THE Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, has denied the suggestion that the church is in bed with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
He said many church leaders in the country have on many occasions taken issue with the government on matters which were not in the interest of the people to underline their impartiality in the political process.
“You may not find the venom with which church leaders like Rev. Asante Antwi and Rev. Emmanuel Asante in the past poured on the previous government but I tell you, the current government is not finding it easy with the church today”, the Anglican Bishop told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi on Monday.
Rt. Rev. Yinkah-Sarfo was speaking in an interview in reaction to accusations in sections of the media that, the spirit with which the church took on the PNDC and NDC governments on many of their policies had strangely evaporated into thin air under the NPP government, in spite of the many negative happenings.
He admitted that under those governments, church leaders never spared them on a number of issues but noted that, “every objective observer will realise that things have changed now as the nation has advanced in its democratic development”.
“Even then, we as church leaders, will not hesitate to tell the government the truth when things go wrong”, he said.
The Bishop, who is a former military officer, also spoke on other issues of interest and said military governments did not do the nation any good and that the church would continue to pray that the nation does not return to those bloody days.
“Democracy is the only avenue to achieving progress so people should be ready to vote out governments that do not perform”, he said.
The Anglican Bishop expressed concern about the way political campaigning was becoming dirty.
He, therefore, called on political parties to conduct themselves very well in the run-up to the December polls so that the nation would continue to enjoy peace.
He charged political parties to put the nation’s interest first because without a peaceful nation, no political party or government could deliver.
Rt. Rev. Yinkah-Sarfo also called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that political parties were given a level playing field to operate.
“Any attempt to give the advantage to one party could be a recipe for troubles, which we all don’t want”, he stressed.
The Bishop emphasised that it was dangerous for any party to think that it should win the elections at all cost. “It is the people that should be made to decide”.
On that score, Rt. Rev. Yinkah-Sarfo urged the people not to allow politicians to knock their heads together and destroy the country.
He admitted that the nation’s democracy was growing but maintained that, “we still have a long way to go”.
On the President’s nomination of Prof. Mills for the highest national award, the bishop regretted the “noise” being made about it purely from political angles.
He said the President took a lot of things into consideration before making the nomination so Ghanaians should respect his decision.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
DRIVERS ADVISED TO EXEERCISE RESTRAINT ON ROADS (PAGE 30)
THE Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mr Kwaku Oware-Boateng, has called on drivers to exercise maximum restraint on the road with the onset of the rains.
He said that was one surest way of avoiding accidents on the roads.
Mr Oware-Boateng made the appeal during an interview with the Daily Graphic after the committee had gone round major lorry parks in Kumasi to interact with drivers, station masters and the travelling public on ways of ensuring safety on the roads.
Among the areas visited were Aboabo, Asafo and Kejetia.
He said portions of the roads became very slippery when it rained and there was, therefore, the need for drivers to reduce speed when driving on such roads.
“Sometimes too after a heavy downpour the road is covered by flood waters, making it impossible to locate the ends of the road, a development which demands caution on the part of drivers,” he said.
Mr Oware-Boateng suggested to drivers to cultivate the habit of breaking their journeys for some time to enable the rains to subside before continuing.
That was to avoid crushing into fallen trees on the road.
He asked drivers to put their vehicles in good condition before plying the roads.
Mr Oware-Boateng expressed concern about the use of worn-out tyres, saying they were a threat to the lives of passengers and drivers themselves.
He said that was one surest way of avoiding accidents on the roads.
Mr Oware-Boateng made the appeal during an interview with the Daily Graphic after the committee had gone round major lorry parks in Kumasi to interact with drivers, station masters and the travelling public on ways of ensuring safety on the roads.
Among the areas visited were Aboabo, Asafo and Kejetia.
He said portions of the roads became very slippery when it rained and there was, therefore, the need for drivers to reduce speed when driving on such roads.
“Sometimes too after a heavy downpour the road is covered by flood waters, making it impossible to locate the ends of the road, a development which demands caution on the part of drivers,” he said.
Mr Oware-Boateng suggested to drivers to cultivate the habit of breaking their journeys for some time to enable the rains to subside before continuing.
That was to avoid crushing into fallen trees on the road.
He asked drivers to put their vehicles in good condition before plying the roads.
Mr Oware-Boateng expressed concern about the use of worn-out tyres, saying they were a threat to the lives of passengers and drivers themselves.
