Mr Moses Wetangula, who conveyed the invitation to President Kufuor in Kumasi on Saturday, also presented a special message from the Kenyan leader to the AU Chairman.
The content of the message was not disclosed but was believed to have centred on the political turmoil in Kenya.
President Kufuor accepted the invitation but indicated that the date on which he would travel to Kenya would be made known later.
President Kibaki was proclaimed winner in the Kenyan general election on December 27, 2007 but Mr Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democractic Movement (ODM), the main opposition party, challenged the results claiming that the election was rigged.
An ensuing violence has claimed the lives of more than 300 people and displaced some 70,000 others.
The political development in Kenya is hurting the economies of other Eastern African countries which depend on Kenya for some essential services.
But there appears to be a glimmer of hope as President Kibaki and Mr Odinga have both indicated their preparedness to use dialogue to resolve the conflict.
Accepting the invitation, President Kufuor said the willingness of the political leadership in Kenya to form a national unity government was a step in the right direction and impressed on the political establishment to use dialogue to resolve any misunderstandings resulting from the elections. “Violence is destructive and destabilisation of normal life should not be countenanced,” he said.
President Kufuor said as Chairman of the AU, he was naturally concerned about the situation in Kenya and was willing to constribute to the restoration of peace in that country.
Briefing President Kufuor on the situation in Kenya, Mr Wetangula, said the situation in Kenya was stabilising except that there were some pockets of disturbances in the western part of that country.
Present at the meeting were Mr Kwasi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, NEPAD and Regional Integration, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Andrew Awuni, the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, and some government officials.
Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, has formally invited President J.A. Kufuor, the African Union Chairman, to help in finding an amicable solution to Kenya’s post election conflict.
President Kibaki’s Special Envoy, Mr Moses Wetangula, who conveyed the invitation to President Kufuor in Kumasi on Saturday, also presented a special message from the Kenyan leader to the AU Chairman.
The content of the message was not disclosed but was believed to have centred on the political turmoil in Kenya.
President Kufuor accepted the invitation but indicated that the date on which he would travel to Kenya would be made known later.
President Kibaki was proclaimed winner in the Kenyan general election on December 27, 2007 but Mr Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democractic Movement (ODM), the main opposition party, challenged the results claiming that the election was rigged.
An ensuing violence has claimed the lives of more than 300 people and displaced some 70,000 others.
The political development in Kenya is hurting the economies of other Eastern African countries which depend on Kenya for some essential services.
But there appears to be a glimmer of hope as President Kibaki and Mr Odinga have both indicated their preparedness to use dialogue to resolve the conflict.
Accepting the invitation, President Kufuor said the willingness of the political leadership in Kenya to form a national unity government was a step in the right direction and impressed on the political establishment to use dialogue to resolve any misunderstandings resulting from the elections. “Violence is destructive and destabilisation of normal life should not be countenanced,” he said.
President Kufuor said as Chairman of the AU, he was naturally concerned about the situation in Kenya and was willing to constribute to the restoration of peace in that country.
Briefing President Kufuor on the situation in Kenya, Mr Wetangula, said the situation in Kenya was stabilising except that there were some pockets of disturbances in the western part of that country.
Present at the meeting were Mr Kwasi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, NEPAD and Regional Integration, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Andrew Awuni, the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, and some government officials.
Friday, January 4, 2008
COURT DISMISSES STAY OF EXECUTION (Page 24)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Fast Track High Court in Kumasi has dismissed an application for stay of execution filed by Nii Larbie Mensah IV, pending the determination of an appeal against an order for the deletion of his name as chief of Ablekuma from the national registrar of chiefs.
Mr Justice Kwame Ansu-Gyeabour, who presided, said, “I have no doubt in my mind that the application has no merit whatsoever and must fail.”
Costs of GH¢300 were awarded against Nii Larbie.
Nii Larbie had sought an order from the court for a stay of execution after a Kumasi High Court had ruled on June 22, 2007, that the National House of Chiefs should take steps to remove his name from the national register of chiefs for the Greater Accra Region because it was not properly done.
The substantive matter for the deletion of the name of Nii Larbie from the register of the National House of Chiefs was filed by Nii Larbie Mensah and Mr Adjin Tetteh, both of Ablekuma.
