THE Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Wesley Senior High School at Bekwai in the Ashanti Region has undertaken a number of projects and planned new ones to boost teaching and learning in the school.
Among the completed projects is a boys dormitory block, while proposed projects include a two-storey classroom block and a dining hall complex.
At a PTA general meeting at the school at Bekwai, where a mini-bus was presented by the PTA Chairman, Mr R. H. Gyimah-Ankoannah, he said the association had also instituted a motivation scheme for teachers to supplement their salaries as a way of enticing them to put in their best.
He, therefore, urged teachers to work extra hard to improve academic and other activities in the school.
Mr Gyimah-Ankoannah said the construction of a new classroom block had become important because of the growing student population.
He called for discipline in the school without which effective academic work could not be achieved.
The PTA chairman advised students against vices that could ruin their future.
In his report, the headmaster, Mr S. K. Fordjour, said academic work at the school had improved over the years, with 68 students qualifying to the university and many others to the polytechnics and the Colleges of Education, following the 2009 West Africa Senior High School Certificate Examination.
“The students are serious and we will continue to help them to develop, “ he said.
The headmaster also expressed satisfaction with female enrolment, saying this year, for instance, female admission stood at 214 while that of males was 190.
He urged parents to continue to send their female children to school to enable them to grow up to become useful citizens.
He commended the district assembly and the government for the construction of a two-storey girls dormitory facility for the school, which was nearing completion.
Mr Fordjour appealed for teachers accommodation on campus to help improve discipline on campus.
He also appealed to individuals and organisations to help stock the school’s library to enable students to have access to reading materials.
The headmaster said the school had banned the use of mobile phones by students on campus.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
WESTLEY SCHOOL PTA BUILDS BOYS DORMITORY (PAGE 11, DEC 30)
THE Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Wesley Senior High School at Bekwai in the Ashanti Region has undertaken a number of projects and planned new ones to boost teaching and learning in the school.
Among the completed projects is a boys dormitory block, while proposed projects include a two-storey classroom block and a dining hall complex.
At a PTA general meeting at the school at Bekwai, where a mini-bus was presented by the PTA Chairman, Mr R. H. Gyimah-Ankoannah, he said the association had also instituted a motivation scheme for teachers to supplement their salaries as a way of enticing them to put in their best.
He, therefore, urged teachers to work extra hard to improve academic and other activities in the school.
Mr Gyimah-Ankoannah said the construction of a new classroom block had become important because of the growing student population.
He called for discipline in the school without which effective academic work could not be achieved.
The PTA chairman advised students against vices that could ruin their future.
In his report, the headmaster, Mr S. K. Fordjour, said academic work at the school had improved over the years, with 68 students qualifying to the university and many others to the polytechnics and the Colleges of Education, following the 2009 West Africa Senior High School Certificate Examination.
“The students are serious and we will continue to help them to develop, “ he said.
The headmaster also expressed satisfaction with female enrolment, saying this year, for instance, female admission stood at 214 while that of males was 190.
He urged parents to continue to send their female children to school to enable them to grow up to become useful citizens.
He commended the district assembly and the government for the construction of a two-storey girls dormitory facility for the school, which was nearing completion.
Mr Fordjour appealed for teachers accommodation on campus to help improve discipline on campus.
He also appealed to individuals and organisations to help stock the school’s library to enable students to have access to reading materials.
The headmaster said the school had banned the use of mobile phones by students on campus.
Among the completed projects is a boys dormitory block, while proposed projects include a two-storey classroom block and a dining hall complex.
At a PTA general meeting at the school at Bekwai, where a mini-bus was presented by the PTA Chairman, Mr R. H. Gyimah-Ankoannah, he said the association had also instituted a motivation scheme for teachers to supplement their salaries as a way of enticing them to put in their best.
He, therefore, urged teachers to work extra hard to improve academic and other activities in the school.
Mr Gyimah-Ankoannah said the construction of a new classroom block had become important because of the growing student population.
He called for discipline in the school without which effective academic work could not be achieved.
The PTA chairman advised students against vices that could ruin their future.
In his report, the headmaster, Mr S. K. Fordjour, said academic work at the school had improved over the years, with 68 students qualifying to the university and many others to the polytechnics and the Colleges of Education, following the 2009 West Africa Senior High School Certificate Examination.
“The students are serious and we will continue to help them to develop, “ he said.
The headmaster also expressed satisfaction with female enrolment, saying this year, for instance, female admission stood at 214 while that of males was 190.
He urged parents to continue to send their female children to school to enable them to grow up to become useful citizens.
He commended the district assembly and the government for the construction of a two-storey girls dormitory facility for the school, which was nearing completion.
Mr Fordjour appealed for teachers accommodation on campus to help improve discipline on campus.
He also appealed to individuals and organisations to help stock the school’s library to enable students to have access to reading materials.
The headmaster said the school had banned the use of mobile phones by students on campus.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
RTU SET FIRE IN DRESSING ROOM ? (GRAPHC SPORTS, DEC 29, BACK PAGE)
KESSBEN F/C are set to report Real Tamale United (RTU) to the Premier League Board (PLB) and the FA for setting fire in their dressing room of the Anane Boateng Stadium at Abrankese during last Sunday’s Glo Premier League match.
The fire, allegedly set before the start of the game, kept burning under the tight guard of some men linked to RTU.
“It is amazing that in this 21st Century a premier league club can go to that level in the name of juju,” Frederick Acheampong, head of communications of Kessben FC, told the Graphic Sports yesterday.
“They used firewood and charcoal to set up the fire, which kept burning till the end of the game which they lost 0-2.
“In fact, there was smoke all over the inner area of the Anane Boateng Stadium, and breathing became difficult,” Mr Acheampong said.
According to him, this happened in the full glare of the match commissioner and stated that “Kessben have a good case to report the conduct of RTU to the authorities.”
He said this was a case that should not be allowed to die, stressing that if supporters of Kessben had reacted, it would have been a different story.
Mr Acheampong called on the PLB and the FA to be hard on indiscipline and other acts that could tarnish the image of the league.
RTU supporters were also said to have gone on rampage after the match and caused damage to property at the Stadium.
Mr Acheampong said the rampaging supporters caused damage to the glass windows at the stadium.
“It was hell and I think the FA must come in to ensure that the perpetrators are punished, “ the communications director said.
The 25,000 all seater stadium had put the club on a high pedestal and the stadium had become a fortress for the club this year winning five matches and losing just one of the six matches played there.
Mr Acheampong stated that people had to run helter skelter as the RTU supporters went berserk inside and outside the stadium.
Kessben FC, by last Sunday’s victory, maintained their pole position on the league table with three points ahead of closest challengers, Berekum Arsenal.
The fire, allegedly set before the start of the game, kept burning under the tight guard of some men linked to RTU.
“It is amazing that in this 21st Century a premier league club can go to that level in the name of juju,” Frederick Acheampong, head of communications of Kessben FC, told the Graphic Sports yesterday.
“They used firewood and charcoal to set up the fire, which kept burning till the end of the game which they lost 0-2.
“In fact, there was smoke all over the inner area of the Anane Boateng Stadium, and breathing became difficult,” Mr Acheampong said.
According to him, this happened in the full glare of the match commissioner and stated that “Kessben have a good case to report the conduct of RTU to the authorities.”
He said this was a case that should not be allowed to die, stressing that if supporters of Kessben had reacted, it would have been a different story.
Mr Acheampong called on the PLB and the FA to be hard on indiscipline and other acts that could tarnish the image of the league.
RTU supporters were also said to have gone on rampage after the match and caused damage to property at the Stadium.
Mr Acheampong said the rampaging supporters caused damage to the glass windows at the stadium.
“It was hell and I think the FA must come in to ensure that the perpetrators are punished, “ the communications director said.
The 25,000 all seater stadium had put the club on a high pedestal and the stadium had become a fortress for the club this year winning five matches and losing just one of the six matches played there.
Mr Acheampong stated that people had to run helter skelter as the RTU supporters went berserk inside and outside the stadium.
Kessben FC, by last Sunday’s victory, maintained their pole position on the league table with three points ahead of closest challengers, Berekum Arsenal.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR CHIEFTAINCY INSTITUTION (PAGE 3, DEC 29)
THE National House of Chiefs is to develop a code of ethics for the chieftaincy institution to guide chiefs in carrying out their traditional responsibilities.
The President of the house, Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Prof. J.S. Nabila, who made this known at the end-of-year meeting of the house in Kumasi, said the code would make the institution more acceptable to the people, since majority of them looked up to their chiefs for leadership.
He said transparency, probity and accountability at the traditional, regional and national levels of the institution would definitely make the institution gain much respect, both within and outside the country.
Naa Prof. Nabila mentioned the importance of chieftaincy in national development and called on the government to provide the needed support to enable the institution to play its role effectively for the benefit of the people.
He expressed concern over the inadequate budgetary allocation for the house and said unless that was addressed, the various houses of chiefs could not carry out their constitutional duties creditably.
He also touched on the lack of counsel for the judicial committees of the houses of chiefs which was retarding their adjudicating processes.
He said the house was going to participate fully in the upcoming review of the 1992 Constitution.
Consequently, it was to appoint its own review committee that would focus on issues that affected the institution.
Naa Prof. Nabila commended the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for supporting the house to come up with a Chieftaincy Bulletin, the first issue of which would come out at the end of December this year.
He stated that the leadership of the house was determined to chart a path that would lead the institution to progress and development.
The Wulugu Naba noted that if culture was well harnessed and incorporated into the development process, as demonstrated by the Asian giants and other European countries, it could be a good vehicle for achieving human development goals.
He said the notion that all traditional councils were endowed with resources was false and pointed out that many of the councils were facing serious financial difficulties that called for support from outside to enable them to deliver.
The President of the house, Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Prof. J.S. Nabila, who made this known at the end-of-year meeting of the house in Kumasi, said the code would make the institution more acceptable to the people, since majority of them looked up to their chiefs for leadership.
He said transparency, probity and accountability at the traditional, regional and national levels of the institution would definitely make the institution gain much respect, both within and outside the country.
Naa Prof. Nabila mentioned the importance of chieftaincy in national development and called on the government to provide the needed support to enable the institution to play its role effectively for the benefit of the people.
He expressed concern over the inadequate budgetary allocation for the house and said unless that was addressed, the various houses of chiefs could not carry out their constitutional duties creditably.
He also touched on the lack of counsel for the judicial committees of the houses of chiefs which was retarding their adjudicating processes.
He said the house was going to participate fully in the upcoming review of the 1992 Constitution.
Consequently, it was to appoint its own review committee that would focus on issues that affected the institution.
Naa Prof. Nabila commended the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for supporting the house to come up with a Chieftaincy Bulletin, the first issue of which would come out at the end of December this year.
He stated that the leadership of the house was determined to chart a path that would lead the institution to progress and development.
The Wulugu Naba noted that if culture was well harnessed and incorporated into the development process, as demonstrated by the Asian giants and other European countries, it could be a good vehicle for achieving human development goals.
He said the notion that all traditional councils were endowed with resources was false and pointed out that many of the councils were facing serious financial difficulties that called for support from outside to enable them to deliver.
Monday, December 28, 2009
NARROW WIN FOR KOTOKO (BACK PAGE, DEC 28)
Kumasi Asante Kotoko escaped another gloomy day by the skin of their teeth when midfielder Daniel Nii Adjei scored an injury time goal to give the Porcupine Warriors a narrow 1-0 victory over Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
With the clock reading barely a minute to go, Adjei capitalised on lack of concentration and over-elaboration by the visitors to thump home the match winner much to the relief of the home supporters.
Aduana, who had played so well even with 10 men after Wahab Adams was sent off in the 49th minbute for a second bookable offence, paid dearly for unnecessary delay tactics when they had barely a minute to earn a respectable draw.
However, midfielder Adjei profited from a stormy action to fire hoime a loose ball beyond the reach of impressive goalkeeper Stephen Abams.
While Kotoko will be happy earning the three maximum points, they would be the first to admit that the path towards ascendancy still appears tortuous.
Aduana, handled by former Kotoko trainer, Herbert Addo, cut out the supplies to the Kotoko attack as Baffour Gyan (later substituted), Kabiru Moro, Alex Asamoah and Stephen Manu were both mediocre and wayward in their overall performance.
Gyan, whose contribution fell below expectation, made a mess of a chance on the 30th minute before Aduana’s Kwame Frimpong wasted the best opportunity in the half on the 41st minute when goalkeeper Isaac Amoako, who was clearly beaten, clawed back to grab the striker’s weak shot.
Twice Kotoko appealed for a penalty but their pleas were ignored by referee Mohammed Awal.
However, it was all relief and joy for the home side as Kotoko players celebrated the victory while Aduana players were stuck on the turf for several minutes after the match.
With the clock reading barely a minute to go, Adjei capitalised on lack of concentration and over-elaboration by the visitors to thump home the match winner much to the relief of the home supporters.
Aduana, who had played so well even with 10 men after Wahab Adams was sent off in the 49th minbute for a second bookable offence, paid dearly for unnecessary delay tactics when they had barely a minute to earn a respectable draw.
However, midfielder Adjei profited from a stormy action to fire hoime a loose ball beyond the reach of impressive goalkeeper Stephen Abams.
While Kotoko will be happy earning the three maximum points, they would be the first to admit that the path towards ascendancy still appears tortuous.
Aduana, handled by former Kotoko trainer, Herbert Addo, cut out the supplies to the Kotoko attack as Baffour Gyan (later substituted), Kabiru Moro, Alex Asamoah and Stephen Manu were both mediocre and wayward in their overall performance.
Gyan, whose contribution fell below expectation, made a mess of a chance on the 30th minute before Aduana’s Kwame Frimpong wasted the best opportunity in the half on the 41st minute when goalkeeper Isaac Amoako, who was clearly beaten, clawed back to grab the striker’s weak shot.
Twice Kotoko appealed for a penalty but their pleas were ignored by referee Mohammed Awal.
However, it was all relief and joy for the home side as Kotoko players celebrated the victory while Aduana players were stuck on the turf for several minutes after the match.
HUNT FOR CHIEF OVER MURDER (1b, DEC 28)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE police in Kumasi have mounted a search for Nana Kwaku Nsiah, the Gyasehene of the Banmu Division of Asante, for allegedly conspiring with three others to murder a 28-year-old man.
The deceased, Kwabena Boadu, aka Father, was said to have been shot a number of times in the mid section and the neck in a bush near a cattle ranch at Adankwame in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in what is suspected to be a land-related incident.
According to the police, the incident occurred on December 18, 2009 and immediately thereafter, the chief and three other suspects went into hiding and all efforts to trace them had proved futile.
The other suspects are a son and a nephew of the chief and one other person described only as a family friend.
They were said to have carried out the killing on the instructions of the chief.
“We will make every effort to trace and bring them to justice,” DSP Kwaku Duah, the Suame Divisional Police Commander, told the Daily Graphic.
He appealed to the public to help trace the suspects.
According to the commander, a nephew of the deceased, Baba Sulemana, who was with him (deceased) during the incident, was also attacked but managed to escape.
Nana Nsiah, who was said to have been fomenting trouble in the area through the illegal sale of lands, was alleged to have had a quarrel with a brother of the deceased, Linford Owuo aka CD, the day before the murder.
The chief lodged a complaint with the police against CD but before the police could launch any investigation into the matter, CD’s brother was shot in cold blood.
DSP Duah said Boadu was ambushed near the cattle ranch and when he and his nephew reached there the assailants opened gunfire on them.
Some of the bullets hit Boadu but Sulemana escaped unhurt and later made a report to the police.
THE police in Kumasi have mounted a search for Nana Kwaku Nsiah, the Gyasehene of the Banmu Division of Asante, for allegedly conspiring with three others to murder a 28-year-old man.
The deceased, Kwabena Boadu, aka Father, was said to have been shot a number of times in the mid section and the neck in a bush near a cattle ranch at Adankwame in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in what is suspected to be a land-related incident.
According to the police, the incident occurred on December 18, 2009 and immediately thereafter, the chief and three other suspects went into hiding and all efforts to trace them had proved futile.
The other suspects are a son and a nephew of the chief and one other person described only as a family friend.
They were said to have carried out the killing on the instructions of the chief.
“We will make every effort to trace and bring them to justice,” DSP Kwaku Duah, the Suame Divisional Police Commander, told the Daily Graphic.
He appealed to the public to help trace the suspects.
According to the commander, a nephew of the deceased, Baba Sulemana, who was with him (deceased) during the incident, was also attacked but managed to escape.
Nana Nsiah, who was said to have been fomenting trouble in the area through the illegal sale of lands, was alleged to have had a quarrel with a brother of the deceased, Linford Owuo aka CD, the day before the murder.
The chief lodged a complaint with the police against CD but before the police could launch any investigation into the matter, CD’s brother was shot in cold blood.
DSP Duah said Boadu was ambushed near the cattle ranch and when he and his nephew reached there the assailants opened gunfire on them.
Some of the bullets hit Boadu but Sulemana escaped unhurt and later made a report to the police.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
BE TOUGH ON DRIVERS THIS XMAS — HAMMAH (PAGE 22, DEC 24)
THE Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hamah, has met stakeholders in the transport industry in Kumasi at the Kejetia Terminal to discuss how road accidents can be prevented during the Christmas festivities.
Those who attended the meeting included drivers unions, station masters, transport owners, officials of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) among others.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Hamah asked the police to be tough on drivers who refused to adhere to road safety regulations during the Yuletide.
He said some drivers would attempt to take advantage of the Christmas engage in negative acts such as speeding, using vehicles that are not roadworthy and overloading, but the police had a duty to stop such practices before they result in accidents.
Mr Hamah said apart from the loss of human lives, Ghana was losing an estimated $165 million annually through road accidents, and “we cannot allow this to continue”.