DONYINA QUEEN'S BODY FOR BURIAL...After 7 years in morgue (BACK PAGE)
AFTER seven years in the morgue, the body of the Queen of Donyina in the Ejisu-Juaben District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Akosua Boahemaa, may soon find a final resting place.
This followed the resolution of the chieftaincy conflict in the town, which stalled all attempts to bury the queen.
The traditional authorities were moving to get the approval of the Manhyia Palace to enable them to prepare for the funeral.
However, this could go with a huge financial burden on the traditional authorities, looking at the long years that the body had remained in the morgue.
The Chief of the town, Nana Osei Yaw, said “very soon Nana will be buried because the chieftaincy dispute has been resolved”.
Nana Boahemaa died at the age of 65 in 2001, and the body has since remained frozen at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue.
Nana Osei Yaw told the Daily Graphic last Monday that the chieftaincy dispute was resolved at the instance of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“With this over, there is no reason in allowing the body to remain in the mortuary.
“But before we can perform any burial or funeral, we have to take instructions from our overlord, Otumfuo, in line with Asante custom,” Nana Osei Yaw said.
The dispute at Donyina started when the late queen nominated Nana Osei Yaw for the vacant stool of the town.
A faction in the town opposed the nomination but the installation went on.
Opposition to the chief continued even after the death of Nana Boahemaa, a situation that made it impossible for the burial to be held.
Nana Osei Yaw said some vacant divisional stools at Donyina would also be filled so that they swear the oath of allegiance to him before the burial.
“But I assure you that all this would be expedited to enable us to go ahead with the burial as soon as possible,” he said.
This followed the resolution of the chieftaincy conflict in the town, which stalled all attempts to bury the queen.
The traditional authorities were moving to get the approval of the Manhyia Palace to enable them to prepare for the funeral.
However, this could go with a huge financial burden on the traditional authorities, looking at the long years that the body had remained in the morgue.
The Chief of the town, Nana Osei Yaw, said “very soon Nana will be buried because the chieftaincy dispute has been resolved”.
Nana Boahemaa died at the age of 65 in 2001, and the body has since remained frozen at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue.
Nana Osei Yaw told the Daily Graphic last Monday that the chieftaincy dispute was resolved at the instance of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“With this over, there is no reason in allowing the body to remain in the mortuary.
“But before we can perform any burial or funeral, we have to take instructions from our overlord, Otumfuo, in line with Asante custom,” Nana Osei Yaw said.
The dispute at Donyina started when the late queen nominated Nana Osei Yaw for the vacant stool of the town.
A faction in the town opposed the nomination but the installation went on.
Opposition to the chief continued even after the death of Nana Boahemaa, a situation that made it impossible for the burial to be held.
Nana Osei Yaw said some vacant divisional stools at Donyina would also be filled so that they swear the oath of allegiance to him before the burial.
“But I assure you that all this would be expedited to enable us to go ahead with the burial as soon as possible,” he said.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
GIVE ME STARS JOB (GRAPHIC SPORTS, LEAD STORY)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
WHEN the Black Stars sent the Greens of Libya tumbling last Sunday, it strongly revived the question of whether or not the GFA should look within for a replacement for Frenchman Claude le Roy.
Sellas Tetteh, who guided the team to that impressive 3-0 victory to serve as a tonic for their forward march to South Africa, believes the performance of the team was a good case for himself and, indeed, Ghanaian coaches.
Surely, an under-performance against the Libyans would have had dire consequences on Ghanaian coaches.
Sellas, who is the assistant coach of the Black Stars, took temporary charge as the FA went looking for what they have described as a “top-class coach”.
While some argue it was time Sellas was made to take full control of the team, others rubbish that argument, because they believe the Libyans come nowhere near the top echelon of Africa football.
The watching Ghanaian football public had expected nothing, but a good show that would give hope for the Black Stars’ move towards the World Cup.
Even though the coach believes he has what it takes to lead the team, he preferred to focus more on the next matches so long as he is in charge.
“We can get better”, he said, maintaining that no one should downgrade the Libyans because they play very good football.
Sellas kept to his promise of getting a good beginning to the competition and his charges proved equal to the task as Prince Tagoe, Manuel Agogo and Laryea Kingson got on the scoresheet.
The 3-0 victory put the Black Stars on top of their group and the pressure to maintain the position will be on.
It could have been a complicated game had the Black Stars not raced into that early lead.
So amazing was the amount of energy and fluidity poured into the game by the Greens, who had 13 out of the 18 players who made it to Kumasi playing for local side Al-Ittihad.