Arguing for the stay of execution, counsel for the applicant, Mr A.A. Somua-Asamoah, said that to remove the name of his client from the register of chiefs and insert another person’s name was only to duplicate matters and bring unnecessary tension in the Ablekuma area.
He further stated that the ruling on June 22, 2007 was not “an executable order.
Counsel argued that the execution process did not affect the original ruling because there was no executable order.
In his reply, counsel for respondent, Mr Obeng Manu, said since the National House of Chiefs could be brought before the High Court for contempt if it failed to carry out the order to delete the name of the applicant, the ruling was executable.
THE Fast Track High Court in Kumasi has dismissed an application for stay of execution filed by Nii Larbie Mensah IV, pending the determination of an appeal against an order for the deletion of his name as chief of Ablekuma from the national registrar of chiefs.
Mr Justice Kwame Ansu-Gyeabour, who presided, said, “I have no doubt in my mind that the application has no merit whatsoever and must fail.”
Costs of GH¢300 were awarded against Nii Larbie.
Nii Larbie had sought an order from the court for a stay of execution after a Kumasi High Court had ruled on June 22, 2007, that the National House of Chiefs should take steps to remove his name from the national register of chiefs for the Greater Accra Region because it was not properly done.
The substantive matter for the deletion of the name of Nii Larbie from the register of the National House of Chiefs was filed by Nii Larbie Mensah and Mr Adjin Tetteh, both of Ablekuma.
Arguing for the stay of execution, counsel for the applicant, Mr A.A. Somua-Asamoah, said that to remove the name of his client from the register of chiefs and insert another person’s name was only to duplicate matters and bring unnecessary tension in the Ablekuma area.
He further stated that the ruling on June 22, 2007 was not “an executable order.
Counsel argued that the execution process did not affect the original ruling because there was no executable order.
In his reply, counsel for respondent, Mr Obeng Manu, said since the National House of Chiefs could be brought before the High Court for contempt if it failed to carry out the order to delete the name of the applicant, the ruling was executable.
FAISAL MATCH GROSS GH¢88,000 (Page 39)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
KING Faisal hit their biggest ever gate proceeds in any match when a gross of GH¢88,000 (¢880 million) was realised from their Onetouch Premier League match against city rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium last Wednesday.
Team manager Kamel Ahmed told the Daily Graphic yesterday that Faisal were happy about the attendance even though the stadium was not filled to capacity.
He said even though the deductions to be made could be on the higher side, the club hoped to realise “something substantial” to cushion them into the league.
About 90 per cent of the fans at the stadium were Kotoko supporters.
The match, match played under floodlights, ended goalless, with Kotoko playing with 10 men for 73 minutes after their hardworking defender, Harrison Afful, was shown the red card in the 17th minute for hitting an opponent.
The result brought Kpando Heart of Lions on level with Kotoko on points (19 apiece), bringing some life into the league. The Kpando team beat Tema Youth 1-0 in Cape Coast.
Kamel blamed Faisal’s technical bench for failing to organise the team to beat Kotoko when the Porcupine Warriors were down to 10 men.
He said the coach was simply not up to the task on the day and expressed the hope that the team would be in good shape before their next game with Zaytuna FC.
One player who exhibited abuntant talent was Eric Bekoe. The Asante Kotoko lead striker, currently on seven goals, did not score but was at his harrasing best, creating anxious moments for the Faisal defence.
He was unlucky to have missed two good opportuities, one in each half, but sent home the fact that he had indeed arrived.
Kotoko never showed any numerical disavdantage with their defence being very solid, and attack flowing on several occasions.
KING Faisal hit their biggest ever gate proceeds in any match when a gross of GH¢88,000 (¢880 million) was realised from their Onetouch Premier League match against city rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium last Wednesday.
Team manager Kamel Ahmed told the Daily Graphic yesterday that Faisal were happy about the attendance even though the stadium was not filled to capacity.
He said even though the deductions to be made could be on the higher side, the club hoped to realise “something substantial” to cushion them into the league.
About 90 per cent of the fans at the stadium were Kotoko supporters.
The match, match played under floodlights, ended goalless, with Kotoko playing with 10 men for 73 minutes after their hardworking defender, Harrison Afful, was shown the red card in the 17th minute for hitting an opponent.