The minister noted that every single accident was preventable and, therefore, appealed to road users to be extra careful on the road.
He called for intensive education on road safety since that was one of the surest ways of avoiding accidents.
He stressed the need for vehicle owners to be wary of forcing their drivers to overwork without paying attention to the maintenance of the vehicles.
Mr Hamah stated that as the government worked hard to put more roads in the correct shape, it was the responsibility of road users, especially drivers, to be cautious when using the roads.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, said the country needed its people to work to ensure development and as such everything must be done to avoid accidents.
The Executive Director of NRSC, Mr Noble Appiah, said everyone was at risk where the issue of road accidents was concerned.
He, therefore, urged the drivers to take road safety education very seriously.
Those who attended the meeting included drivers unions, station masters, transport owners, officials of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) among others.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Hamah asked the police to be tough on drivers who refused to adhere to road safety regulations during the Yuletide.
He said some drivers would attempt to take advantage of the Christmas engage in negative acts such as speeding, using vehicles that are not roadworthy and overloading, but the police had a duty to stop such practices before they result in accidents.
Mr Hamah said apart from the loss of human lives, Ghana was losing an estimated $165 million annually through road accidents, and “we cannot allow this to continue”.
The minister noted that every single accident was preventable and, therefore, appealed to road users to be extra careful on the road.
He called for intensive education on road safety since that was one of the surest ways of avoiding accidents.
He stressed the need for vehicle owners to be wary of forcing their drivers to overwork without paying attention to the maintenance of the vehicles.
Mr Hamah stated that as the government worked hard to put more roads in the correct shape, it was the responsibility of road users, especially drivers, to be cautious when using the roads.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, said the country needed its people to work to ensure development and as such everything must be done to avoid accidents.
The Executive Director of NRSC, Mr Noble Appiah, said everyone was at risk where the issue of road accidents was concerned.
He, therefore, urged the drivers to take road safety education very seriously.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
KNUST, DEPUTY REGISTRAR CONVICTED OF CONTEMPT (SPREAD, DEC 23)
THE Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and its Deputy Registrar in charge of Legal and Welfare, Mr Richard Appiah-Kubi, have been convicted for contempt in a case in which two second-year Law students challenged their dismissal from the university for alleged examination malpractice.
The Kumasi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice G.H.K. Debrah, which convicted them, made a number of orders against the university and the deputy registrar which should be carried out within one week.
Among the orders were the payment of GH¢1,000 into government chest and the withdrawal of an advertisement on the dismissal of the students, Messrs Alfred Obeng Boateng and Ato Kwamena Sam Ghartey.
The court said the withdrawal of the advertisement would correct the impression that the students had been dismissed from the university.
Again, the court asked the KNUST and the deputy registrar to apologise to the bench and undertake not to repeat their behaviour again.
In 2007, the KNUST dismissed the two students for allegedly engaging in examination malpractice.
The students did not take kindly to their dismissal and sought redress at the court.
The court upheld their application and consequently declared their dismissal illegal.
However, the university refused to re-admit them to continue with their programmes of study and went ahead to place newspaper advertisements to the effect that the students remained dismissed, in spite of the court ruling.
Consequently, the aggrieved students filed an application for contempt against the KNUST and the deputy registrar, which was upheld by the court.
The Kumasi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice G.H.K. Debrah, which convicted them, made a number of orders against the university and the deputy registrar which should be carried out within one week.
Among the orders were the payment of GH¢1,000 into government chest and the withdrawal of an advertisement on the dismissal of the students, Messrs Alfred Obeng Boateng and Ato Kwamena Sam Ghartey.
The court said the withdrawal of the advertisement would correct the impression that the students had been dismissed from the university.
Again, the court asked the KNUST and the deputy registrar to apologise to the bench and undertake not to repeat their behaviour again.
In 2007, the KNUST dismissed the two students for allegedly engaging in examination malpractice.
The students did not take kindly to their dismissal and sought redress at the court.
The court upheld their application and consequently declared their dismissal illegal.
However, the university refused to re-admit them to continue with their programmes of study and went ahead to place newspaper advertisements to the effect that the students remained dismissed, in spite of the court ruling.
Consequently, the aggrieved students filed an application for contempt against the KNUST and the deputy registrar, which was upheld by the court.
MAMAPONGHENE UNDER FIRE TO PAY FINE (PAGE 31, DEC 23)
THE Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, has come under intense fire from the Asanteman Council and sentenced to pay a traditional fine of six sheep for disobeying the Asantehene.
Additionally, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has threatened to destool Daasebre Osei Bonsu, if he continues to show disrespect to the Golden Stool.
The Mamponghene was slapped with the fine and warning at the last Asanteman Council meeting for the year at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi last Monday, for refusing to heed the directives of Otumfuo in respect of a chieftaincy dispute at Jamasi, which is in the Mampong Traditional Area.
The Asanteman Council, which comprises paramount chiefs and other high-ranking chiefs in Ashanti and parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta regions, is the highest adjudicating body at Manhyia, with Otumfuo as the head.
In the Ashanti traditional system, the Mamponghene, who sits on the Silver Stool, is second-in-command to the Asantehene, who occupies the Golden Stool.
At the meeting at Manhyia, it was revealed that Otumfuo had sent his linguist with the Mpongonsuo (a traditional sword of the Otumfuo) to summon Daasebre Osei Bonsu and his divisional chiefs before him at the Manhyia Palace.
When the Mamponghene was called before the gathering to explain why he had refused to bring along his divisional chiefs, he explained that he had not heard from some of them.
Otumfuo took offence with the Manponghene for going against his (Otumfuo’s) instruction to bring his (Daasebre’s) divisional chiefs before him at the Manhyia Palace.
Besides, the Asantehene did not take kindly to Daasebre Osei Bonsu’s refusal to give due attention to his (Otumfuo’s) linguist whom he had sent to deliver the invitation to the Mamponghene at Mampong.
The Asantehene directed the Queen of Mampong to advise her Omanhene to change his behaviour before he (the Asantehene) acted.
The Asantehene said there were a lot of problems in the Mampong Traditional Area, stating that if those problems were revealed, the Omanhene would be in trouble.
However, Otumfuo said, he had decided to give the Mamponghene some time to change his behaviour.
He refuted allegations in certain quarters that he loved the Mamponghene so much that he (the Asantehene) could not point out his (Daasebre’s) mistakes to him.
He said he always looked for the progress of Asanteman, instead of condoning illegality, and warned chiefs who were using his name to sell land to desist from the practice before the axe fell on them one day.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu announced that he would be travelling to Nigeria this month at the invitation of the King of Yoruba to participate in his 80th birthday celebration.
He would also use his visit to join former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to launch the Otumfuo Charity Foundation in Nigeria.
Additionally, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has threatened to destool Daasebre Osei Bonsu, if he continues to show disrespect to the Golden Stool.
The Mamponghene was slapped with the fine and warning at the last Asanteman Council meeting for the year at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi last Monday, for refusing to heed the directives of Otumfuo in respect of a chieftaincy dispute at Jamasi, which is in the Mampong Traditional Area.
The Asanteman Council, which comprises paramount chiefs and other high-ranking chiefs in Ashanti and parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta regions, is the highest adjudicating body at Manhyia, with Otumfuo as the head.
In the Ashanti traditional system, the Mamponghene, who sits on the Silver Stool, is second-in-command to the Asantehene, who occupies the Golden Stool.
At the meeting at Manhyia, it was revealed that Otumfuo had sent his linguist with the Mpongonsuo (a traditional sword of the Otumfuo) to summon Daasebre Osei Bonsu and his divisional chiefs before him at the Manhyia Palace.
When the Mamponghene was called before the gathering to explain why he had refused to bring along his divisional chiefs, he explained that he had not heard from some of them.
Otumfuo took offence with the Manponghene for going against his (Otumfuo’s) instruction to bring his (Daasebre’s) divisional chiefs before him at the Manhyia Palace.
Besides, the Asantehene did not take kindly to Daasebre Osei Bonsu’s refusal to give due attention to his (Otumfuo’s) linguist whom he had sent to deliver the invitation to the Mamponghene at Mampong.
The Asantehene directed the Queen of Mampong to advise her Omanhene to change his behaviour before he (the Asantehene) acted.
The Asantehene said there were a lot of problems in the Mampong Traditional Area, stating that if those problems were revealed, the Omanhene would be in trouble.
However, Otumfuo said, he had decided to give the Mamponghene some time to change his behaviour.
He refuted allegations in certain quarters that he loved the Mamponghene so much that he (the Asantehene) could not point out his (Daasebre’s) mistakes to him.
He said he always looked for the progress of Asanteman, instead of condoning illegality, and warned chiefs who were using his name to sell land to desist from the practice before the axe fell on them one day.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu announced that he would be travelling to Nigeria this month at the invitation of the King of Yoruba to participate in his 80th birthday celebration.
He would also use his visit to join former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to launch the Otumfuo Charity Foundation in Nigeria.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
KOTOKO 'PAA NIE'? (GRAPHIC SPORTS, LEAD STORY, DEC 22)
AN alleged attempted resignation of coach Paa Kwesi Fabin just after Kumasi Asante Kotoko drew 1-1 with Sekondi Hasaacas at the Baba Yara Stadium in a Glo Premier league match last Sunday epitomised the messy situation in which the once-dreaded side find themselves.
Some of the suffering supporters have already started appealing to the Great King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to act to stop the mess before Kotoko sinks into oblivion.
The Graphic Sports learnt that management had to prevail on the coach to drop his decision to resign after supporters hurled insults at him for continuous non-performance.
One hugely disappointed supporter questioned in Twi, "Kotoko paa nie?", literary meaning, “is this Kotoko”?
It was a legitimate question that demands an immediate answer from a management which some of the supporters described as, perhaps, the worst ever in the history of the twice Africa champions.
It is amazing the way the club has become a shoddy outfit in a season in which they purchased some big names on the transfer market.
Ten matches into the league, Kotoko continue to languish in the bottom rungs of the league table, having won just two and drawn five times out of ten games, and the coach, it was alleged, suspected that some of his players were out to sabotage him.
Clearly, Kotoko are in a precarious state, and questions are being raised as to who to blame. Could it be traced to management, supporters, players or the coach? Perhaps some interesting events will unfold in the club in the coming days.
Many had argued the current management lacked the wherewithal to carry the team through these challenging times, but others think otherwise, blaming the situation on the players and the coach.
Uncharacteristic of the Porcupine Warriors, the current management had shielded themselves from media glare, and this may have multiplied their problems.
A match against Hasaacas of today needn’t be a much-feared encounter, but on Sunday Kotoko kept their supporters panting in the hot sun as they struggled to contain their opponents. Their moves broke down in dangerous situations as the Hasaacas defence easily clipped the ankles of the lethargic Kotoko attack.
Indeed, if Hasaacas’ Joseph Ato Bissah who had played phenomenally well had taken his injury time opportunity, the whole stadium would have turned a graveyard, and the consequences could have been very disastrous.
For the umpteenth time, coach Fabin changed his team, raising questions as to when he would get a first team. It was surprising how a raw player like Alidu Mohammed found a way into the starting line-up and demonstrated his ineptitude, roaming aimlessly in the game until he was substituted in the second half.
The coach had argued that he was not involved in the recruitment of players, and even then the team that many touted to be solid was got good after all.
Consequently he needed some time to put things right, but it appears it was taking far too long to carry his plans through, and the impatient cannot continue to wait any longer.
The coming days could see some developments that may make or break barriers in the fabulous club.
Some of the suffering supporters have already started appealing to the Great King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to act to stop the mess before Kotoko sinks into oblivion.
The Graphic Sports learnt that management had to prevail on the coach to drop his decision to resign after supporters hurled insults at him for continuous non-performance.
One hugely disappointed supporter questioned in Twi, "Kotoko paa nie?", literary meaning, “is this Kotoko”?
It was a legitimate question that demands an immediate answer from a management which some of the supporters described as, perhaps, the worst ever in the history of the twice Africa champions.
It is amazing the way the club has become a shoddy outfit in a season in which they purchased some big names on the transfer market.
Ten matches into the league, Kotoko continue to languish in the bottom rungs of the league table, having won just two and drawn five times out of ten games, and the coach, it was alleged, suspected that some of his players were out to sabotage him.
Clearly, Kotoko are in a precarious state, and questions are being raised as to who to blame. Could it be traced to management, supporters, players or the coach? Perhaps some interesting events will unfold in the club in the coming days.
Many had argued the current management lacked the wherewithal to carry the team through these challenging times, but others think otherwise, blaming the situation on the players and the coach.
Uncharacteristic of the Porcupine Warriors, the current management had shielded themselves from media glare, and this may have multiplied their problems.
A match against Hasaacas of today needn’t be a much-feared encounter, but on Sunday Kotoko kept their supporters panting in the hot sun as they struggled to contain their opponents. Their moves broke down in dangerous situations as the Hasaacas defence easily clipped the ankles of the lethargic Kotoko attack.
Indeed, if Hasaacas’ Joseph Ato Bissah who had played phenomenally well had taken his injury time opportunity, the whole stadium would have turned a graveyard, and the consequences could have been very disastrous.
For the umpteenth time, coach Fabin changed his team, raising questions as to when he would get a first team. It was surprising how a raw player like Alidu Mohammed found a way into the starting line-up and demonstrated his ineptitude, roaming aimlessly in the game until he was substituted in the second half.
The coach had argued that he was not involved in the recruitment of players, and even then the team that many touted to be solid was got good after all.
Consequently he needed some time to put things right, but it appears it was taking far too long to carry his plans through, and the impatient cannot continue to wait any longer.
The coming days could see some developments that may make or break barriers in the fabulous club.
BORDER PATROL UNIT TO BE ARMED (PAGE 47, DEC 22)
PERSONNEL of the border patrol unit of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) are to be armed to help check the increasing cross-border crimes in the country.
Consequently, the ministries of the Interior and Defence have been tasked to draw up modalities for the take-off of the system to ensure that those who will be involved do not misuse the power and weapons given them.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, who disclosed this at a meeting with officers and men of agencies under his ministry in Kumasi last Saturday, noted that quite often personnel of the border patrol unit had come under attack from criminals but could not defend themselves.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that arming them would put them in a better position to face the criminals along the country’s borders.
Mr Avoka, who was on an official tour of the region, called on the GIS to expedite action on the processing of documents and also treat visitors, who could be potential investors, with respect.
The minister stressed that the government was satisfied with the performance of the security agencies in the Ashanti Region with respect to fighting crime, and called for the strengthening of the police-military patrols to be able to deal effectively with armed robbery and related crimes.
He stated that the government was on top of the security situation in the country and that efforts were being made to tackle the pockets of disturbances in some of the areas.
He stated that even though no shoot-to-kill policy had been adopted, the police had every right to return fire when they came under attack from armed robbers and other criminals.
"And in the event if the suspected criminal who so engaged the police dies, the police cannot be blamed," he stressed, adding that "it is when armed robbery has not been brought to your doorsteps that you'll condemn the police when they kill robbers".
Mr Avoka emphasised that the decision by the police administration to suspend recruitment into the service was as a result of accommodation problems and added that the government was doing everything possible to bring some sanity into the accommodation situation.
He said personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) with the requisite qualification and discipline would be drafted for training in the police service and the other security agencies.
On the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Avoka said recent fire outbreaks in the country had informed the government about the need to resource the service "or we face doom as a country".
Consequently, the President has directed the Fire Service Council to present proposals on the procurement of equipment for immediate action to be taken on them.
He directed all government agencies to take steps to review the electrical wiring in their buildings to make sure that the structures were safe.
Mr Avoka described the GH¢60p daily feeding grant per prisoner as woefully inadequate and gave the assurance that the government would review it upwards.
He also touched on the law establishing the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and said the law would be amended to turn the organisation into a service organisation to enable it to enjoy a support similar to the Ghana Police Service.
Welcoming the minister, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah, mentioned inadequate office and residential accommodation, lack of communication and transport as some of the challenges facing the police in the region and called on the minister to help address them.
He said the police needed to expand their presence in Kumasi to move in tandem with the fast development of the metropolis.
He gave the assurance that the police-military patrols would be intensified to fight crime in the region.
Consequently, the ministries of the Interior and Defence have been tasked to draw up modalities for the take-off of the system to ensure that those who will be involved do not misuse the power and weapons given them.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, who disclosed this at a meeting with officers and men of agencies under his ministry in Kumasi last Saturday, noted that quite often personnel of the border patrol unit had come under attack from criminals but could not defend themselves.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that arming them would put them in a better position to face the criminals along the country’s borders.
Mr Avoka, who was on an official tour of the region, called on the GIS to expedite action on the processing of documents and also treat visitors, who could be potential investors, with respect.
The minister stressed that the government was satisfied with the performance of the security agencies in the Ashanti Region with respect to fighting crime, and called for the strengthening of the police-military patrols to be able to deal effectively with armed robbery and related crimes.
He stated that the government was on top of the security situation in the country and that efforts were being made to tackle the pockets of disturbances in some of the areas.
He stated that even though no shoot-to-kill policy had been adopted, the police had every right to return fire when they came under attack from armed robbers and other criminals.
"And in the event if the suspected criminal who so engaged the police dies, the police cannot be blamed," he stressed, adding that "it is when armed robbery has not been brought to your doorsteps that you'll condemn the police when they kill robbers".
Mr Avoka emphasised that the decision by the police administration to suspend recruitment into the service was as a result of accommodation problems and added that the government was doing everything possible to bring some sanity into the accommodation situation.
He said personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) with the requisite qualification and discipline would be drafted for training in the police service and the other security agencies.
On the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Avoka said recent fire outbreaks in the country had informed the government about the need to resource the service "or we face doom as a country".