What appeared the modus operandi of the Libyans was to cause an early upset and unsettle the Ghanaians. It nearly materialised as three times in the 2nd, 4th and 6th minutes they came so close that the hearts of thousands of Ghanaians at the near-capacity stadium went dead.
Nimble-footed Ahmed Khalifa Alsbany was a handful for the Ghanaian defence and anytime he created panic in the Black Stars area was always terrifying.
The best for the Ghanaians to do was to take up the gauntlet and look for a goal that could unsettle the Libyans, and they did that through Tagoe in the 16th minute. The galloping striker relied on his speed to outrun Younes Shibani to strike full force past Samir Abbud in post.
When the first goal came, it signalled that Ghana were on the way to a goal haul. Two more goals came through Agogo and Kingston in the second half.
Tagoe, who has been in and out of the game, did not play badly. Perhaps, this is the time for him to work hard to maintain a permanent place in the team.
Asante Kotoko’s left back, Harrison Afful, also made a case in a way for local players. He was so strong and fluid on the left, joining the attack on countless occasions and sending in intelligent crosses, one of which saw Kingson scoring with that spectacular volley.
Ghana’s strength in the midfield was evident as Michael Essien was in full glow, even when Muntari was not pulling his weight.
WHEN the Black Stars sent the Greens of Libya tumbling last Sunday, it strongly revived the question of whether or not the GFA should look within for a replacement for Frenchman Claude le Roy.
Sellas Tetteh, who guided the team to that impressive 3-0 victory to serve as a tonic for their forward march to South Africa, believes the performance of the team was a good case for himself and, indeed, Ghanaian coaches.
Surely, an under-performance against the Libyans would have had dire consequences on Ghanaian coaches.
Sellas, who is the assistant coach of the Black Stars, took temporary charge as the FA went looking for what they have described as a “top-class coach”.
While some argue it was time Sellas was made to take full control of the team, others rubbish that argument, because they believe the Libyans come nowhere near the top echelon of Africa football.
The watching Ghanaian football public had expected nothing, but a good show that would give hope for the Black Stars’ move towards the World Cup.
Even though the coach believes he has what it takes to lead the team, he preferred to focus more on the next matches so long as he is in charge.
“We can get better”, he said, maintaining that no one should downgrade the Libyans because they play very good football.
Sellas kept to his promise of getting a good beginning to the competition and his charges proved equal to the task as Prince Tagoe, Manuel Agogo and Laryea Kingson got on the scoresheet.
The 3-0 victory put the Black Stars on top of their group and the pressure to maintain the position will be on.
It could have been a complicated game had the Black Stars not raced into that early lead.
So amazing was the amount of energy and fluidity poured into the game by the Greens, who had 13 out of the 18 players who made it to Kumasi playing for local side Al-Ittihad.
What appeared the modus operandi of the Libyans was to cause an early upset and unsettle the Ghanaians. It nearly materialised as three times in the 2nd, 4th and 6th minutes they came so close that the hearts of thousands of Ghanaians at the near-capacity stadium went dead.
Nimble-footed Ahmed Khalifa Alsbany was a handful for the Ghanaian defence and anytime he created panic in the Black Stars area was always terrifying.
The best for the Ghanaians to do was to take up the gauntlet and look for a goal that could unsettle the Libyans, and they did that through Tagoe in the 16th minute. The galloping striker relied on his speed to outrun Younes Shibani to strike full force past Samir Abbud in post.
When the first goal came, it signalled that Ghana were on the way to a goal haul. Two more goals came through Agogo and Kingston in the second half.
Tagoe, who has been in and out of the game, did not play badly. Perhaps, this is the time for him to work hard to maintain a permanent place in the team.
Asante Kotoko’s left back, Harrison Afful, also made a case in a way for local players. He was so strong and fluid on the left, joining the attack on countless occasions and sending in intelligent crosses, one of which saw Kingson scoring with that spectacular volley.
Ghana’s strength in the midfield was evident as Michael Essien was in full glow, even when Muntari was not pulling his weight.
ZOOMLION TO BEGIN 24-HOUR REFUSE COLLECTION IN KUMASI (PAGE 29)
A LEADING waste management company, Zoomlion, is to begin a 24-hour citywide evacuation of refuse in Kumasi.
The exercise is meant to clear piled up refuse and consequently improve on sanitation in various parts of the city.
The Ashanti Regional Head of the company, Ms Sharon Quarshie, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise would be sustained because the people of Kumasi deserved what was the best.
She said the current sanitation situation was not the best, and expressed the hope that with the co-operation of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Zoomlion would continue to do more to ensure sanity in the city.