The result brought Kpando Heart of Lions on level with Kotoko on points (19 apiece), bringing some life into the league. The Kpando team beat Tema Youth 1-0 in Cape Coast.
Kamel blamed Faisal’s technical bench for failing to organise the team to beat Kotoko when the Porcupine Warriors were down to 10 men.
He said the coach was simply not up to the task on the day and expressed the hope that the team would be in good shape before their next game with Zaytuna FC.
One player who exhibited abuntant talent was Eric Bekoe. The Asante Kotoko lead striker, currently on seven goals, did not score but was at his harrasing best, creating anxious moments for the Faisal defence.
He was unlucky to have missed two good opportuities, one in each half, but sent home the fact that he had indeed arrived.
Kotoko never showed any numerical disavdantage with their defence being very solid, and attack flowing on several occasions.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
FAISAL HOLD KOTOKO (Back Page)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
LEADERS Kumasi Asante Kotoko, playing with 10 men for 73 minutes, exhibited abundant stamina to hold a determined King Faisal to a goaless drawn game in a pulsating derby at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
Defensive talent Harrison Afful, who had the penchant for joining the attack with his brilliant runs down the flanks, was sent off by referee Charles Dowuona after 17 minutes for hitting Enock Andoh in an off-the-ball incident, but the Porcupine Warriors played superbly, and but for some few lapses, could have carried the day.
Watched by a good mid-week crowd, the match started on a tight note but it was Faisal who forced two corner kicks within three minutes.
Striker Eric Bekoe, attempting to break his two-match goal drought, combined effectively with the huge-framed Kwabena Yaro, but the leading scorer always found it difficult to find a way past Awudu Nafiu and Daniel Addo in the defence of Faisal.
LEADERS Kumasi Asante Kotoko, playing with 10 men for 73 minutes, exhibited abundant stamina to hold a determined King Faisal to a goaless drawn game in a pulsating derby at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
Defensive talent Harrison Afful, who had the penchant for joining the attack with his brilliant runs down the flanks, was sent off by referee Charles Dowuona after 17 minutes for hitting Enock Andoh in an off-the-ball incident, but the Porcupine Warriors played superbly, and but for some few lapses, could have carried the day.
Watched by a good mid-week crowd, the match started on a tight note but it was Faisal who forced two corner kicks within three minutes.
Striker Eric Bekoe, attempting to break his two-match goal drought, combined effectively with the huge-framed Kwabena Yaro, but the leading scorer always found it difficult to find a way past Awudu Nafiu and Daniel Addo in the defence of Faisal.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
ZOOMLION TO GIVE KUMASI FACELIFT (Page 29)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a leading waste management company, will, from next Monday, January 7, begin a major exercise to paint ceremonial roads and the buildings along them in the Kumasi metropolis as part of the beautification programme in readiness for the Africa Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008).
The Operations Manager of the company in Ashanti, Ms Sharon Quarshie, said the exercise would be undertaken in conjunction with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
Zoomlion has, over the past few months, intensified its activities to give Kumasi, one of the venues of the Nations, a facelift.
It has been clearing piled up refuse and growing and nurturing grass along some major roads as part of the exercise.
Ms Quarshie told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi that the painting exercise was one of the last activities under the beautification exercise before the kick off of the tournament.
She mentioned some of the roads to benefit from the exercise as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Junction - Asafo Interchange Roundabout, Anloga Junction - Airport Roundabout and the Bantama High Street.
The operations manager said those who wanted their entire buildings to be painted would pay a “minimum fee”, while those who would want only the frontages of their buildings to be painted might have it done free of charge.
She appealed to companies and individuals to support the company with paint, brushes and other items to make the painting of the roads a success.
Ms Quarshie said Zoomlion would always seek the support of residents towards its activities to achieve results.
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a leading waste management company, will, from next Monday, January 7, begin a major exercise to paint ceremonial roads and the buildings along them in the Kumasi metropolis as part of the beautification programme in readiness for the Africa Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008).
The Operations Manager of the company in Ashanti, Ms Sharon Quarshie, said the exercise would be undertaken in conjunction with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
Zoomlion has, over the past few months, intensified its activities to give Kumasi, one of the venues of the Nations, a facelift.