Consequently, the President has directed the Fire Service Council to present proposals on the procurement of equipment for immediate action to be taken on them.
He directed all government agencies to take steps to review the electrical wiring in their buildings to make sure that the structures were safe.
Mr Avoka described the GH¢60p daily feeding grant per prisoner as woefully inadequate and gave the assurance that the government would review it upwards.
He also touched on the law establishing the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and said the law would be amended to turn the organisation into a service organisation to enable it to enjoy a support similar to the Ghana Police Service.
Welcoming the minister, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah, mentioned inadequate office and residential accommodation, lack of communication and transport as some of the challenges facing the police in the region and called on the minister to help address them.
He said the police needed to expand their presence in Kumasi to move in tandem with the fast development of the metropolis.
He gave the assurance that the police-military patrols would be intensified to fight crime in the region.
BORDER PATROL UNIT TO BE ARMED (PAGE 47, DEC 22)
PERSONNEL of the border patrol unit of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) are to be armed to help check the increasing cross-border crimes in the country.
Consequently, the ministries of the Interior and Defence have been tasked to draw up modalities for the take-off of the system to ensure that those who will be involved do not misuse the power and weapons given them.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, who disclosed this at a meeting with officers and men of agencies under his ministry in Kumasi last Saturday, noted that quite often personnel of the border patrol unit had come under attack from criminals but could not defend themselves.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that arming them would put them in a better position to face the criminals along the country’s borders.
Mr Avoka, who was on an official tour of the region, called on the GIS to expedite action on the processing of documents and also treat visitors, who could be potential investors, with respect.
The minister stressed that the government was satisfied with the performance of the security agencies in the Ashanti Region with respect to fighting crime, and called for the strengthening of the police-military patrols to be able to deal effectively with armed robbery and related crimes.
He stated that the government was on top of the security situation in the country and that efforts were being made to tackle the pockets of disturbances in some of the areas.
He stated that even though no shoot-to-kill policy had been adopted, the police had every right to return fire when they came under attack from armed robbers and other criminals.
"And in the event if the suspected criminal who so engaged the police dies, the police cannot be blamed," he stressed, adding that "it is when armed robbery has not been brought to your doorsteps that you'll condemn the police when they kill robbers".
Mr Avoka emphasised that the decision by the police administration to suspend recruitment into the service was as a result of accommodation problems and added that the government was doing everything possible to bring some sanity into the accommodation situation.
He said personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) with the requisite qualification and discipline would be drafted for training in the police service and the other security agencies.
On the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Avoka said recent fire outbreaks in the country had informed the government about the need to resource the service "or we face doom as a country".
Consequently, the President has directed the Fire Service Council to present proposals on the procurement of equipment for immediate action to be taken on them.
He directed all government agencies to take steps to review the electrical wiring in their buildings to make sure that the structures were safe.
Mr Avoka described the GH¢60p daily feeding grant per prisoner as woefully inadequate and gave the assurance that the government would review it upwards.
He also touched on the law establishing the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and said the law would be amended to turn the organisation into a service organisation to enable it to enjoy a support similar to the Ghana Police Service.
Welcoming the minister, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah, mentioned inadequate office and residential accommodation, lack of communication and transport as some of the challenges facing the police in the region and called on the minister to help address them.
He said the police needed to expand their presence in Kumasi to move in tandem with the fast development of the metropolis.
He gave the assurance that the police-military patrols would be intensified to fight crime in the region.
Consequently, the ministries of the Interior and Defence have been tasked to draw up modalities for the take-off of the system to ensure that those who will be involved do not misuse the power and weapons given them.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, who disclosed this at a meeting with officers and men of agencies under his ministry in Kumasi last Saturday, noted that quite often personnel of the border patrol unit had come under attack from criminals but could not defend themselves.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that arming them would put them in a better position to face the criminals along the country’s borders.
Mr Avoka, who was on an official tour of the region, called on the GIS to expedite action on the processing of documents and also treat visitors, who could be potential investors, with respect.
The minister stressed that the government was satisfied with the performance of the security agencies in the Ashanti Region with respect to fighting crime, and called for the strengthening of the police-military patrols to be able to deal effectively with armed robbery and related crimes.
He stated that the government was on top of the security situation in the country and that efforts were being made to tackle the pockets of disturbances in some of the areas.
He stated that even though no shoot-to-kill policy had been adopted, the police had every right to return fire when they came under attack from armed robbers and other criminals.
"And in the event if the suspected criminal who so engaged the police dies, the police cannot be blamed," he stressed, adding that "it is when armed robbery has not been brought to your doorsteps that you'll condemn the police when they kill robbers".
Mr Avoka emphasised that the decision by the police administration to suspend recruitment into the service was as a result of accommodation problems and added that the government was doing everything possible to bring some sanity into the accommodation situation.
He said personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) with the requisite qualification and discipline would be drafted for training in the police service and the other security agencies.
On the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Avoka said recent fire outbreaks in the country had informed the government about the need to resource the service "or we face doom as a country".
Consequently, the President has directed the Fire Service Council to present proposals on the procurement of equipment for immediate action to be taken on them.
He directed all government agencies to take steps to review the electrical wiring in their buildings to make sure that the structures were safe.
Mr Avoka described the GH¢60p daily feeding grant per prisoner as woefully inadequate and gave the assurance that the government would review it upwards.
He also touched on the law establishing the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and said the law would be amended to turn the organisation into a service organisation to enable it to enjoy a support similar to the Ghana Police Service.
Welcoming the minister, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah, mentioned inadequate office and residential accommodation, lack of communication and transport as some of the challenges facing the police in the region and called on the minister to help address them.
He said the police needed to expand their presence in Kumasi to move in tandem with the fast development of the metropolis.
He gave the assurance that the police-military patrols would be intensified to fight crime in the region.
PRISONERS IN LIMBO...Languish in condemnded cells for 24 years (1b, DEC 22)
THE growing population of prisoners on the death row who have been languishing in condemned cells, some for up to 24 years, has become a major problem for officials at the Kumasi Central Prison.
The plight of some of the convicts, some of whom have been in the prison between 10 and 24 years since they were sentenced to death by the law courts, came up last Saturday when the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, paid a familiarisation visit to the prison.
Fourteen of them have been condemned prisoners for years because since the inauguration of the 1992 Constitution, no President has signed any death warrant.
By the laws of the land, the death sentence passed by the courts can be carried out only when the Head of State signs the death warrant of the convict.
However, since the inauguration of the Fourth Republic, none of the Presidents we have had — Rawlings, Kufuor or Mills — has appended his signature for a death sentence to be carried out.
Some human rights campaigners have called for a repeal of the law on capital punishment.
Briefing the minister, the Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons, Mr Joseph Kwaw-Yankson, said the Kumasi Central Prison, which was established in 1901 by the colonial administration to admit 800 inmates, now had a population of 1.672.
The minister shook his head in disbelief when he was told that because of the congestion, inmates had to sleep in turns, some of them sometimes sleeping under beds.
Mr Kwaw-Yankson called for a system that would ensure the establishment of more prison settlement camps to ease the pressure on the main prisons.
He also expressed concern over the inadequate daily feeding grant of 60Gp per prisoner.
While the prison remained overcrowded, prison officers also faced serious accommodation problems and, according to the regional commander, 17 officers who had been posted to the region had not reported because of the problem of residential accommodation.
He further disclosed that his outfit had been served with an ejection notice by the landlord of a house which had been rented for 72 officers in Kumasi.
He indicated that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the six prisons in the region, officers were doing their best to make the best out of the situation.
He stated that the President’s Special Initiative on Distance Education which had been extended to the Kumasi Central Prison was being pursued with all seriousness.
Currently, the junior high and the senior high schools had 30 and 25 students, respectively, all of them studying towards the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2011.
The commander said efforts were underway to make the central prison an examination centre of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Kwaw-Yankson said Reverend Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom of Kumasi was financing a soap-making project at the central prison which had started yielding dividends for the prison.
Mr Avoka, who later addressed the prisoners, said the government was doing everything possible to decongest the country’s prisons.
He said the government would continue to encourage Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a means of addressing some cases as a way of decongesting the prisons.
The minister hinted of moves to bring on board community service in the country’s penal system.
The plight of some of the convicts, some of whom have been in the prison between 10 and 24 years since they were sentenced to death by the law courts, came up last Saturday when the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, paid a familiarisation visit to the prison.
Fourteen of them have been condemned prisoners for years because since the inauguration of the 1992 Constitution, no President has signed any death warrant.
By the laws of the land, the death sentence passed by the courts can be carried out only when the Head of State signs the death warrant of the convict.
However, since the inauguration of the Fourth Republic, none of the Presidents we have had — Rawlings, Kufuor or Mills — has appended his signature for a death sentence to be carried out.
Some human rights campaigners have called for a repeal of the law on capital punishment.
Briefing the minister, the Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons, Mr Joseph Kwaw-Yankson, said the Kumasi Central Prison, which was established in 1901 by the colonial administration to admit 800 inmates, now had a population of 1.672.
The minister shook his head in disbelief when he was told that because of the congestion, inmates had to sleep in turns, some of them sometimes sleeping under beds.
Mr Kwaw-Yankson called for a system that would ensure the establishment of more prison settlement camps to ease the pressure on the main prisons.
He also expressed concern over the inadequate daily feeding grant of 60Gp per prisoner.
While the prison remained overcrowded, prison officers also faced serious accommodation problems and, according to the regional commander, 17 officers who had been posted to the region had not reported because of the problem of residential accommodation.
He further disclosed that his outfit had been served with an ejection notice by the landlord of a house which had been rented for 72 officers in Kumasi.
He indicated that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the six prisons in the region, officers were doing their best to make the best out of the situation.
He stated that the President’s Special Initiative on Distance Education which had been extended to the Kumasi Central Prison was being pursued with all seriousness.
Currently, the junior high and the senior high schools had 30 and 25 students, respectively, all of them studying towards the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2011.
The commander said efforts were underway to make the central prison an examination centre of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Kwaw-Yankson said Reverend Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom of Kumasi was financing a soap-making project at the central prison which had started yielding dividends for the prison.
Mr Avoka, who later addressed the prisoners, said the government was doing everything possible to decongest the country’s prisons.
He said the government would continue to encourage Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a means of addressing some cases as a way of decongesting the prisons.
The minister hinted of moves to bring on board community service in the country’s penal system.
Monday, December 21, 2009
KOTOKO DROP POINTS (BACK PAGE, DEC 21)
Kumasi Asante Kotoko struggled for a 1-1 against a wishy-washy Sekondi Hasaacas in their Glo Premier League match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday, compelling the disappointed home fans to vent their spleen on beleaguered coach Paa Kwesi Fabin.
The fans besieged the entrance to the changing rooms after the match and rained insults on the coach for what they perceived to be poor selection and tactical deficiency.
Kotoko were in all sorts of trouble and were lucky to escape defeat after Hasaacas playmaker, Joseph Ato Bissah, who tormented the Kotoko defence with electric pace, wasted a good opportunity inside injury time.
Kotoko shot ahead in the 18th minute when Kabiru Moro profited from a Gideon Baah effort.
Referee Vivian Aggor stamped her authority on the game, flashing the yellow cards on a number of players as the game turned rough.
Hasaacas returned from recess full of fight and levelled up after 49 minutes when Emmanuel Ankobea found room inside the box to connect an Ato Bissah pass.
Ankobea came within inches of scoring again in the 52nd minute but was denied by Soulama Abdulai.
The fans besieged the entrance to the changing rooms after the match and rained insults on the coach for what they perceived to be poor selection and tactical deficiency.
Kotoko were in all sorts of trouble and were lucky to escape defeat after Hasaacas playmaker, Joseph Ato Bissah, who tormented the Kotoko defence with electric pace, wasted a good opportunity inside injury time.
Kotoko shot ahead in the 18th minute when Kabiru Moro profited from a Gideon Baah effort.
Referee Vivian Aggor stamped her authority on the game, flashing the yellow cards on a number of players as the game turned rough.
Hasaacas returned from recess full of fight and levelled up after 49 minutes when Emmanuel Ankobea found room inside the box to connect an Ato Bissah pass.
Ankobea came within inches of scoring again in the 52nd minute but was denied by Soulama Abdulai.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY TO BE READY BY NEXT JUNE (PAGE 14, DEC 19)
THE Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has given an assurance that the first-ever Urban Development Policy being developed for the country will be completed by the end of June 2010.
Mr Kwadwo Yeboah, National Co-ordinator of the Urban Development Policy, told the Daily Graphic after the opening of a sensitisation workshop on the policy in Kumasi last Wednesday that in spite of some initial hiccups, the ministry was determined to carry out the programme as scheduled.
The comprehensive and coherent urban development policy, when completed, will replace the various sector-related urban policies that had guided the country’s urban development over the years.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is undertaking the project in collaboration with other ministries, with financial support from the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) as the main sponsors, and the World Bank, while the Institute of Social Statistical and Economic Research (ISSER) are the consultants.
Participants at the Kumasi workshop were drawn from the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Ashanti and the Brong Ahafo regions.
Mr Yeboah said as a result of the multiplicity of urban policies for the various sectors of the country, urban development had not achieved much.
“It is, therefore, expected that something positive will come out of this new initiative,” he said.
Mr Yeboah said similar workshops had been organised in three other areas of the country to get the people understand what the policy meant to urban development.
He stated that as a result of the importance the ministry attached to the project, it had established an urban development unit within the policy directorate of the ministry in order to get the process going.
Addressing the workshop earlier, a Resource Person, Mr C.N.K. Boateng, said it was very important to include the local people in drafting development policies.
He said development planning concerned the people, and as such, they must be made to feel as being part of the whole process.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Isaac Osei, spoke against the re-zoning of parks in urban centres into residential areas, saying the practice defeated the very purpose of urban planning.
He, therefore, stressed the need for environmental considerations to be taken seriously in development planning.
Present was the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong, and the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Akwasi Oppong Ababio.
Mr Kwadwo Yeboah, National Co-ordinator of the Urban Development Policy, told the Daily Graphic after the opening of a sensitisation workshop on the policy in Kumasi last Wednesday that in spite of some initial hiccups, the ministry was determined to carry out the programme as scheduled.
The comprehensive and coherent urban development policy, when completed, will replace the various sector-related urban policies that had guided the country’s urban development over the years.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is undertaking the project in collaboration with other ministries, with financial support from the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) as the main sponsors, and the World Bank, while the Institute of Social Statistical and Economic Research (ISSER) are the consultants.
Participants at the Kumasi workshop were drawn from the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Ashanti and the Brong Ahafo regions.
Mr Yeboah said as a result of the multiplicity of urban policies for the various sectors of the country, urban development had not achieved much.
“It is, therefore, expected that something positive will come out of this new initiative,” he said.
Mr Yeboah said similar workshops had been organised in three other areas of the country to get the people understand what the policy meant to urban development.
He stated that as a result of the importance the ministry attached to the project, it had established an urban development unit within the policy directorate of the ministry in order to get the process going.
Addressing the workshop earlier, a Resource Person, Mr C.N.K. Boateng, said it was very important to include the local people in drafting development policies.
He said development planning concerned the people, and as such, they must be made to feel as being part of the whole process.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Isaac Osei, spoke against the re-zoning of parks in urban centres into residential areas, saying the practice defeated the very purpose of urban planning.
He, therefore, stressed the need for environmental considerations to be taken seriously in development planning.
Present was the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong, and the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Akwasi Oppong Ababio.
JOURNALISTS TOLD TO ABIDE BY CODE OF ETHICS (PAGE 19, DEC 19)
MINING companies have stated that they are not to blame for the poor conditions of mining communities, since the development of those communities is a function of the government.
In extricating the miners from blame, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Dr Toni Aublyn, argued that “we cannot be blamed in any way for the so-called under-development of the mining communities. That development must be orchestrated by the government and not mining companies.”
He defended the role of mining in national development and said in addition to honouring their tax obligations, some of the companies were engaged in various development programmes to better the lot of the communities in which they operate.
For instance, he said, Gold Fields had offered scholarships to more than 300,000 people as part of its social responsibilities to the communities.
He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after opening a national workshop on the establishment of a baseline data on social conflicts in mining communities, in Kumasi last Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Minerals Commission and attended by chiefs, representatives from the district assemblies, mining companies and civil society organisations, among others.
The purpose of the workshop was to bring the various stakeholders in the mining sector together to deliberate on and analyse useful information leading to the establishment of a database aimed at reducing social conflicts in mining areas.
Establishing baseline data on social conflict in mining communities had become inevitable looking at the largely sour past and present relationship between mining companies and communities at the front-line of operations.
Under the project, the Government of Ghana has received assistance from the World Bank, the Royal Netherlands Government, the United Kingdom Department of International Development, Agence Francaise de Development and the European Commission to implement a programme with an overall objective of assisting the improvement of natural resource and environmental governance in Ghana.
Dr Aublyn said it was important for the people in the mining communities to question how the taxes meant for the development of their communities were being applied instead of turning the heat on the communities.
“The communities should start demanding from the authorities what they have done with monies accruing from the use of their lands by the mining companies,” he said.
He said the mining companies had nothing against NGOs in the mining sector per se, but what worried the companies was the way some of the NGOs misrepresented facts with regard to mining.
“They must present the facts because we are all looking for the development of the nation,” he said.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Project Manager of SRC Consulting, Mr Adu-Nyarko Andorful, noted that disputes in mining communities arose mainly when local people were offered insufficient compensation, excluded from decision-making, and when they found their livelihoods threatened.
It was in that vein that the development of the baseline data was very important as it had the ability to address the conflicts.
In extricating the miners from blame, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Dr Toni Aublyn, argued that “we cannot be blamed in any way for the so-called under-development of the mining communities. That development must be orchestrated by the government and not mining companies.”
He defended the role of mining in national development and said in addition to honouring their tax obligations, some of the companies were engaged in various development programmes to better the lot of the communities in which they operate.
For instance, he said, Gold Fields had offered scholarships to more than 300,000 people as part of its social responsibilities to the communities.
He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after opening a national workshop on the establishment of a baseline data on social conflicts in mining communities, in Kumasi last Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Minerals Commission and attended by chiefs, representatives from the district assemblies, mining companies and civil society organisations, among others.
The purpose of the workshop was to bring the various stakeholders in the mining sector together to deliberate on and analyse useful information leading to the establishment of a database aimed at reducing social conflicts in mining areas.
Establishing baseline data on social conflict in mining communities had become inevitable looking at the largely sour past and present relationship between mining companies and communities at the front-line of operations.
Under the project, the Government of Ghana has received assistance from the World Bank, the Royal Netherlands Government, the United Kingdom Department of International Development, Agence Francaise de Development and the European Commission to implement a programme with an overall objective of assisting the improvement of natural resource and environmental governance in Ghana.
Dr Aublyn said it was important for the people in the mining communities to question how the taxes meant for the development of their communities were being applied instead of turning the heat on the communities.
“The communities should start demanding from the authorities what they have done with monies accruing from the use of their lands by the mining companies,” he said.
He said the mining companies had nothing against NGOs in the mining sector per se, but what worried the companies was the way some of the NGOs misrepresented facts with regard to mining.
“They must present the facts because we are all looking for the development of the nation,” he said.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Project Manager of SRC Consulting, Mr Adu-Nyarko Andorful, noted that disputes in mining communities arose mainly when local people were offered insufficient compensation, excluded from decision-making, and when they found their livelihoods threatened.
It was in that vein that the development of the baseline data was very important as it had the ability to address the conflicts.
DON'T BLAME MINING FIRMS FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT (PAGE 19, DEC 19)
MINING companies have stated that they are not to blame for the poor conditions of mining communities, since the development of those communities is a function of the government.
In extricating the miners from blame, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Dr Toni Aublyn, argued that “we cannot be blamed in any way for the so-called under-development of the mining communities. That development must be orchestrated by the government and not mining companies.”
He defended the role of mining in national development and said in addition to honouring their tax obligations, some of the companies were engaged in various development programmes to better the lot of the communities in which they operate.
For instance, he said, Gold Fields had offered scholarships to more than 300,000 people as part of its social responsibilities to the communities.
He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after opening a national workshop on the establishment of a baseline data on social conflicts in mining communities, in Kumasi last Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Minerals Commission and attended by chiefs, representatives from the district assemblies, mining companies and civil society organisations, among others.
The purpose of the workshop was to bring the various stakeholders in the mining sector together to deliberate on and analyse useful information leading to the establishment of a database aimed at reducing social conflicts in mining areas.
Establishing baseline data on social conflict in mining communities had become inevitable looking at the largely sour past and present relationship between mining companies and communities at the front-line of operations.
Under the project, the Government of Ghana has received assistance from the World Bank, the Royal Netherlands Government, the United Kingdom Department of International Development, Agence Francaise de Development and the European Commission to implement a programme with an overall objective of assisting the improvement of natural resource and environmental governance in Ghana.
Dr Aublyn said it was important for the people in the mining communities to question how the taxes meant for the development of their communities were being applied instead of turning the heat on the communities.
“The communities should start demanding from the authorities what they have done with monies accruing from the use of their lands by the mining companies,” he said.
He said the mining companies had nothing against NGOs in the mining sector per se, but what worried the companies was the way some of the NGOs misrepresented facts with regard to mining.
“They must present the facts because we are all looking for the development of the nation,” he said.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Project Manager of SRC Consulting, Mr Adu-Nyarko Andorful, noted that disputes in mining communities arose mainly when local people were offered insufficient compensation, excluded from decision-making, and when they found their livelihoods threatened.
It was in that vein that the development of the baseline data was very important as it had the ability to address the conflicts.
In extricating the miners from blame, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Dr Toni Aublyn, argued that “we cannot be blamed in any way for the so-called under-development of the mining communities. That development must be orchestrated by the government and not mining companies.”
He defended the role of mining in national development and said in addition to honouring their tax obligations, some of the companies were engaged in various development programmes to better the lot of the communities in which they operate.
For instance, he said, Gold Fields had offered scholarships to more than 300,000 people as part of its social responsibilities to the communities.
He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after opening a national workshop on the establishment of a baseline data on social conflicts in mining communities, in Kumasi last Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Minerals Commission and attended by chiefs, representatives from the district assemblies, mining companies and civil society organisations, among others.
The purpose of the workshop was to bring the various stakeholders in the mining sector together to deliberate on and analyse useful information leading to the establishment of a database aimed at reducing social conflicts in mining areas.
Establishing baseline data on social conflict in mining communities had become inevitable looking at the largely sour past and present relationship between mining companies and communities at the front-line of operations.
Under the project, the Government of Ghana has received assistance from the World Bank, the Royal Netherlands Government, the United Kingdom Department of International Development, Agence Francaise de Development and the European Commission to implement a programme with an overall objective of assisting the improvement of natural resource and environmental governance in Ghana.
Dr Aublyn said it was important for the people in the mining communities to question how the taxes meant for the development of their communities were being applied instead of turning the heat on the communities.
“The communities should start demanding from the authorities what they have done with monies accruing from the use of their lands by the mining companies,” he said.
He said the mining companies had nothing against NGOs in the mining sector per se, but what worried the companies was the way some of the NGOs misrepresented facts with regard to mining.
“They must present the facts because we are all looking for the development of the nation,” he said.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Project Manager of SRC Consulting, Mr Adu-Nyarko Andorful, noted that disputes in mining communities arose mainly when local people were offered insufficient compensation, excluded from decision-making, and when they found their livelihoods threatened.
It was in that vein that the development of the baseline data was very important as it had the ability to address the conflicts.
Friday, December 18, 2009
GHANA AIRFORCE TO DOANTE AIRCRAFT TO KNUST (PAGE 11, DEC 18)
THE Ghana Air Force (GAF) is to donate an aircraft to the Aerospace Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), to boost the training of students at the department.
Since its establishment a few years ago, the Aerospace Department, which trains pilots and aerospace engineers, has not had an aircraft of its own, relying solely on the GAF for aircraft to train its students.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Michael Sampson-Oje, who made this known at the presentation of a number of equipment to the Aerospace Department of KNUST, said the aircraft would be delivered to the university by the end of January, 2010.
The items, which were presented as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the GAF, included four desktop computers, four Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems and two printers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Air Vice Marshall Sampson-Oje expressed the hope that the items would go a long way to facilitate teaching and learning at the department.
He said the GAF would continue to collaborate with the KNUST to train more pilots and engineers for the nation and the international market.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K. K. Adarkwa, commended the GAF for its continued support to the university.
He said the university was ready to support the GAF in its research activities and to collaborate with industry in general for the benefit of the nation.
The Chair of the Aerospace Department of KNUST, Okofrobuor Dr Yaw Agyei II, who is also the Omanhene of the Mim Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region, gave the assurance that the department was committed to supplying the best materials to the GAF.
Since its establishment a few years ago, the Aerospace Department, which trains pilots and aerospace engineers, has not had an aircraft of its own, relying solely on the GAF for aircraft to train its students.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Michael Sampson-Oje, who made this known at the presentation of a number of equipment to the Aerospace Department of KNUST, said the aircraft would be delivered to the university by the end of January, 2010.
The items, which were presented as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the GAF, included four desktop computers, four Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems and two printers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Air Vice Marshall Sampson-Oje expressed the hope that the items would go a long way to facilitate teaching and learning at the department.
He said the GAF would continue to collaborate with the KNUST to train more pilots and engineers for the nation and the international market.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K. K. Adarkwa, commended the GAF for its continued support to the university.
He said the university was ready to support the GAF in its research activities and to collaborate with industry in general for the benefit of the nation.
The Chair of the Aerospace Department of KNUST, Okofrobuor Dr Yaw Agyei II, who is also the Omanhene of the Mim Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region, gave the assurance that the department was committed to supplying the best materials to the GAF.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
WORK EXTRA HARD FOR VICTORY IN 2012... Urges newly appointed NDC regional chairman (PAGE 16, DEC 17)
Mr Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the newly elected chairman of the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress, has urged the teeming supporters of the party to work extra hard for victory in the 2012 Election.
He said the task ahead was enormous and required a united action and hard work to consolidate the political power gained in the 2008 Election.
In a speech to thank the regional delegates for the honour done the newly appointed regional executive of the party, Mr Obimpeh, who was the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, stressed that he was prepared to work with those who contested the election but lost, to ensure that the party stayed focused and very united.
He said the NDC was determined to improve on its performance in the 2008 elections come 2012 and therefore urged members to close their ranks and work towards achieving the ultimate.
He expressed the optimism that more seats would be won for the party in the region, come the next election.
All the defeated candidates expressed their willingness to work in concert for the best interest of the party.
The former youth organiser, Mr Obimpeh, caused the big surprise at the Regional delegates congress of the party at Asante Mampong last Tuesday.
He swept past notable names to emerge the regional chairman of the party.
Mr Obimpeh polled 142 ballots to beat his closest challenger Mr Frank Osei Mensah, a former regional chairman, who polled 109 votes while Alhaji Mohammed Sannie came a distant third.
He succeeds Mr Ohene Agyekum who had been appointed Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
Mr Alex Sawyer Attivor was elected the vice chairman polling 119 votes to beat his closest challenger, Mohammed Sofo who had 113 votes.
Mr Joseph Yamin polled 113 votes to beat Mr Tei Larbi (102 votes) for the regional secretary position while the vice-secretary went to K. Tandoh.
Alhaji Sannie Abdulai won the regional organiser position unopposed with the deputy organiser going to Raymond Bawah.
Security was very tight at the congress, which was attended by some of the heavyweights in the party.
They included the National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei, the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, a presidential aspirant for the 2008 NDC race, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu among others.
Speaking at the congress, Mr Asiedu-Nketiah cautioned the party members against any form of divisions in the party.
He said the so-called Rawlings-Mills dichotomy was the creation of people who wanted to create divisions in the party.
According to him nothing like that existed in the party and that expressions of opinions on issues in the party could not amount to creating divisions.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah urged the party members to close their ranks and work towards victory in the 2012 elections.
In a related development, a Kumasi-based business executive who is also the Managing Director of Trade Link Agency, Mr Charles Bruce Appiah, has congratulated Mr Obimpeh on his election to his new position.
He described Mr Obimpeh as consistent and committed to the party.
In a telephone interview, he expressed optimism that with unity of purpose, perseverance and hard work, NDC would make a great impact and win more supporters to its fold.
He advised the new executives to eschew divisions and rancour which he believed could tear the party apart.
He said the task ahead was enormous and required a united action and hard work to consolidate the political power gained in the 2008 Election.
In a speech to thank the regional delegates for the honour done the newly appointed regional executive of the party, Mr Obimpeh, who was the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, stressed that he was prepared to work with those who contested the election but lost, to ensure that the party stayed focused and very united.
He said the NDC was determined to improve on its performance in the 2008 elections come 2012 and therefore urged members to close their ranks and work towards achieving the ultimate.
He expressed the optimism that more seats would be won for the party in the region, come the next election.
All the defeated candidates expressed their willingness to work in concert for the best interest of the party.
The former youth organiser, Mr Obimpeh, caused the big surprise at the Regional delegates congress of the party at Asante Mampong last Tuesday.
He swept past notable names to emerge the regional chairman of the party.
Mr Obimpeh polled 142 ballots to beat his closest challenger Mr Frank Osei Mensah, a former regional chairman, who polled 109 votes while Alhaji Mohammed Sannie came a distant third.
He succeeds Mr Ohene Agyekum who had been appointed Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
Mr Alex Sawyer Attivor was elected the vice chairman polling 119 votes to beat his closest challenger, Mohammed Sofo who had 113 votes.
Mr Joseph Yamin polled 113 votes to beat Mr Tei Larbi (102 votes) for the regional secretary position while the vice-secretary went to K. Tandoh.
Alhaji Sannie Abdulai won the regional organiser position unopposed with the deputy organiser going to Raymond Bawah.
Security was very tight at the congress, which was attended by some of the heavyweights in the party.
They included the National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei, the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, a presidential aspirant for the 2008 NDC race, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu among others.
Speaking at the congress, Mr Asiedu-Nketiah cautioned the party members against any form of divisions in the party.
He said the so-called Rawlings-Mills dichotomy was the creation of people who wanted to create divisions in the party.
According to him nothing like that existed in the party and that expressions of opinions on issues in the party could not amount to creating divisions.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah urged the party members to close their ranks and work towards victory in the 2012 elections.
In a related development, a Kumasi-based business executive who is also the Managing Director of Trade Link Agency, Mr Charles Bruce Appiah, has congratulated Mr Obimpeh on his election to his new position.
He described Mr Obimpeh as consistent and committed to the party.
In a telephone interview, he expressed optimism that with unity of purpose, perseverance and hard work, NDC would make a great impact and win more supporters to its fold.
He advised the new executives to eschew divisions and rancour which he believed could tear the party apart.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ONE KILLED AT NDC CONSTITUENCY CONGRESS (PAGE 16, DEC 16)
ONE person was killed by a stray bullet when the police fired warning shots at the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency delegates’ conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Effiduase in the Ashanti Region last Sunday.
The police said the deceased, Modereka Mamuda, 35, was hit in the midsection and the thigh when the police fired the warning shots to disperse a group of troublemakers at the conference.
The remains of the deceased, described as a member of the Effiduase Zongo branch of the NDC, have been deposited at the morgue of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pending autopsy.
In the heat of the disturbances, a police vehicle had its windscreens smashed.
Tension had been building up prior to the conference with a section of the party executives issuing a statement warning against the machinations of the constituency chairman, Alhaji Issah Adama, aka Malala, to retain his post.
Superintendent Alex Amenyo, the Divisional Police Commander at Effiduase, told the Daily Graphic that following the tension that had been building up to the conference, security was tightened at the congress centre.
He said it was decided that people who had no business with the polls would not be entertained at the polling centre at the Nyarko Sefa Hotel.
The police, therefore, ensured that only accredited persons were allowed into the centre.
Superintendent Amenyo said a group of party members decided to force their way into the hotel but the police tried to keep them at bay.
“They gave us a hell of trouble but we remained calm using minimum force to deal with them,” he said.
The divisional commander continued that at about 5:15p.m. when voting had ended and counting of ballots was about to begin the situation exploded.
According to him, the mob started throwing stones at the police and the police responded with the firing of warning shots, one of which hit the deceased.
The police said the deceased, Modereka Mamuda, 35, was hit in the midsection and the thigh when the police fired the warning shots to disperse a group of troublemakers at the conference.
The remains of the deceased, described as a member of the Effiduase Zongo branch of the NDC, have been deposited at the morgue of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pending autopsy.
In the heat of the disturbances, a police vehicle had its windscreens smashed.
Tension had been building up prior to the conference with a section of the party executives issuing a statement warning against the machinations of the constituency chairman, Alhaji Issah Adama, aka Malala, to retain his post.
Superintendent Alex Amenyo, the Divisional Police Commander at Effiduase, told the Daily Graphic that following the tension that had been building up to the conference, security was tightened at the congress centre.
He said it was decided that people who had no business with the polls would not be entertained at the polling centre at the Nyarko Sefa Hotel.
The police, therefore, ensured that only accredited persons were allowed into the centre.
Superintendent Amenyo said a group of party members decided to force their way into the hotel but the police tried to keep them at bay.
“They gave us a hell of trouble but we remained calm using minimum force to deal with them,” he said.
The divisional commander continued that at about 5:15p.m. when voting had ended and counting of ballots was about to begin the situation exploded.
According to him, the mob started throwing stones at the police and the police responded with the firing of warning shots, one of which hit the deceased.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
WORKSHOP ON MEDICINES HELD IN KUMASI (PAGE 20, DEC 15)
A THREE-DAY skills building workshop on the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) programme has ended in Kumasi.
Twenty participants drawn from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions attended the workshop.
MeTA is an alliance of partners working to improve access to medicines by increasing transparency and accountability in the health care marketplace.
For a start, the MeTA programme is being piloted in Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Jordan, Kargystan, Peru and the Philippines with the emphasis on making information about medicines publicly available, affordable and accessible to the poor.
The Kumasi workshop was facilitated by officials from the Ghana Health Service, Food and Drugs Board, Health Access Network and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
In an address read on his behalf by the Deputy Director of the Ghana Health Service in the Ashanti Region, Mrs Comfort Obeng-Agyekum, the Regional Director of GHS, Dr Alhaji Mohammed Bin Ibrahim, called for the government's involvement in the MeTA idea because of the inherent benefits of the programme.
The Co-ordinator of the Middle Zone MeTA Ghana and Executive Director of El-Mamun Centre, a health-based NGO in the Kumasi Metropolis, Mr Muhammad Mamun Jafar, urged the participants to put what they learnt into practice.
He said the programme was funded by the United Kingdom’s DFID and commended the organisation for its support.
Twenty participants drawn from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions attended the workshop.
MeTA is an alliance of partners working to improve access to medicines by increasing transparency and accountability in the health care marketplace.
For a start, the MeTA programme is being piloted in Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Jordan, Kargystan, Peru and the Philippines with the emphasis on making information about medicines publicly available, affordable and accessible to the poor.
The Kumasi workshop was facilitated by officials from the Ghana Health Service, Food and Drugs Board, Health Access Network and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
In an address read on his behalf by the Deputy Director of the Ghana Health Service in the Ashanti Region, Mrs Comfort Obeng-Agyekum, the Regional Director of GHS, Dr Alhaji Mohammed Bin Ibrahim, called for the government's involvement in the MeTA idea because of the inherent benefits of the programme.