It has been clearing piled up refuse and growing and nurturing grass along some major roads as part of the exercise.
Ms Quarshie told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi that the painting exercise was one of the last activities under the beautification exercise before the kick off of the tournament.
She mentioned some of the roads to benefit from the exercise as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Junction - Asafo Interchange Roundabout, Anloga Junction - Airport Roundabout and the Bantama High Street.
The operations manager said those who wanted their entire buildings to be painted would pay a “minimum fee”, while those who would want only the frontages of their buildings to be painted might have it done free of charge.
She appealed to companies and individuals to support the company with paint, brushes and other items to make the painting of the roads a success.
Ms Quarshie said Zoomlion would always seek the support of residents towards its activities to achieve results.
1,000 GET FREE EYE-SCREENING IN KUMASI (Page 29)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu. Kumasi
OVER one thousand people have been screened for eye deffects in Kumasi as part of a road safety programme undertaken by the Centre for Betterment Collaboration Ghana (CBC) , a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in conjunction with the Faith Assemblies of God Church at Tafo-Nhyiaeso, on Sunday.
The exercise, which was in line with the organisation’s life saving initiatives, was organised free of charge for the beneficiaries, some of whom were given free medication or referred to the hospital for further treatment.
Doctors and nurses from the Kumasi South Hospital assisted in the exercise.
The administrator of CBC Ghana, Mr Kwaku Kyei-Acheampong, told the Daily Graphic that eye defects on the part of some drivers and pedestrians could be major sources of accidents, that was why his outfit was targeting both groups in this life saving initiative.
He said the exercise would be extended to other churches in the metropolis to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from it.
Mr Kyei-Acheampong said the church was one area where many groups of people congregated and conducting the exercise there would always be fruitful.
The administrator said the CBC had also begun a programme to stock the blood banks of some hospitals so that doctors would have something to fall on in times of emergency.
The exercise started with the Suhum Hospital where about 200 units of blood was donated.
Addressing the congregation later, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the National Road Safety Committee, Mr Kwaku Oware Boateng, commended the NGO for its initiatives and said his outfit was always ready to collaborate with organisations that took road safety activities seriously.
He said the road was important to erveryone, that was why activities geared towards road safety must be embraced by all.
Mr Oware-Boateng said drivers in the metropolis had a duty to exercise the greatest caution on the road as the African Cup of Nations was approaching.
Even though he did not provide statistics, the co-ordinator said accidents in the region had reduced drastically in the past year and expressed the hope that the situation would continue to improve to save lives.
OVER one thousand people have been screened for eye deffects in Kumasi as part of a road safety programme undertaken by the Centre for Betterment Collaboration Ghana (CBC) , a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in conjunction with the Faith Assemblies of God Church at Tafo-Nhyiaeso, on Sunday.
The exercise, which was in line with the organisation’s life saving initiatives, was organised free of charge for the beneficiaries, some of whom were given free medication or referred to the hospital for further treatment.
Doctors and nurses from the Kumasi South Hospital assisted in the exercise.
The administrator of CBC Ghana, Mr Kwaku Kyei-Acheampong, told the Daily Graphic that eye defects on the part of some drivers and pedestrians could be major sources of accidents, that was why his outfit was targeting both groups in this life saving initiative.
He said the exercise would be extended to other churches in the metropolis to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from it.
Mr Kyei-Acheampong said the church was one area where many groups of people congregated and conducting the exercise there would always be fruitful.
The administrator said the CBC had also begun a programme to stock the blood banks of some hospitals so that doctors would have something to fall on in times of emergency.
The exercise started with the Suhum Hospital where about 200 units of blood was donated.
Addressing the congregation later, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the National Road Safety Committee, Mr Kwaku Oware Boateng, commended the NGO for its initiatives and said his outfit was always ready to collaborate with organisations that took road safety activities seriously.
He said the road was important to erveryone, that was why activities geared towards road safety must be embraced by all.
Mr Oware-Boateng said drivers in the metropolis had a duty to exercise the greatest caution on the road as the African Cup of Nations was approaching.
Even though he did not provide statistics, the co-ordinator said accidents in the region had reduced drastically in the past year and expressed the hope that the situation would continue to improve to save lives.