The Co-ordinator of the Middle Zone MeTA Ghana and Executive Director of El-Mamun Centre, a health-based NGO in the Kumasi Metropolis, Mr Muhammad Mamun Jafar, urged the participants to put what they learnt into practice.
He said the programme was funded by the United Kingdom’s DFID and commended the organisation for its support.
Monday, December 14, 2009
OLY HOLD FAISAL (BACK PAGE, DEC 14)
KUMASI King Faisal continued their poor form after the acrimonious departure of coach Isaac ‘Opeele’ Boateng, playing a 1-1 draw against Accra Great Olympics at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
The visitors were in fine shape, especially in the second half, sweeping the ball off Faisal and initiating brilliant attacks, but kept losing the ball in firing range.
It looked ominously familiar as Faisal hardly strung their passes well, allowing Olympics to dominate the early minutes.
It appeared the deadlock could be broken anytime, and it came after 22 minutes when Ronald Bortey powered Olympics into the lead with a clinical free kick from just outside the box.
The sparse crowd was then treated to a tough battle, with the action concentrated in the middle where Faisal appeared on top.
Hamza Mohammed in the Faisal middle combined skills with steel to push the ball to his attack but they were found wanting.
Faisal, however, managed to even the score on the 36th minute when defender Kwadwo Boateng powered a cross from the left which was connected by Emmanuel Nsakie Odoi.
Brilliant saves from Olympics keeper Ben Mensah and intelligent defensive play by Ernest Kportsu, Patrick Gyamfi and Kwame Ameju kept Faisal at bay.
The visitors were in fine shape, especially in the second half, sweeping the ball off Faisal and initiating brilliant attacks, but kept losing the ball in firing range.
It looked ominously familiar as Faisal hardly strung their passes well, allowing Olympics to dominate the early minutes.
It appeared the deadlock could be broken anytime, and it came after 22 minutes when Ronald Bortey powered Olympics into the lead with a clinical free kick from just outside the box.
The sparse crowd was then treated to a tough battle, with the action concentrated in the middle where Faisal appeared on top.
Hamza Mohammed in the Faisal middle combined skills with steel to push the ball to his attack but they were found wanting.
Faisal, however, managed to even the score on the 36th minute when defender Kwadwo Boateng powered a cross from the left which was connected by Emmanuel Nsakie Odoi.
Brilliant saves from Olympics keeper Ben Mensah and intelligent defensive play by Ernest Kportsu, Patrick Gyamfi and Kwame Ameju kept Faisal at bay.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
YAMOA-PONKOH RESCINDS DECISION (PAGE 14, DEC 12)
THE Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Afrifa Yamoa-Ponkoh, has rescinded his decision to contest for the position of regional organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“I have withdrawn from the race and will not contest for any position in the party now,” he told the Daily Graphic last Thursday.
He said he had carefully weighed the options and arrived at the conclusion that his new position would not allow him to operate as a party organiser.
According to him, some party leaders and senior civil servants had advised him against contesting the position since it would conflict with that of the NHIA.
“There was reason in their advice and I think the best decision to take is to pull out of the race,” he said.
In the Daily Graphic publication of December 10, 2009, Mr Yamoa-Ponkoh formally announced his decision to contest for the position of regional organiser.
He explained he was gunning for the position with the view to spreading the support base of the party in the region, and added that his new position would not conflict with the party’s position.
“I have withdrawn from the race and will not contest for any position in the party now,” he told the Daily Graphic last Thursday.
He said he had carefully weighed the options and arrived at the conclusion that his new position would not allow him to operate as a party organiser.
According to him, some party leaders and senior civil servants had advised him against contesting the position since it would conflict with that of the NHIA.
“There was reason in their advice and I think the best decision to take is to pull out of the race,” he said.
In the Daily Graphic publication of December 10, 2009, Mr Yamoa-Ponkoh formally announced his decision to contest for the position of regional organiser.
He explained he was gunning for the position with the view to spreading the support base of the party in the region, and added that his new position would not conflict with the party’s position.
'YES, CHECK MISUSE OF RELIGIOUS TITLES' (DEC 12, PAGE 3)
THE General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, and the Administrator of the Maranatha Evangelistic Ministries in Kumasi, Rev Nicholas Awuah-Sarpong, have endorsed the call for a check on the growing misuse of academic and religious titles.
They, however, said the call, made by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Kwesi Yankah, could only be left to the conscience of those charlatans, since the country had not yet developed any regulatory framework to check the misuse of religious and academic titles by pastors.
Expressing his view on the issue, Rev Dr Deegbe said although the 1992 Constitution guaranteed freedom of worship, there was no regulation to stop pastors from making false claims to religious and academic titles.
He said the only way out was for the public to be discerning enough and shun men of God who cloaked themselves in "vanities of religious titles" to attract a large following and deceive them.
He said titles and credentials did not make one a true man of God, adding that that honorific used by "charlatans" was just a mere bluff and only used as a false representation to deceive unsuspecting people.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Rev Dr Deegbe said it was unfortunate that "Ghanaians are fast copying our Nigerian brothers in some of these vanities of religious titles".
His comments followed a publication in the Wednesday, December 9, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic in which Prof Yankah made scathing remarks about the misuse of academic and religious titles by people he described as "impostors and charlatans".
Agreeing with the pro vice-chancellor’s assertion, Rev Dr Deegbe described the phenomenon as "very ridiculous and laughable".
He observed that some of the people who claimed to be ‘Rev Drs’ had not even gone through basic education, while others were totally illiterate, but because they could speak the vernacular fluently, people misconstrued them to be lettered.
He said there were all kinds of pastoral schools operating in the country which conferred various degrees on people claiming to be men of God.
He cited one school which had posters all around town inviting pastors to undertake a 16-week course for the award of a doctorate degree.
He said in these days when everything had become commercial, some of the pastoral schools even rented academic gowns from some public universities, as well as their campuses, to organise graduation ceremonies, thereby lending illegitimate credence to the degrees that they awarded.
He, therefore, urged university authorities to critically check the background of any religious school which might want to rent their academic gowns and campuses for graduation ceremonies.
Rev Dr Deegbe said the problem was also due to the lack of a regulatory framework to guide the use of such titles, indicating that although the Constitution guaranteed freedom of worship, there was no regulation on the use of religious titles.
He said members of the CCG, for instance, had their own internal procedures and processes for conferring religious titles, adding, however, that as a matter of policy, the council did not interfere in the internal management of members, except to give advice in the event of breaches of such procedures.
He said as a result of the absence of a regulatory framework, it was very difficult to weed out the quacks from the system, just as pertained in the journalism profession which embraced all shades of characters, regardless of their professional qualification, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Asked about how he felt when he, as an academic, was equated with a non-academic by virtue of using the same title "Rev Dr", the CCG General Secretary said, "Let’s leave it for the public to judge who is the Rev Dr by achievement."
For his part, Rev Awuah-Sarpong blamed the problem on church leaders with no conscience but who would want to create a myth around themselves to attract large congregations to their churches overnight.
“Some church leaders want to stand out clear among the rest and they believe that the best way to do this is to confer such titles on themselves,” he said.
“In real Christian principles, such practice is not good and it is time we in leadership positions in the Christian community stood up to speak against it,” he said.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Rev Awuah-Sarpong said it was a fact that church leaders in the country who carried academic and big religious titles were held in high esteem, no matter how they got those titles.
Kumasi has a good number of such pastors who are carrying various academic and religious titles.
Some of the titles are Rev Dr, Rev Dr Dr, Bishop, Apostle Bishop, Bishop Prophet, Prophet Dr, among others.
Most of the leaders carrying the titles are found in the charismatic churches, especially “the founder and leader” type of churches. The leaders founded the churches and owe everything in them.
Rev Awuah-Sarpong said there was nothing wrong with titles that were earned or conferred on individuals by recognised institutions.
“The problem lies with pastors who confer such titles on themselves,” he added.
They, however, said the call, made by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Kwesi Yankah, could only be left to the conscience of those charlatans, since the country had not yet developed any regulatory framework to check the misuse of religious and academic titles by pastors.
Expressing his view on the issue, Rev Dr Deegbe said although the 1992 Constitution guaranteed freedom of worship, there was no regulation to stop pastors from making false claims to religious and academic titles.
He said the only way out was for the public to be discerning enough and shun men of God who cloaked themselves in "vanities of religious titles" to attract a large following and deceive them.
He said titles and credentials did not make one a true man of God, adding that that honorific used by "charlatans" was just a mere bluff and only used as a false representation to deceive unsuspecting people.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Rev Dr Deegbe said it was unfortunate that "Ghanaians are fast copying our Nigerian brothers in some of these vanities of religious titles".
His comments followed a publication in the Wednesday, December 9, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic in which Prof Yankah made scathing remarks about the misuse of academic and religious titles by people he described as "impostors and charlatans".
Agreeing with the pro vice-chancellor’s assertion, Rev Dr Deegbe described the phenomenon as "very ridiculous and laughable".
He observed that some of the people who claimed to be ‘Rev Drs’ had not even gone through basic education, while others were totally illiterate, but because they could speak the vernacular fluently, people misconstrued them to be lettered.
He said there were all kinds of pastoral schools operating in the country which conferred various degrees on people claiming to be men of God.
He cited one school which had posters all around town inviting pastors to undertake a 16-week course for the award of a doctorate degree.
He said in these days when everything had become commercial, some of the pastoral schools even rented academic gowns from some public universities, as well as their campuses, to organise graduation ceremonies, thereby lending illegitimate credence to the degrees that they awarded.
He, therefore, urged university authorities to critically check the background of any religious school which might want to rent their academic gowns and campuses for graduation ceremonies.
Rev Dr Deegbe said the problem was also due to the lack of a regulatory framework to guide the use of such titles, indicating that although the Constitution guaranteed freedom of worship, there was no regulation on the use of religious titles.
He said members of the CCG, for instance, had their own internal procedures and processes for conferring religious titles, adding, however, that as a matter of policy, the council did not interfere in the internal management of members, except to give advice in the event of breaches of such procedures.
He said as a result of the absence of a regulatory framework, it was very difficult to weed out the quacks from the system, just as pertained in the journalism profession which embraced all shades of characters, regardless of their professional qualification, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Asked about how he felt when he, as an academic, was equated with a non-academic by virtue of using the same title "Rev Dr", the CCG General Secretary said, "Let’s leave it for the public to judge who is the Rev Dr by achievement."
For his part, Rev Awuah-Sarpong blamed the problem on church leaders with no conscience but who would want to create a myth around themselves to attract large congregations to their churches overnight.
“Some church leaders want to stand out clear among the rest and they believe that the best way to do this is to confer such titles on themselves,” he said.
“In real Christian principles, such practice is not good and it is time we in leadership positions in the Christian community stood up to speak against it,” he said.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Rev Awuah-Sarpong said it was a fact that church leaders in the country who carried academic and big religious titles were held in high esteem, no matter how they got those titles.
Kumasi has a good number of such pastors who are carrying various academic and religious titles.
Some of the titles are Rev Dr, Rev Dr Dr, Bishop, Apostle Bishop, Bishop Prophet, Prophet Dr, among others.
Most of the leaders carrying the titles are found in the charismatic churches, especially “the founder and leader” type of churches. The leaders founded the churches and owe everything in them.
Rev Awuah-Sarpong said there was nothing wrong with titles that were earned or conferred on individuals by recognised institutions.
“The problem lies with pastors who confer such titles on themselves,” he added.
Friday, December 11, 2009
COURT ORDERS SEIZURE OF HOUSE (PAGE 35, MIRROR, DEC 12)
From Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Circuit Court has ordered that a house built by an accounts officer of the Ghana Post Company in Kumasi with stolen money from his employers be taken away from him and handed over to the company.
Mr Adjei Manu, an accounts officer stationed in Kumasi, had told the court presided over by Mr Adjei Frimpong that he used the money to build a house in his hometown.
The officer was in the dock for embezzling GH¢87,000 belonging to the company, a charge to which he pleaded not guilty.
He explained that he did not embezzle the money but only used it to build the house.
However, the prosecution proved its case against the accused and in the end he was pronounced guilty.
Manu was consequently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour while the building in question was handed over to the company.
The judge said the criminal code prohibits anyone from benefiting from a crime, and that the company had the legal right to take possession of the building.
The prosecution told the court that following audit investigations into the operations of the Kumasi office of the company, it was detected that the amount in question was missing.
Manu was found to have embezzled the money and as a result, a report was made to the police, leading to his arrest. He confessed his crime and said he had used the money to build the house in his hometown.
After investigations, he was arraigned before the court and sentenced.
THE Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Circuit Court has ordered that a house built by an accounts officer of the Ghana Post Company in Kumasi with stolen money from his employers be taken away from him and handed over to the company.
Mr Adjei Manu, an accounts officer stationed in Kumasi, had told the court presided over by Mr Adjei Frimpong that he used the money to build a house in his hometown.
The officer was in the dock for embezzling GH¢87,000 belonging to the company, a charge to which he pleaded not guilty.
He explained that he did not embezzle the money but only used it to build the house.
However, the prosecution proved its case against the accused and in the end he was pronounced guilty.
Manu was consequently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour while the building in question was handed over to the company.
The judge said the criminal code prohibits anyone from benefiting from a crime, and that the company had the legal right to take possession of the building.
The prosecution told the court that following audit investigations into the operations of the Kumasi office of the company, it was detected that the amount in question was missing.
Manu was found to have embezzled the money and as a result, a report was made to the police, leading to his arrest. He confessed his crime and said he had used the money to build the house in his hometown.
After investigations, he was arraigned before the court and sentenced.
ZOOMLION CALLS FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION (PAGE 29, DEC 11)
Zoomlion, a waste management company, has called for community participation in the nationwide mosquito control programme being undertaken by the company, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Health, to ensure the success of the national exercise.
It noted that the practice where mosquito-prone areas were sprayed by the company’s spraying gangs, only for people to return within days to dump refuse again, was a disincentive to the success of the programme.
The nationwide mosquito control programme had the overall goal of reducing the incidence of malaria in the country.
The Ashanti Regional Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion, Mr Le-Roy Gyimah-Boadi, told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi that such an exercise demanded the participation of all the people in order to achieve the desired results.
He noted that mosquitoes were a menace that continued to create not only health, but also economic problems for the people, as thousands of people continued to report daily at the health institutions with malaria, adding that that was why Zoomlion was doing everything possible to ensure that the very source of mosquito breeding was attacked.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi said 656 people, made up of both sexes, had been recruited and trained to handle mosquito control in the region using various approaches.
They had been grouped into gangs and were operating in the sub-metropolitan areas and, the municipal and district assemblies.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi said currently, the spraying gangs were doing source reduction and source modification in the communities across the region.
Source reduction involve eliminating the source of breeding of the mosquitoes, while source modification is the changing of the original breeding grounds.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi further indicated that his outfit was also spraying public toilets, refuse dumps and other areas identified by environmental officers in the sub-metros and the assemblies.
He stated that Zoomlion had acquired a powerful insecticide for larvaeciding (killing of mosquito larvae), and what was more refreshing was that the insecticide was injurious to only mosquitoes.
The officer commended the district assemblies for supporting the programme with public education.
He also expressed hope that the programme would achieve significant success by the end of this year.
It noted that the practice where mosquito-prone areas were sprayed by the company’s spraying gangs, only for people to return within days to dump refuse again, was a disincentive to the success of the programme.
The nationwide mosquito control programme had the overall goal of reducing the incidence of malaria in the country.
The Ashanti Regional Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion, Mr Le-Roy Gyimah-Boadi, told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi that such an exercise demanded the participation of all the people in order to achieve the desired results.
He noted that mosquitoes were a menace that continued to create not only health, but also economic problems for the people, as thousands of people continued to report daily at the health institutions with malaria, adding that that was why Zoomlion was doing everything possible to ensure that the very source of mosquito breeding was attacked.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi said 656 people, made up of both sexes, had been recruited and trained to handle mosquito control in the region using various approaches.
They had been grouped into gangs and were operating in the sub-metropolitan areas and, the municipal and district assemblies.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi said currently, the spraying gangs were doing source reduction and source modification in the communities across the region.
Source reduction involve eliminating the source of breeding of the mosquitoes, while source modification is the changing of the original breeding grounds.
Mr Gyimah-Boadi further indicated that his outfit was also spraying public toilets, refuse dumps and other areas identified by environmental officers in the sub-metros and the assemblies.
He stated that Zoomlion had acquired a powerful insecticide for larvaeciding (killing of mosquito larvae), and what was more refreshing was that the insecticide was injurious to only mosquitoes.
The officer commended the district assemblies for supporting the programme with public education.
He also expressed hope that the programme would achieve significant success by the end of this year.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
'GHANAIAN BUSINESSES WILL SEE MORE GROWTH IN 2010' (PAGE 47, DEC 10)
MR Amit Agrawal, the Country Head of Olam Ghana Limited, a leading cocoa buying company and leader in the packaged food business, has predicted an appreciable growth in the Ghanaian business environment in 2010.
He said the stability achieved in the economy, backed by other favourable economic indicators, pointed to Ghana growing its business environment next year.
Mr Agrawal was speaking with the Daily Graphic at a business development dinner organised by the company for distributors of its packaged foods from the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Northern regions in Kumasi.
The occasion was to take a retrospective look at business activities for the year and chart a path for further progress in 2010.
Mr Agrawal said the company was taking advantage of the economic climate to build a world-class consumer business in the country.
"Ghana deserves the best and this is what OLAM is doing to meet the needs of the people,” he said.
He said the company, which also dealt in cashew, shea-nut and cotton, was well alive to its responsibilities and would never turn back.
The country head commended the distributors for their hard work, which enabled the company to see a significant growth in the business for the year and expressed the hope that they would continue to work hard in the coming years.
He said the stability achieved in the economy, backed by other favourable economic indicators, pointed to Ghana growing its business environment next year.
Mr Agrawal was speaking with the Daily Graphic at a business development dinner organised by the company for distributors of its packaged foods from the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Northern regions in Kumasi.
The occasion was to take a retrospective look at business activities for the year and chart a path for further progress in 2010.
Mr Agrawal said the company was taking advantage of the economic climate to build a world-class consumer business in the country.
"Ghana deserves the best and this is what OLAM is doing to meet the needs of the people,” he said.
He said the company, which also dealt in cashew, shea-nut and cotton, was well alive to its responsibilities and would never turn back.
The country head commended the distributors for their hard work, which enabled the company to see a significant growth in the business for the year and expressed the hope that they would continue to work hard in the coming years.
KESSBEN OBTAINS MASTER OF BUSINESS DEGREE (PAGE 47, DEC 10)
MR Stephen Boateng, better known as Mr Kwabena Kesse or Kessben, was among the 410 people from the School of Graduate Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST, Kumasi who graduated with masters and doctorate degrees.
In a country where not many people with a wide range of business concerns attached any importance to furthering their education, Mr Kesse, who is the Managing Director of the Kessben Group of Companies, saw the need to move another step higher in education by staying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance.
He holds a first class honours degree in Economics and Law from the same university.
According to him, education was very important in every legitimate activity in this era of globalisation.
Addressing the congregation, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa, commended the graduands for working hard to come out successfully.
He said because of the university's well-placed emphasis on postgraduate studies, it was seeing a gradual increase in the number of postgraduate students and more specifically those completing their studies within the stipulated period.
In a country where not many people with a wide range of business concerns attached any importance to furthering their education, Mr Kesse, who is the Managing Director of the Kessben Group of Companies, saw the need to move another step higher in education by staying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance.
He holds a first class honours degree in Economics and Law from the same university.
According to him, education was very important in every legitimate activity in this era of globalisation.
Addressing the congregation, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa, commended the graduands for working hard to come out successfully.
He said because of the university's well-placed emphasis on postgraduate studies, it was seeing a gradual increase in the number of postgraduate students and more specifically those completing their studies within the stipulated period.
YAMOAH-PONKO TO CONTEST NDC POST IN ASHANTI (PAGE 16, DEC 10)
THE Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Afrifa Yamoa-Ponko, has filed his papers to contest for the position of Ashanti Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with a promise to help the party win at least 40 per cent of the votes in the region in the 2012 elections.
“Everybody, including opposition NPP members, knows Yamoa-Ponko and what he can do and I promise not to fail my party if elected,” he confidently told the Daily Graphic.
He pointed out that the NDC did not deserve the votes (between 25 per cent and 30 per cent) it had in previous elections in the region but stressed that improving the party’s performance demanded quality leadership.
He said he was coming on board, ready to contribute positively in building a formidable party in Ashanti where the NDC had been finding it difficult to break the NPP monopoly.
According to him, the NDC needed a person with excellent organisational abilities to win more people into it, adding, “And this is where I stand tall.”
“My ability to organise has never been in doubt and I can assure delegates and, indeed, all party members that I will live up to the task when elected,” he said.
He stated that he was even aware that some NPP elements who were afraid of his organisational capabilities were working against his election but said he trusted the delegates to make the right choice on election day.
He indicated that his association with the NDC had informed him that the party was the best choice for the nation in any future elections.
Mr Yamoa-Ponko, who was a key member of the Prof. Mills campaign team in the 2008 elections, said he would work to ensure that he reached even the remotest part of the region to sell the party.
Asked whether his position at the NHIA would not slow down his duty as regional organiser, Mr Yamoa-Ponko answered in the negative, saying it was even an opportunity for him to get to as many people as possible, especially those at the grass-roots.
“Everybody, including opposition NPP members, knows Yamoa-Ponko and what he can do and I promise not to fail my party if elected,” he confidently told the Daily Graphic.
He pointed out that the NDC did not deserve the votes (between 25 per cent and 30 per cent) it had in previous elections in the region but stressed that improving the party’s performance demanded quality leadership.
He said he was coming on board, ready to contribute positively in building a formidable party in Ashanti where the NDC had been finding it difficult to break the NPP monopoly.
According to him, the NDC needed a person with excellent organisational abilities to win more people into it, adding, “And this is where I stand tall.”
“My ability to organise has never been in doubt and I can assure delegates and, indeed, all party members that I will live up to the task when elected,” he said.
He stated that he was even aware that some NPP elements who were afraid of his organisational capabilities were working against his election but said he trusted the delegates to make the right choice on election day.
He indicated that his association with the NDC had informed him that the party was the best choice for the nation in any future elections.
Mr Yamoa-Ponko, who was a key member of the Prof. Mills campaign team in the 2008 elections, said he would work to ensure that he reached even the remotest part of the region to sell the party.
Asked whether his position at the NHIA would not slow down his duty as regional organiser, Mr Yamoa-Ponko answered in the negative, saying it was even an opportunity for him to get to as many people as possible, especially those at the grass-roots.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
THREE ARMED ROBBERS IMPRISONED 100 YRS EACH (PAGE 3, DEC 8)
THREE armed robbers who undertook one of the most callous robberies in recent times have been sentenced to 100 years’ imprisonment each by the Kumasi Circuit Court for conspiracy and robbery.
The convicts tied their victim to a tree and wrapped his mouth and nose with Sellotape, leaving him to suffocate to death.
Prosecutors described the sentence as the biggest for any robbery case by any court in the country in recent times.
Daniel Domfeh, alias Frenchman, 18, Daniel Dumonu, alias Ntikuma, 25, and Edward Arthur, alias Ebo, 25, were earlier this year jailed 27 years each by the Kumasi High Court for various robberies. This means they would be serving 127 years each in jail.
The judge described the robbers as devil incarnates who were not fit to live in society.
“You have to be in confinement for you are not fit to live among right thinking people,” Mr Amo Yartey said.
Prosecuting, Assistant State Attorney, Ms Anita Wase, told the court that the complainant in the case was the owner of a Hyundai Pony taxi with registration number AS 2725–09 driven by his deceased nephew, Bashiru Mohammed.
The prosecutor, who was led by Mr Emmanuel Otoo Wilson, also an Assistant State Prosecutor, said on March 29, 2009, Domfeh and Dumonu boarded the taxi at the main Mampong Lorry Station to Boanim, near Mampong.
Arthur joined the vehicle at Mprim Junction and on the way the convicts ordered the driver to turn off the ignition.
The prosecutor said after turning off the ignition, Arthur took control of the vehicle and the other two robbers subjected the driver to severe beating until he became helpless.
The robbers then wrapped the deceased’s mouth and nose with Sellotape and tied him to a tree while they bolted in the taxi.
A report was made to the police, who conducted a search for the taxi and the deceased.
According to the prosecutor, the driver was later found dead at where they tied him to the tree and his remains were conveyed to the Mampong Hospital for autopsy.
The post-mortem report said the deceased died from severe polytrauma from alleged assault and haemorrhagic shock.
The prosecutor said Domfeh took the taxi to Suame Magazine for repairs but one of the mechanics at the place who recognised the vehicle as belonging to the complainant raised an alarm and caused the arrest of Domfeh.
Domfeh then led the police to arrest the two others.
The convicts tied their victim to a tree and wrapped his mouth and nose with Sellotape, leaving him to suffocate to death.
Prosecutors described the sentence as the biggest for any robbery case by any court in the country in recent times.
Daniel Domfeh, alias Frenchman, 18, Daniel Dumonu, alias Ntikuma, 25, and Edward Arthur, alias Ebo, 25, were earlier this year jailed 27 years each by the Kumasi High Court for various robberies. This means they would be serving 127 years each in jail.
The judge described the robbers as devil incarnates who were not fit to live in society.
“You have to be in confinement for you are not fit to live among right thinking people,” Mr Amo Yartey said.
Prosecuting, Assistant State Attorney, Ms Anita Wase, told the court that the complainant in the case was the owner of a Hyundai Pony taxi with registration number AS 2725–09 driven by his deceased nephew, Bashiru Mohammed.
The prosecutor, who was led by Mr Emmanuel Otoo Wilson, also an Assistant State Prosecutor, said on March 29, 2009, Domfeh and Dumonu boarded the taxi at the main Mampong Lorry Station to Boanim, near Mampong.
Arthur joined the vehicle at Mprim Junction and on the way the convicts ordered the driver to turn off the ignition.
The prosecutor said after turning off the ignition, Arthur took control of the vehicle and the other two robbers subjected the driver to severe beating until he became helpless.
The robbers then wrapped the deceased’s mouth and nose with Sellotape and tied him to a tree while they bolted in the taxi.
A report was made to the police, who conducted a search for the taxi and the deceased.
According to the prosecutor, the driver was later found dead at where they tied him to the tree and his remains were conveyed to the Mampong Hospital for autopsy.
The post-mortem report said the deceased died from severe polytrauma from alleged assault and haemorrhagic shock.
The prosecutor said Domfeh took the taxi to Suame Magazine for repairs but one of the mechanics at the place who recognised the vehicle as belonging to the complainant raised an alarm and caused the arrest of Domfeh.
Domfeh then led the police to arrest the two others.
Monday, December 7, 2009
TRADITIONALISTS TO WARD OFF WITCHES CONFERENCE (PAGE 34, MIRROR, DEC 5)
A SUPPOSED national conference of witches and wizards slated for Hyiawu Bisease in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region this Christmas has caused a great apprehension amongst the people of the town.
It came as a rumour in the media about a week ago but the chiefs and people of this predominantly farming community have taken it serious and are doing everything spiritually possible to prevent it from taking place in the town.
The traditional authorities and the Local Council of Churches believed they needed to marshal all forces available at their disposal to ward off this spiritual event.
The Gyasehene of the town, Nana Adu Ansere said, “We can’t allow this to happen in our town. It will disgrace our town and we will fight to resist it.”
He said as traditional rulers they had the physical and spiritual duty to protect the town from any form of disgrace.
It is believed that such a spiritual meeting brings about various forms of calamities on the people and this is what nananom and the people are not ready to accept.
The chairman of the local council of churches, Rev. Agyei Boaitey, also said the Christian community were intensifying their activities to cut out the spiritual meeting.
He told The Mirror, “When we heard of the coming meeting of the witches and wizards we got our act together and drew up a programme to crash this devilish conference.”
According to him, daily prayer sessions were underway in the town with the climax fixed for this Friday (December 4).
The prayer sessions are grouped into two — the first from 4am to 5am and the second from 8pm to 9pm.
Friday’s prayer session is expected to be huge with people from other nearby communities joining them.
But it appears a section of the people are already expressing fears that the meeting would surely come off.
This is due to some recent negative developments in the town, which were deemed unusual.
First, three people lost their lives in rapid fashion, while a house was burnt in circumstances that were seen as spiritually actuated.
It came as a rumour in the media about a week ago but the chiefs and people of this predominantly farming community have taken it serious and are doing everything spiritually possible to prevent it from taking place in the town.
The traditional authorities and the Local Council of Churches believed they needed to marshal all forces available at their disposal to ward off this spiritual event.
The Gyasehene of the town, Nana Adu Ansere said, “We can’t allow this to happen in our town. It will disgrace our town and we will fight to resist it.”
He said as traditional rulers they had the physical and spiritual duty to protect the town from any form of disgrace.
It is believed that such a spiritual meeting brings about various forms of calamities on the people and this is what nananom and the people are not ready to accept.
The chairman of the local council of churches, Rev. Agyei Boaitey, also said the Christian community were intensifying their activities to cut out the spiritual meeting.
He told The Mirror, “When we heard of the coming meeting of the witches and wizards we got our act together and drew up a programme to crash this devilish conference.”
According to him, daily prayer sessions were underway in the town with the climax fixed for this Friday (December 4).
The prayer sessions are grouped into two — the first from 4am to 5am and the second from 8pm to 9pm.
Friday’s prayer session is expected to be huge with people from other nearby communities joining them.
But it appears a section of the people are already expressing fears that the meeting would surely come off.
This is due to some recent negative developments in the town, which were deemed unusual.
First, three people lost their lives in rapid fashion, while a house was burnt in circumstances that were seen as spiritually actuated.
Friday, December 4, 2009
SANNIE CRIES OUT AT KOTOKO (GRAPHIC SPORTS, LEAD STORY, DEC 4)
GOALKEEPER Sannie Mohammed of Kumasi Asante Kotoko wept on radio last Wednesday after revealing he had been told that the club bought him from Accra Hearts of Oak just to spoil his career as punishment for denying them the opportunity to win the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup.
According to him, a ball boy in the club told him that the reason why the technical team had refused to feature him in matches stemmed from the fact that Kotoko officials were peeved at his penalty saves that denied Asante Kotoko the Confederation Cup.
Goalkeeper Sannie, who was in post when Hearts defeated Asante Kotoko on penalties to win the maiden edition of the Confederation Cup, was in superb shape that day, saving two of the kicks to rob the highly-rated Asante Kotoko of victory.
Sannie, who was speaking on Angel FM sports, broke down in tears after revealing the story, causing the interviewer, Bright Kankam Boadu, to suspend the interview for about two minutes for the goalkeeper to regain his composure.
The goalkeeper said, “My heart is bleeding, and I’m highly disappointed if that is the way football officials can treat someone whose life depends on football.”
He indicated that he joined Asante Kotoko with the hope of progressing in his career, “but from the way things are going, I don’t think I have any future with the club.”
He stated, while trying to hold back his tears, that since he joined Kotoko more than a year ago he had been featured just thrice in matches that the team had played.
But, according to him, he had been very regular at training and believed that he was in shape to keep the post, adding that he had never had problems with the coach.
“This has made me to believe that I was bought to be destroyed as a punishment,” he stressed.
Sannie said in the current season, all the other three goalkeepers in the team had been given the opportunity to keep the post and wondered why he was the one yet to be given the opportunity.
“In Hearts I was given all the space to exhibit my potential, and everybody knows what I did for the club,” he said.
He stated that it is a credit to play for Kotoko, but when a player is registered in a bid only to be benched, that could not be said to be anything good.
“I prefer to be in a club that would pay me GH¢20 a month and get regular playing time to a big club that will pay me so much only to keep me out of play,” he said.
The goalkeeper further revealed on the programme that Kotoko’s goalkeepers’ trainer, Joseph Carr, also told him that he (Sannie) had been using juju against the other goalkeepers.
Sannie quoted Carr as saying that his (Carr’s) pastor in Cape Coast had told him that one of the goalkeepers in the club who had not been getting playing time was the one using juju against the other goalkeepers, resulting in their unimpressive output in the league,
“And I know that the goalkeeper who has not been keeping the post is me, so something struck me that Carr has something sinister against me,” he said.
Reacting to the allegation, Joe Carr admitted that his pastor told him about one of the goalkeepers in the club working spiritually against the others.
He said he trusted his pastor and as a result he (Carr) convened a meeting of all goalkeepers and told them about the pastor’s revelation.
The goalkeepers’ trainer however denied the allegation that he mentioned Saani as the one in the centre of the juju.
“I just told them one of them was doing that and any of them who knew he was the one should stop,” he said.
According to him, a ball boy in the club told him that the reason why the technical team had refused to feature him in matches stemmed from the fact that Kotoko officials were peeved at his penalty saves that denied Asante Kotoko the Confederation Cup.
Goalkeeper Sannie, who was in post when Hearts defeated Asante Kotoko on penalties to win the maiden edition of the Confederation Cup, was in superb shape that day, saving two of the kicks to rob the highly-rated Asante Kotoko of victory.
Sannie, who was speaking on Angel FM sports, broke down in tears after revealing the story, causing the interviewer, Bright Kankam Boadu, to suspend the interview for about two minutes for the goalkeeper to regain his composure.
The goalkeeper said, “My heart is bleeding, and I’m highly disappointed if that is the way football officials can treat someone whose life depends on football.”
He indicated that he joined Asante Kotoko with the hope of progressing in his career, “but from the way things are going, I don’t think I have any future with the club.”
He stated, while trying to hold back his tears, that since he joined Kotoko more than a year ago he had been featured just thrice in matches that the team had played.
But, according to him, he had been very regular at training and believed that he was in shape to keep the post, adding that he had never had problems with the coach.
“This has made me to believe that I was bought to be destroyed as a punishment,” he stressed.
Sannie said in the current season, all the other three goalkeepers in the team had been given the opportunity to keep the post and wondered why he was the one yet to be given the opportunity.
“In Hearts I was given all the space to exhibit my potential, and everybody knows what I did for the club,” he said.
He stated that it is a credit to play for Kotoko, but when a player is registered in a bid only to be benched, that could not be said to be anything good.
“I prefer to be in a club that would pay me GH¢20 a month and get regular playing time to a big club that will pay me so much only to keep me out of play,” he said.
The goalkeeper further revealed on the programme that Kotoko’s goalkeepers’ trainer, Joseph Carr, also told him that he (Sannie) had been using juju against the other goalkeepers.
Sannie quoted Carr as saying that his (Carr’s) pastor in Cape Coast had told him that one of the goalkeepers in the club who had not been getting playing time was the one using juju against the other goalkeepers, resulting in their unimpressive output in the league,
“And I know that the goalkeeper who has not been keeping the post is me, so something struck me that Carr has something sinister against me,” he said.
Reacting to the allegation, Joe Carr admitted that his pastor told him about one of the goalkeepers in the club working spiritually against the others.
He said he trusted his pastor and as a result he (Carr) convened a meeting of all goalkeepers and told them about the pastor’s revelation.