ILLEGAL CAR WASHING JOINTS CLOSED DOWN (Page 29)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Kumasi Metropolitan Transport Commission has begun an exercise to close down all illegal car washing joints as part of the city’s beautification programme.
The chairman of the commission, Mr Adusei Bonsu, told the Daily Graphic that illegal washing of cars, especially by the roads was gradually gaining roots in the metropolis with its negative consequences.
“We have, therefore, started an exercise to flush the operators out”, the commission chairman, who is also the assembly member for Dadiesoaba in Kumasi said.
He said washing cars by the roads destroyed the infrastructure which the government and the assembly had spent huge sums of money to provide.
Mr Adusei said such activities also caused traffic jams unnecessarily, and , therefore, stressed the need for residents to respect the assembly’s by-laws.
Mr Adusei said one of the notorious washing joints that had been removed was located at Dunkirk.
He said the commission with the backing of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) would prosecute the operators who tried to resist the removal of their businesses.
Mr Adusei called on the Ghana Water Company to stop connecting water to the unauthorised washing bays.
He said the operations of the commission had received the full blessing of the metropolitan chief executive, and commended her for the immense support she had given the commission.
THE Kumasi Metropolitan Transport Commission has begun an exercise to close down all illegal car washing joints as part of the city’s beautification programme.
The chairman of the commission, Mr Adusei Bonsu, told the Daily Graphic that illegal washing of cars, especially by the roads was gradually gaining roots in the metropolis with its negative consequences.
“We have, therefore, started an exercise to flush the operators out”, the commission chairman, who is also the assembly member for Dadiesoaba in Kumasi said.
He said washing cars by the roads destroyed the infrastructure which the government and the assembly had spent huge sums of money to provide.
Mr Adusei said such activities also caused traffic jams unnecessarily, and , therefore, stressed the need for residents to respect the assembly’s by-laws.
Mr Adusei said one of the notorious washing joints that had been removed was located at Dunkirk.
He said the commission with the backing of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) would prosecute the operators who tried to resist the removal of their businesses.
Mr Adusei called on the Ghana Water Company to stop connecting water to the unauthorised washing bays.
He said the operations of the commission had received the full blessing of the metropolitan chief executive, and commended her for the immense support she had given the commission.
SME's MUST GO PUBLIC ...To raise long-term capital (Page 33)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, has encouraged businesses, including small, medium and large scale, to consider listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
The minister said this at the fourth Ashanti Business and Financial Services Excellence Awards in Kumasi that listing on the GSE would enable the companies to raise more equity capital and expand their businesses.
The ceremony, which was organised by Top Brass Limited, an event organising firm, under the auspices of the Manhyia Palace, saw the presentation of awards in 13 categories in the business sector, and five categories in the financial services sector.
The minister stated that the government had created the right environment for businesses to thrive, and urged them to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr Baah-Wiredu also challenged businesses to operate with the banks in order to secure their funds, and to also cultivate the habit of paying back loans they contracted from the lending institutions.
Touching on the proliferation of banks in the country, the minister said the situation was a clear manifestation of the good business climate in the country, adding “What is even more exciting is that these banks operate in all the categories of the banking sector with different specialities.”
He disclosed that credit support by the local banks to the private sector increased from GH¢542.1 million to GH¢1,348.5 million as of September, 2007.
Mr Baah-Wiredu also stressed the need for the business sector to consider entering into the productive sector of manufacturing and agro-processing, which has higher opportunities of job and wealth creation.
He cited soya bean and oil palm processing as a good business venture and gave the assurance that the government would support investments in those areas.
Stressing the importance of Ghana’s entry into the global market as a sovereign borrower last year to raise $750 million, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government had created new opportunities and challenges for the public and private sectors on the domestic and international financial markets.
He said as a result of the important regulatory services put in place by the government to facilitate businesses in Ghana, the World Bank’s Doing Business Report over the last two years had ranked Ghana among the top 10 reformers globally out of 175 countries surveyed.
Mr Baah-Wiredu commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for encouraging the institution of the awards.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr E. A. Owusu-Ansah, observed that the awards were a challenge to the business community in the region to explore the region’s economic opportunities and maximise its contribution to the economic development of Ghana.