The goalkeepers’ trainer however denied the allegation that he mentioned Saani as the one in the centre of the juju.
“I just told them one of them was doing that and any of them who knew he was the one should stop,” he said.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY FOR ACCUSED (PAGE 23, DEC 4)
IT was double agony in court for an accounts officer of the Ghana Post Company in Kumasi who stole GH¢87,000 from the company to build a house in his home town.
Apart from sentencing the officer, Adjei Manu, to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Circuit Court also ordered the seizure of the said house and its subsequent handing over to the company.
Mr Adjei Frimpong, presiding, did not take kindly to the explanation by Manu that he had used the money to build the house for his family.
The judge quoted from the Criminal Code that no one should benefit from a crime and consequently ordered the seizure of the house and its subsequent handing over to the company.
Manu pleaded not guilty to the charge of embezzlement of state funds but after the trial the prosecution was able to prove its case.
According to the prosecution, between April and December 2008 an internal audit was conducted at the Kumasi office of the company.
The audit revealed that Manu had misappropriated the amount.
Company officials, therefore, lodged a complaint with the police, leading to Manu’s arrest.
Apart from sentencing the officer, Adjei Manu, to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Circuit Court also ordered the seizure of the said house and its subsequent handing over to the company.
Mr Adjei Frimpong, presiding, did not take kindly to the explanation by Manu that he had used the money to build the house for his family.
The judge quoted from the Criminal Code that no one should benefit from a crime and consequently ordered the seizure of the house and its subsequent handing over to the company.
Manu pleaded not guilty to the charge of embezzlement of state funds but after the trial the prosecution was able to prove its case.
According to the prosecution, between April and December 2008 an internal audit was conducted at the Kumasi office of the company.
The audit revealed that Manu had misappropriated the amount.
Company officials, therefore, lodged a complaint with the police, leading to Manu’s arrest.
NOVEMBER REGISTERS ZERO GUINEA WORM DETECTION (BACK PAGE, DEC 4)
FOR the first time since the launch of the National Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) in 1989, the month of November 2009 has recorded a zero case detection.
Officials say the development is significant, as it indicates that there is a forward march in the fight against the water-borne disease.
They, however, warned that it was not a sign of the complete eradication of the disease.
The National Programmes Manager of the GWEP, Dr Andrew Seidu-Korkor, said in an interview that the situation was a testimony that the country was moving forward in the fight against the disease.
He, however, said until no case had been reported for 12 months, “we cannot say we are free from the disease”.
Dr Seidu-Korkor, who was speaking after the closing of the annual review session of the programme in Kumasi, explained that “what we are seeing is the result of the systematic implementation of various activities to contain the disease”.
He mentioned some of the interventions as breaking guinea worm transmission, strengthening surveillance, social mobilisation and advocacy, among others.
He cited one activity that had contributed immensely to the fight against the disease as the engagement of people to police water sources to make sure no one with signs of the disease stepped in the water.
The programmes manager stated that 240 cases had been reported this year, as against 501 in 2008 and 3,558 in 2007.
“This year, the cases were reported in the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern regions, with the Northern Region alone accounting for 98 per cent of the reported cases,” he added.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the review programme, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory, noted the harm guinea worm had brought on many people in the country and said the recent successes chalked up in the fight should spur all players on to intensify their activities.
The programme was the initiative of the Ministry of Health, with sponsorship from the WHO, UNICEF, the Carter Centre and JICA.
Officials say the development is significant, as it indicates that there is a forward march in the fight against the water-borne disease.
They, however, warned that it was not a sign of the complete eradication of the disease.
The National Programmes Manager of the GWEP, Dr Andrew Seidu-Korkor, said in an interview that the situation was a testimony that the country was moving forward in the fight against the disease.
He, however, said until no case had been reported for 12 months, “we cannot say we are free from the disease”.
Dr Seidu-Korkor, who was speaking after the closing of the annual review session of the programme in Kumasi, explained that “what we are seeing is the result of the systematic implementation of various activities to contain the disease”.
He mentioned some of the interventions as breaking guinea worm transmission, strengthening surveillance, social mobilisation and advocacy, among others.
He cited one activity that had contributed immensely to the fight against the disease as the engagement of people to police water sources to make sure no one with signs of the disease stepped in the water.
The programmes manager stated that 240 cases had been reported this year, as against 501 in 2008 and 3,558 in 2007.
“This year, the cases were reported in the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern regions, with the Northern Region alone accounting for 98 per cent of the reported cases,” he added.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the review programme, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory, noted the harm guinea worm had brought on many people in the country and said the recent successes chalked up in the fight should spur all players on to intensify their activities.
The programme was the initiative of the Ministry of Health, with sponsorship from the WHO, UNICEF, the Carter Centre and JICA.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
DCE CAU TIONS ASSEMBLIES ON SUB-STRUCTURES (PAGE 13, DEC 3)
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sekyere Afram Plains in the Ashanti Region, Mr J.K. Dankwah, has cautioned district assemblies against seeing their sub-structures as mere appendages.
“They are partners of the district assemblies and the central government in the development of the country,” he said.
He, therefore, called for the strengthening of relations between the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly and its sub-structures to facilitate positive grass roots governance and development.
Mr Dankwah, who stated this at the general meeting of the assembly at Kumawu, the district capital, said the assembly should resource its sub town/area councils to enable them to perform their statutory functions.
He stated that the assembly received GH¢334,005.77 as its share of the first and second quarter releases of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund, and added that the amount was being used to finance approved development projects and programmes of the assembly’s 2009 supplementary budget.
He cautioned against the assembly’s over-dependence on the Common Fund for its development projects, and stressed the need for the assembly to intensify its internal revenue generation efforts.
Mr Dankwah said out of the estimated GH¢170,532.16 targeted for collection this year, GH¢115,545.66 had been collected as of September, representing 67.76 per cent of the annual target.
The DCE disclosed that in the recent functional organisation assessment conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the assembly attained 74.5 per cent, which was described as outstanding.
“With this record, the assembly has qualified to benefit from investment package of the District Development Fund (DDF) for 2010,” he added.
Mr Dankwa announced that the district was to benefit from 15 schools projects under the second phase of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) projects.
The beneficiary communities are Bodomase, Abotanso, Bodwease, Dagomba, Drobonso, Oyoko, Pepease and Wonoo.
Besides, 27 communities had been selected these to benefit from water and sanitation infrastructure facilities under the MiDA projects.
The DCE further disclosed that the rehabilitation of the 10.02km Kumawu-Kwaman road, which was awarded in October 2006, would be completed by the end of December 2009.
He stated that two key bridges, one on the River Afram on the Drobonso-Dawia road and the other on River Pru on the Anyinofi-Ayim road, would be reconstructed using steel, under a project being financed by the government.
He expressed concern about the deteriorating educational standard in the district, and stressed the need for the assembly to adopt measures to arrest the problem.
Mr Dankwah hinted that the assembly would sponsor the training of nurses so that they would work in the district on completion of their training.
“They are partners of the district assemblies and the central government in the development of the country,” he said.
He, therefore, called for the strengthening of relations between the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly and its sub-structures to facilitate positive grass roots governance and development.
Mr Dankwah, who stated this at the general meeting of the assembly at Kumawu, the district capital, said the assembly should resource its sub town/area councils to enable them to perform their statutory functions.
He stated that the assembly received GH¢334,005.77 as its share of the first and second quarter releases of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund, and added that the amount was being used to finance approved development projects and programmes of the assembly’s 2009 supplementary budget.
He cautioned against the assembly’s over-dependence on the Common Fund for its development projects, and stressed the need for the assembly to intensify its internal revenue generation efforts.
Mr Dankwah said out of the estimated GH¢170,532.16 targeted for collection this year, GH¢115,545.66 had been collected as of September, representing 67.76 per cent of the annual target.
The DCE disclosed that in the recent functional organisation assessment conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the assembly attained 74.5 per cent, which was described as outstanding.
“With this record, the assembly has qualified to benefit from investment package of the District Development Fund (DDF) for 2010,” he added.
Mr Dankwa announced that the district was to benefit from 15 schools projects under the second phase of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) projects.
The beneficiary communities are Bodomase, Abotanso, Bodwease, Dagomba, Drobonso, Oyoko, Pepease and Wonoo.
Besides, 27 communities had been selected these to benefit from water and sanitation infrastructure facilities under the MiDA projects.
The DCE further disclosed that the rehabilitation of the 10.02km Kumawu-Kwaman road, which was awarded in October 2006, would be completed by the end of December 2009.
He stated that two key bridges, one on the River Afram on the Drobonso-Dawia road and the other on River Pru on the Anyinofi-Ayim road, would be reconstructed using steel, under a project being financed by the government.
He expressed concern about the deteriorating educational standard in the district, and stressed the need for the assembly to adopt measures to arrest the problem.
Mr Dankwah hinted that the assembly would sponsor the training of nurses so that they would work in the district on completion of their training.
KUMASI POLY TEACHERS WANT RECTOR OUT (BACK PAGE, DEC 3)
TEACHERS of the Kumasi Polytechnic have resolved to lay down their tools with effect from Friday, December 4, 2009 to back their demand for the polytechnic Rector, Dr B.E.K. Prah, to leave office.
The decision came just a week after the teachers appealed to the Polytechnic Council not to renew the rector’s contract, citing allegations of financial and administrative malpractice against him.
The intended strike is timed to coincide with the end-of-semester examinations of the polytechnic.
At a news conference in Kumasi yesterday, the teachers said they were aware of moves to extend the rector’s contract and that the only option left for them to back their demand for his removal was to embark on the strike.
The local Chairman of the Polytechnic Teachers Association (POTAG), Mr S. Abu-Frimpong, who read the teachers’ statement, said they wanted to see the rector leave office after his four-year contract, which would end on December 3, 2009, to save the polytechnic from collapse.
He said no lecturer would be involved in any academic activity, including supervision of examinations, if the strike began.
“All administrative duties expected of any POTAG member shall not be performed,” he said, adding, “There shall be no picketing, nor shall there be any physical interference of any sort to anybody.”
Mr Abu-Frimpong said when they called the first news conference, the National Labour Commission, the Polytechnic Council, as well as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), invited them for redress but so far only the Polytechnic Council had fixed Wednesday, December 2 for a meeting.
“But we know that this meeting will be fruitless because the council has already taken a stand to renew the rector’s contract,” he said.
Mr Abu-Frimpong stated that they were not happy about the stand taken by the Chairman of the Polytechnic Council, Alhaji Salifu Seidu, who, in his reaction to their concerns, sought to show dissatisfaction with the teachers’ position on the rector.
The decision came just a week after the teachers appealed to the Polytechnic Council not to renew the rector’s contract, citing allegations of financial and administrative malpractice against him.
The intended strike is timed to coincide with the end-of-semester examinations of the polytechnic.
At a news conference in Kumasi yesterday, the teachers said they were aware of moves to extend the rector’s contract and that the only option left for them to back their demand for his removal was to embark on the strike.
The local Chairman of the Polytechnic Teachers Association (POTAG), Mr S. Abu-Frimpong, who read the teachers’ statement, said they wanted to see the rector leave office after his four-year contract, which would end on December 3, 2009, to save the polytechnic from collapse.
He said no lecturer would be involved in any academic activity, including supervision of examinations, if the strike began.
“All administrative duties expected of any POTAG member shall not be performed,” he said, adding, “There shall be no picketing, nor shall there be any physical interference of any sort to anybody.”
Mr Abu-Frimpong said when they called the first news conference, the National Labour Commission, the Polytechnic Council, as well as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), invited them for redress but so far only the Polytechnic Council had fixed Wednesday, December 2 for a meeting.
“But we know that this meeting will be fruitless because the council has already taken a stand to renew the rector’s contract,” he said.
Mr Abu-Frimpong stated that they were not happy about the stand taken by the Chairman of the Polytechnic Council, Alhaji Salifu Seidu, who, in his reaction to their concerns, sought to show dissatisfaction with the teachers’ position on the rector.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
NEXANS EDUCATES ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS (PAGE 26, DEC 2)
Electrical contractors have been advised to keep abreast of the most advanced systems and technologies used in installing electrical cables to enhance quality service delivery.
The Assistant Marketing Manager of Nexans Kabelmetal, Mr Mahama B. Dollah, who gave the advice, said it was equally important for them to build their capacity in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enable them to appreciate modern ways of sourcing for business and build partnerships with other companies.
At a seminar in Kumasi to sensitise the members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Electrical Contractors Association to the need for them to source for quality electrical cables that met the requirements of contractors in particular and their clients in general, Mr Dollah noted that the use of substandard cables undermined quality work because the cables could easily catch fire to destroy lives and properties.
About 120 members attended the seminar, which also sought to introduce members to the products of Nexans Kabelmetal, one of the leading cable manufacturers in the country.
Mr Dollah charged the members to strictly adhere to specifications in installing outdoor and underground cables, as well as those specified for earth wires, conductors and binding wires.
He also educated the participants on the technology of cables and took them through the various types, their uses, characteristics and safety measures that should be taken to prevent cables from catching fire.
He said his company, which is affiliated to the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other renowned companies in the country, was conscious of the danger of using substandard electrical cables any constructional work and would extend its educational campaign to other regional capitals to sensitise members of the industry to appreciate the need to use only quality electrical cables.
He called on electricians who had not joined the association to do so to enable them to share ideas and experiences on how to improve upon their work “to enable you to overcome every challenge you encounter in the industry”.
The Assistant Marketing Manager of Nexans Kabelmetal, Mr Mahama B. Dollah, who gave the advice, said it was equally important for them to build their capacity in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enable them to appreciate modern ways of sourcing for business and build partnerships with other companies.
At a seminar in Kumasi to sensitise the members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Electrical Contractors Association to the need for them to source for quality electrical cables that met the requirements of contractors in particular and their clients in general, Mr Dollah noted that the use of substandard cables undermined quality work because the cables could easily catch fire to destroy lives and properties.
About 120 members attended the seminar, which also sought to introduce members to the products of Nexans Kabelmetal, one of the leading cable manufacturers in the country.
Mr Dollah charged the members to strictly adhere to specifications in installing outdoor and underground cables, as well as those specified for earth wires, conductors and binding wires.
He also educated the participants on the technology of cables and took them through the various types, their uses, characteristics and safety measures that should be taken to prevent cables from catching fire.
He said his company, which is affiliated to the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other renowned companies in the country, was conscious of the danger of using substandard electrical cables any constructional work and would extend its educational campaign to other regional capitals to sensitise members of the industry to appreciate the need to use only quality electrical cables.
He called on electricians who had not joined the association to do so to enable them to share ideas and experiences on how to improve upon their work “to enable you to overcome every challenge you encounter in the industry”.
POWER PROJCT YET TO TAKE OFF...5 Years after sod-cutting (PAGE 26, DEC 3)
FIVE years after the sod had been cut for work to begin on a $136 million power plant to generate electricity from garbage in Kumasi, there is nothing to show for the project.
The project, which was the initiative of the Ministry of Local Government and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), was the first attempt to undertake a waste-to-energy project in any local authority in the country.
The project, which was to be undertaken by Cinergex Solutions, a Canadian firm, under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) system, was programmed to take 14 months to complete.
After five years, however, the KMA has nothing to show in respect of the project.
Confirming this, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Kumasi, Mr Samuel Sarpong, said, “I have not seen anything about the project since I assumed office about five months ago.”
“Indeed, all that has been said about the project is mere paper work. Not a single thing has been done with respect to the project,” he added.
In June 2004, then President J.A. Kufuor performed the sod-cutting ceremony. That was after the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the KMA had signed the contract for the construction of the plant
with the contractors, Cinergex Solutions of Canada, in November 2003.
Cinergex Solutions was said to be the major financiers of the plant, which was to generate between 30 and 52 megawatts of electricity from garbage at the KMA’s landfill site at Dompoase.
The company was said to have come on board on a BOT basis. Electricity to be generated from the plant was to serve the Kumasi metropolis and its environs. Cinergex, consequently, signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under which electricity produced by the waste-to-energy plant would supplement the ECG’s power supply from the Volta River Authority (VRA) to the Kumasi metropolis.
The sod-cutting ceremony was performed at a time when Ghana was experiencing a serious energy crisis and many saw the project as one of the best things to happen to the metropolis.
The Kumasi metropolis generates about 1,000 tonnes of waste per day, which was seen as good enough to feed the plant if it came on board.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, former President Kufuor had said the government, through the Ministry of Local Government, would encourage other metropolitan and municipal assemblies which had the capacity and capability to explore the possibility of turning their waste into energy.
The project, which was the initiative of the Ministry of Local Government and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), was the first attempt to undertake a waste-to-energy project in any local authority in the country.
The project, which was to be undertaken by Cinergex Solutions, a Canadian firm, under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) system, was programmed to take 14 months to complete.
After five years, however, the KMA has nothing to show in respect of the project.
Confirming this, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Kumasi, Mr Samuel Sarpong, said, “I have not seen anything about the project since I assumed office about five months ago.”
“Indeed, all that has been said about the project is mere paper work. Not a single thing has been done with respect to the project,” he added.
In June 2004, then President J.A. Kufuor performed the sod-cutting ceremony. That was after the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the KMA had signed the contract for the construction of the plant
with the contractors, Cinergex Solutions of Canada, in November 2003.
Cinergex Solutions was said to be the major financiers of the plant, which was to generate between 30 and 52 megawatts of electricity from garbage at the KMA’s landfill site at Dompoase.
The company was said to have come on board on a BOT basis. Electricity to be generated from the plant was to serve the Kumasi metropolis and its environs. Cinergex, consequently, signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under which electricity produced by the waste-to-energy plant would supplement the ECG’s power supply from the Volta River Authority (VRA) to the Kumasi metropolis.
The sod-cutting ceremony was performed at a time when Ghana was experiencing a serious energy crisis and many saw the project as one of the best things to happen to the metropolis.
The Kumasi metropolis generates about 1,000 tonnes of waste per day, which was seen as good enough to feed the plant if it came on board.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, former President Kufuor had said the government, through the Ministry of Local Government, would encourage other metropolitan and municipal assemblies which had the capacity and capability to explore the possibility of turning their waste into energy.
BY-LAWS TO GET PARENTS ALIVE TO RESPONSIBILITIES (PAGE 21, DEC 2)
THE Upper Manya Krobo District Assembly in the Eastern Region has started drafting bye-laws to punish parents who refuse to send their children to school.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, made this known when he addressed the Apimso congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at the weekend to mark its centenary celebrations.
The main occupation of the people of the Apimso area who are mostly Presbyterians is farming, and most parents prefer their children to be on the farms rather than in being in school.
According to Mr Tetteh Angmor, true Christians should be concerned about the future well-being of their children, and that could only be accomplished by educating them.
He said if parents in the area would not live up to their responsibilities of taking care of their children’s education, then the assembly would come up with punitive measures to compel them to take up such responsibilities.
He advised parents, especially Christians, to take keen interest in the education of their wards and children, so that children would grow up to become responsible adults.
“The assembly is in the process of drafting bye-laws which will apportion appropriate punishment for parents who will refuse to send their children to school and rather engage them on the farm and other menial jobs, and I want all of you to see to the educational needs of your children to avoid being punished,” he stated.
He said the Government was concerned about the education of children. That was why it came out with initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to ensure that all parents who could also access health care through the National Health Insurance Scheme would equally be able to send their children to school.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, made this known when he addressed the Apimso congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at the weekend to mark its centenary celebrations.
The main occupation of the people of the Apimso area who are mostly Presbyterians is farming, and most parents prefer their children to be on the farms rather than in being in school.
According to Mr Tetteh Angmor, true Christians should be concerned about the future well-being of their children, and that could only be accomplished by educating them.
He said if parents in the area would not live up to their responsibilities of taking care of their children’s education, then the assembly would come up with punitive measures to compel them to take up such responsibilities.
He advised parents, especially Christians, to take keen interest in the education of their wards and children, so that children would grow up to become responsible adults.
“The assembly is in the process of drafting bye-laws which will apportion appropriate punishment for parents who will refuse to send their children to school and rather engage them on the farm and other menial jobs, and I want all of you to see to the educational needs of your children to avoid being punished,” he stated.
He said the Government was concerned about the education of children. That was why it came out with initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to ensure that all parents who could also access health care through the National Health Insurance Scheme would equally be able to send their children to school.
BONES AT PRAYER CAMP WERE GOAT BONES (BACK PAGE)
THE police in Kumasi say it has been established that the bones that were buried at Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom’s prayer camp are not human bones but those of a goat.
“They surely belong to a goat,” the Suame Divisional Crime Officer, DSP Kwaku Duah, told the Daily Graphic yesterday.
Consequently, he said, the police could not proceed with any further investigations into the alleged ritual which involved the burying of bones, a dead snake and candles at the prayer camp
Suspicion that the bones were human bones raised a lot of concern among the public when the story about the alleged rituals broke.
One Frank Annor, who described himself as a former confidant of Bishop Daniel Obinim, the Head of the International God’s Way Church, had alleged that the bishop had asked him to perform the ritual at the Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom’s worship grounds for a fee of GH¢4,000.
DSP Duah said Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom was not part of the case in question and, therefore, inviting him to testify was out of the equation.
Meanwhile, Bishop Obinim has stated that he needs prayers to get him out of “the trap” set by his detractors.
Reacting to Annor’s allegations that he (Obinim) had asked him to bury suspected human bones, a dead snake and candles at Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom’s prayer camp, the bishop said the allegation was totally unfounded.
“I can’t fathom why people should be so wicked to put me in this trap,” he said.
Bishop Obinim suspected Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom to be behind all the moves to bring him down but expressed the hope that he would triumph in the end.
He said he did not bear Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom any grudge and that it was Adarkwa-Yiadom who had been casting insinuations at him without any justifiable reason.
“I am working for God so why should someone who is also working for God be my rival?” he asked.
Bishop Obinim was confident that at the end of the day the truth would come out for all to know who was, indeed, the false prophet.
“They surely belong to a goat,” the Suame Divisional Crime Officer, DSP Kwaku Duah, told the Daily Graphic yesterday.
Consequently, he said, the police could not proceed with any further investigations into the alleged ritual which involved the burying of bones, a dead snake and candles at the prayer camp
Suspicion that the bones were human bones raised a lot of concern among the public when the story about the alleged rituals broke.
One Frank Annor, who described himself as a former confidant of Bishop Daniel Obinim, the Head of the International God’s Way Church, had alleged that the bishop had asked him to perform the ritual at the Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom’s worship grounds for a fee of GH¢4,000.
DSP Duah said Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom was not part of the case in question and, therefore, inviting him to testify was out of the equation.
Meanwhile, Bishop Obinim has stated that he needs prayers to get him out of “the trap” set by his detractors.
Reacting to Annor’s allegations that he (Obinim) had asked him to bury suspected human bones, a dead snake and candles at Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom’s prayer camp, the bishop said the allegation was totally unfounded.
“I can’t fathom why people should be so wicked to put me in this trap,” he said.
Bishop Obinim suspected Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom to be behind all the moves to bring him down but expressed the hope that he would triumph in the end.
He said he did not bear Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom any grudge and that it was Adarkwa-Yiadom who had been casting insinuations at him without any justifiable reason.
“I am working for God so why should someone who is also working for God be my rival?” he asked.
Bishop Obinim was confident that at the end of the day the truth would come out for all to know who was, indeed, the false prophet.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
NHYIAESO CONSTITUENCY ELECTS OFFICERS (PAGE 16, DEC 1)
THE Nhyiaeso Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has by acclamation elected majority of the constituency executives to run the party for the next four years.
At the constituency delegates conference in Kumasi, officials of the Electoral Commission who supervised the exercise had very little work to do as almost all the candidates were returned unopposed.
It was the first time that any constituency executives in the region had been elected unopposed since the party started its constituency elections, something the Party Chairman, Mr George Kofi Agyei, described as a testimony of the unity of purpose within the constituency.
With the exception of the Youth Organiser, Mr Ernest Dwemoh, and the Second Vice- Chairman, Mr Augustine Mensah Bonsu, all the other executives were re-elected for a second term.
Those re-elected for a second term included the Chairman, Mr Agyei, who is a businessman; Ms Dianalove Opoku, First Vice-Chairperson; Mr Dominic Agyemang Opambuo, Secretary; Mr Stephen Oti Appiah, Assistant Secretary; Mr Kwasi Kankam, Organiser: Ms Helena Badu Fofie, Women’s Organiser, and Mr Kwame Owusu Donkor, Treasurer. The Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Sam Cudjoe, swore in the executives.
Addressing the delegates after the exercise, the Constituency Chairman, Mr Agyei, said the Nhyiaeso Constituency of the party had blazed the trail for others to follow. He added that with unity there was no way the NPP would not get about 98 per cent of the votes in the constituency in the 2012 elections.
Mr Agyei promised that he and his colleagues would work hard to ensure that the NPP achieved its aim in 2012. He said Ghanaians had realised that the NDC had nothing good to offer the nation and were ready to vote them out in the next elections.
He said most of the people in the country were crying for the NPP to relieve them of the problems the NDC had created. “But coming back will also hinge on how well we organise ourselves, and avoid of petty squabbles”, he added.
Mr Agyei was happy about the good relationship between the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area, Dr Richard Anane, the party members as well as the entire people in the constituency and said “this is a plus for the party.”
He stated that the so-called Akufo-Addo-Alan Kyerematen divide was non-existent in the constituency, and expressed the hope that the same situation would prevail in other constituencies.
At the constituency delegates conference in Kumasi, officials of the Electoral Commission who supervised the exercise had very little work to do as almost all the candidates were returned unopposed.
It was the first time that any constituency executives in the region had been elected unopposed since the party started its constituency elections, something the Party Chairman, Mr George Kofi Agyei, described as a testimony of the unity of purpose within the constituency.
With the exception of the Youth Organiser, Mr Ernest Dwemoh, and the Second Vice- Chairman, Mr Augustine Mensah Bonsu, all the other executives were re-elected for a second term.
Those re-elected for a second term included the Chairman, Mr Agyei, who is a businessman; Ms Dianalove Opoku, First Vice-Chairperson; Mr Dominic Agyemang Opambuo, Secretary; Mr Stephen Oti Appiah, Assistant Secretary; Mr Kwasi Kankam, Organiser: Ms Helena Badu Fofie, Women’s Organiser, and Mr Kwame Owusu Donkor, Treasurer. The Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Sam Cudjoe, swore in the executives.
Addressing the delegates after the exercise, the Constituency Chairman, Mr Agyei, said the Nhyiaeso Constituency of the party had blazed the trail for others to follow. He added that with unity there was no way the NPP would not get about 98 per cent of the votes in the constituency in the 2012 elections.
Mr Agyei promised that he and his colleagues would work hard to ensure that the NPP achieved its aim in 2012. He said Ghanaians had realised that the NDC had nothing good to offer the nation and were ready to vote them out in the next elections.
He said most of the people in the country were crying for the NPP to relieve them of the problems the NDC had created. “But coming back will also hinge on how well we organise ourselves, and avoid of petty squabbles”, he added.
Mr Agyei was happy about the good relationship between the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area, Dr Richard Anane, the party members as well as the entire people in the constituency and said “this is a plus for the party.”
He stated that the so-called Akufo-Addo-Alan Kyerematen divide was non-existent in the constituency, and expressed the hope that the same situation would prevail in other constituencies.
200 COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM WATER FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY (BACK PAGE, DEC 1)
ABOUT 200 communities are currently benefiting from a new technology for the removal of manganese and iron from underground water.
The technology, developed by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in conjunction with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), was part of a Master’s degree programme in water and environmental sanitation at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa, who made this known at a special congregation for the award of honorary and postgraduate degrees at the university in Kumasi at the weekend, said the technology was aimed at building capacity for sustainable development in water supply and environmental sanitation in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Three persons, including a businessman and member of the Council of State, Alhaji Asoma Banda; Prof. Dr Dr Sir George Wireko Brobby, a former Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST, and Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, St Michael, Barbados, received honorary doctorate degrees.
In addition, 410 postgraduate students from the School of Graduate Studies also graduated.
Prof. Adarkwa noted the strides being made by KNUST in its postgraduate programmes and said the momentum would be sustained for the benefit of the country and the world at large.
Touching on specific developments in the Master’s degree programmes, the vice-chancellor said transportation research seminars, which were now conducted annually to present the findings of course participants to road agencies and the general public, as well as receive feedback and suggest new research areas, were borne out of the Master’s programme in Transportation Engineering at the university.
He further stated that the MSc programme in Plant Breeding and Seed Sciences had resulted in various researches conducted into various crops, including rice, sorghum and cow pea.
For the programme to run smoothly, he said, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of KNUST had signed MoUs with the Crops Research Institute in Kumasi and the Savannah Agriculture Research Station in Tamale to enable the students to conduct their research in those institutions and also for joint supervision of student projects by scientists in the two institutions.
The Asantehene and Chancellor of the university, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, congratulated the honorary degree awardees on their contribution to societal development.
On behalf of the awardees, Alhaji Banda thanked the university for the recognition given them.
The technology, developed by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in conjunction with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), was part of a Master’s degree programme in water and environmental sanitation at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa, who made this known at a special congregation for the award of honorary and postgraduate degrees at the university in Kumasi at the weekend, said the technology was aimed at building capacity for sustainable development in water supply and environmental sanitation in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Three persons, including a businessman and member of the Council of State, Alhaji Asoma Banda; Prof. Dr Dr Sir George Wireko Brobby, a former Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST, and Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, St Michael, Barbados, received honorary doctorate degrees.
In addition, 410 postgraduate students from the School of Graduate Studies also graduated.
Prof. Adarkwa noted the strides being made by KNUST in its postgraduate programmes and said the momentum would be sustained for the benefit of the country and the world at large.
Touching on specific developments in the Master’s degree programmes, the vice-chancellor said transportation research seminars, which were now conducted annually to present the findings of course participants to road agencies and the general public, as well as receive feedback and suggest new research areas, were borne out of the Master’s programme in Transportation Engineering at the university.
He further stated that the MSc programme in Plant Breeding and Seed Sciences had resulted in various researches conducted into various crops, including rice, sorghum and cow pea.
For the programme to run smoothly, he said, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of KNUST had signed MoUs with the Crops Research Institute in Kumasi and the Savannah Agriculture Research Station in Tamale to enable the students to conduct their research in those institutions and also for joint supervision of student projects by scientists in the two institutions.
The Asantehene and Chancellor of the university, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, congratulated the honorary degree awardees on their contribution to societal development.
On behalf of the awardees, Alhaji Banda thanked the university for the recognition given them.
DON'T JOKE WITH ANTOA NYAMAA...Nsumankwaahene warns 2 clergymen (1B, DEC 1)
THE Nsumankwaahene (Spiritual Head) of Ashanti, Baafour Domfe Gyeabour III, has waded into the pastoral quarrel between Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom of the Ebenezer Prayer Mission and Bishop Daniel Obinim of the International God’s Way Church, with a warning that the invocation of the Ashanti deity, Antoa Nyamaa, could have dire consequences for the clergymen.
Reacting to the drama which unfolded at the Suame Police Station last Saturday where one Frank Annor, who described himself as a former confidant of Bishop Obinim’s, invoked Antoa Nyamaa to curse the bishop, the Nsumankwaahene warned of serious spiritual implications for Christians who resorted to the use of the river deity to settle personal scores.
“In Ashanti, one is likely to suffer serious ill-health and sometimes death if one makes false allegations against another, as is happening among people who claim to be Christians,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Annor, who alleged that Bishop Obinim had sent him to bury suspected human parts, a dead snake and red candles at Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom’s prayer camp at Ahenema Kokoben in Kumasi, used eggs and Schnapps to curse the bishop when the Bishop denied ever sending or knowing Annor.
Baafour Gyeabour said the gods could act swiftly to punish the guilty party in the matter involving Bishop Obinim and Annor, as had been happening to other people.
He pointed out that a staunch member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation who resided in Offinso in the Ashanti Region suffered an unfortunate death 18 years ago when he used the Antoa river god to curse a church member.
“His stomach started protruding and his legs also began swelling before he was rushed here to reverse the curse. But it was too late so he died a miserable death. I believe that if there is truth or not in what has happened, one of them will suffer a serious consequence,” Baafour Gyeabour said.
He said his outfit would not invite any of the parties in the curse but in their own interest they would have to go over to him to reverse the curse before the gods struck.
The Nsumankwaahene advised against the use of Antoa Nyamaa to settle personal scores, stressing that doing so could bring hardships to the guilty party.
The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi and member of the Kumasi Local Council of Churches, Rt Rev Daniel Yinka-Sarfo, asked the feuding men of God to cease fire immediately because what they were doing was a dent on their image and that of the church.
“What they are doing is a disgrace to themselves, their churches and their followers and they must cease,” he said.
He told the Daily Graphic that Christianity was a respected religion and that charlatan leaders who wanted to profit from unsuspecting congregation could end up disgracing themselves.
Rt Rev Yinka-Sarfo hinted that the Local Council of Churches might meet Bishop Obinim and Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom to find a way of settling their differences.
“The only problem is that the two pastors do not belong to any of the recognised Christian groups and so it has been very difficult sitting them down,” he said.
Reacting to the drama which unfolded at the Suame Police Station last Saturday where one Frank Annor, who described himself as a former confidant of Bishop Obinim’s, invoked Antoa Nyamaa to curse the bishop, the Nsumankwaahene warned of serious spiritual implications for Christians who resorted to the use of the river deity to settle personal scores.
“In Ashanti, one is likely to suffer serious ill-health and sometimes death if one makes false allegations against another, as is happening among people who claim to be Christians,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Annor, who alleged that Bishop Obinim had sent him to bury suspected human parts, a dead snake and red candles at Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom’s prayer camp at Ahenema Kokoben in Kumasi, used eggs and Schnapps to curse the bishop when the Bishop denied ever sending or knowing Annor.
Baafour Gyeabour said the gods could act swiftly to punish the guilty party in the matter involving Bishop Obinim and Annor, as had been happening to other people.
He pointed out that a staunch member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation who resided in Offinso in the Ashanti Region suffered an unfortunate death 18 years ago when he used the Antoa river god to curse a church member.
“His stomach started protruding and his legs also began swelling before he was rushed here to reverse the curse. But it was too late so he died a miserable death. I believe that if there is truth or not in what has happened, one of them will suffer a serious consequence,” Baafour Gyeabour said.
He said his outfit would not invite any of the parties in the curse but in their own interest they would have to go over to him to reverse the curse before the gods struck.
The Nsumankwaahene advised against the use of Antoa Nyamaa to settle personal scores, stressing that doing so could bring hardships to the guilty party.
The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi and member of the Kumasi Local Council of Churches, Rt Rev Daniel Yinka-Sarfo, asked the feuding men of God to cease fire immediately because what they were doing was a dent on their image and that of the church.
“What they are doing is a disgrace to themselves, their churches and their followers and they must cease,” he said.
He told the Daily Graphic that Christianity was a respected religion and that charlatan leaders who wanted to profit from unsuspecting congregation could end up disgracing themselves.
Rt Rev Yinka-Sarfo hinted that the Local Council of Churches might meet Bishop Obinim and Rev Adarkwa-Yiadom to find a way of settling their differences.
“The only problem is that the two pastors do not belong to any of the recognised Christian groups and so it has been very difficult sitting them down,” he said.
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