He stressed the need for the nurturing and motivation of young entreprenuers in the region to enable them to offer their best.
THE Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, has encouraged businesses, including small, medium and large scale, to consider listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
The minister said this at the fourth Ashanti Business and Financial Services Excellence Awards in Kumasi that listing on the GSE would enable the companies to raise more equity capital and expand their businesses.
The ceremony, which was organised by Top Brass Limited, an event organising firm, under the auspices of the Manhyia Palace, saw the presentation of awards in 13 categories in the business sector, and five categories in the financial services sector.
The minister stated that the government had created the right environment for businesses to thrive, and urged them to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr Baah-Wiredu also challenged businesses to operate with the banks in order to secure their funds, and to also cultivate the habit of paying back loans they contracted from the lending institutions.
Touching on the proliferation of banks in the country, the minister said the situation was a clear manifestation of the good business climate in the country, adding “What is even more exciting is that these banks operate in all the categories of the banking sector with different specialities.”
He disclosed that credit support by the local banks to the private sector increased from GH¢542.1 million to GH¢1,348.5 million as of September, 2007.
Mr Baah-Wiredu also stressed the need for the business sector to consider entering into the productive sector of manufacturing and agro-processing, which has higher opportunities of job and wealth creation.
He cited soya bean and oil palm processing as a good business venture and gave the assurance that the government would support investments in those areas.
Stressing the importance of Ghana’s entry into the global market as a sovereign borrower last year to raise $750 million, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government had created new opportunities and challenges for the public and private sectors on the domestic and international financial markets.
He said as a result of the important regulatory services put in place by the government to facilitate businesses in Ghana, the World Bank’s Doing Business Report over the last two years had ranked Ghana among the top 10 reformers globally out of 175 countries surveyed.
Mr Baah-Wiredu commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for encouraging the institution of the awards.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr E. A. Owusu-Ansah, observed that the awards were a challenge to the business community in the region to explore the region’s economic opportunities and maximise its contribution to the economic development of Ghana.
He stressed the need for the nurturing and motivation of young entreprenuers in the region to enable them to offer their best.
OSEI-ASSIBEY ANTWI TO CONTEST MANHYIA CONSTITUENCY FOR NPP (Page 16)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu
THE Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, has formally declared his intention to contest the Manhyia Constituency primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The primary is likely to be held before June, this year.
He said he had listened to pieces of advice from the rank and file of the party and even floating voters to contest because of his track record.
“I think I have something to offer the people of the constituency by representing them in Parliament,” Mr Osei-Assibey told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
The Manhyia Constituency is one of the safe seats of the NPP in the Ashanti Region.
It is an important seat for the people of Ashanti because that is where the Asantehene resides and votes.
The incumbent MP, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, is not contesting the seat again after three terms in Parliament.
Mr Osei-Assibey, who is also the Deputy Ashanti Regional chairman of the NPP, said he had the experience to build on the good work that Dr Addo-Kufuor did in Parliament.
He said from the support so far received from the people, nothing would prevent him from becoming the parliamentary candidate of the NPP and eventually the NPP MP for the area.
He pledged to work in close collaboration with the rank and file of the party to ensure a resounding victory for the NPP in the constituency in the 2008 elections.
THE Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, has formally declared his intention to contest the Manhyia Constituency primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The primary is likely to be held before June, this year.
He said he had listened to pieces of advice from the rank and file of the party and even floating voters to contest because of his track record.
“I think I have something to offer the people of the constituency by representing them in Parliament,” Mr Osei-Assibey told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
The Manhyia Constituency is one of the safe seats of the NPP in the Ashanti Region.
It is an important seat for the people of Ashanti because that is where the Asantehene resides and votes.
The incumbent MP, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, is not contesting the seat again after three terms in Parliament.
Mr Osei-Assibey, who is also the Deputy Ashanti Regional chairman of the NPP, said he had the experience to build on the good work that Dr Addo-Kufuor did in Parliament.
He said from the support so far received from the people, nothing would prevent him from becoming the parliamentary candidate of the NPP and eventually the NPP MP for the area.
He pledged to work in close collaboration with the rank and file of the party to ensure a resounding victory for the NPP in the constituency in the 2008 elections.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)