Ms Quarshie said Kumasi would not have serious problems with sanitation if the 24-hour refuse collection exercise was done side by side with the door-to-door refuse collection.
She said undertaking refuse collection in the night had a lot of advantages. For instance, she said, in the night, there was less risk of accidents, while the heavy traffic associated with day collection was practically absent.
She said after collecting the refuse, the company would fumigate the refuse collection points.
That, she said, would help control the scent, cut down the spread of mosquitoes, and thus, reduce malarial infections.
Ms Quarshie further said Zoomlion would soon support the management of the waste disposal site at Dompoase, near Kumasi.
The support will be in the form of equipment and other logistics when necessary.
She also spoke about the pilot waste separation project, which the company launched in Kumasi, in collaboration with the Chemical Engineering Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and said the exercise had been completed.
The project sought to sort out household waste for materials that could be recycled.
The regional head said the company was waiting for the results of the pilot project, and when successful, it would move to implement it on a larger scale.
She said the company had now zoned the Ashanti Region into three, each with a supervisor to ensure effective management of waste.
The exercise is meant to clear piled up refuse and consequently improve on sanitation in various parts of the city.
The Ashanti Regional Head of the company, Ms Sharon Quarshie, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise would be sustained because the people of Kumasi deserved what was the best.
She said the current sanitation situation was not the best, and expressed the hope that with the co-operation of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Zoomlion would continue to do more to ensure sanity in the city.
Ms Quarshie said Kumasi would not have serious problems with sanitation if the 24-hour refuse collection exercise was done side by side with the door-to-door refuse collection.
She said undertaking refuse collection in the night had a lot of advantages. For instance, she said, in the night, there was less risk of accidents, while the heavy traffic associated with day collection was practically absent.
She said after collecting the refuse, the company would fumigate the refuse collection points.
That, she said, would help control the scent, cut down the spread of mosquitoes, and thus, reduce malarial infections.
Ms Quarshie further said Zoomlion would soon support the management of the waste disposal site at Dompoase, near Kumasi.
The support will be in the form of equipment and other logistics when necessary.
She also spoke about the pilot waste separation project, which the company launched in Kumasi, in collaboration with the Chemical Engineering Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and said the exercise had been completed.
The project sought to sort out household waste for materials that could be recycled.
The regional head said the company was waiting for the results of the pilot project, and when successful, it would move to implement it on a larger scale.
She said the company had now zoned the Ashanti Region into three, each with a supervisor to ensure effective management of waste.
Monday, June 2, 2008
STARS TROUNCE LIBYA (BACK PAGE)
GHANA’s Black Stars set a blistering pace in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, winning 3-0 against a Libyan side that never looked overawed by the huge reputation of their opponents.
The Black Stars needed the victory badly to convince the huge crowd including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and indeed all Ghanaians of their determination to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
But it looked so scary on many occasions as the Greens of Libya turned them inside out and threatened their goal area.
Just two minutes into the games, the Greens came very close to scoring as Osama ben Saleh blasted away from just inside the box.
The early advance instilled confidence in the Libyans and they posed some strong challenge to unsettle the Ghanaians but again in the 4th and 6th minutes Ali Khalifa and Ahmed Osman missed from very advantageous positions.
A huge wake-up call they were for the Black Stars, and in a frenetic spell of five minutes they stormed the Libyan area, one of which occasions gave them the first goal through Prince Tagoe after 16 minutes.
The lanky striker, who had missed with a piercing header on the 8th minute, this time made no mistake running into an Agogo pass to beat Saamir Abbud in post.
Instead of the goal propelling the home side into the driving seat, they came up with a patchy output, allowing the Libyans space in the middle.
But the presence of Michael Essien in the middle kept the Greens at bay, while John Mensah with strong support from home boy Afful Harrison, John Pantsil and Eric Addo worked hard to hold in check the two-prong attacking force of Osama and Al Khalifa.
Portsmouth’s Sulley Ali Muntari who was booked in the game and was lost in action on the left but came into the picture on the 20th minute with a driving half volley, but that was not enough to beat the keeper.
Urged on by the partisan home crowd, the Black Stars started the second half dazzling their opponents cutting the ball around as they tried to catch the Greens on the wrong foot.
Ghana struck with full force and found the second goal in the 54th minute when Tagoe on the left corner sent the ball back to Eric Addo who lifted it into the box for Agogo to nod home.
The stadium was electrified but the Greens appeared never ready to give up, playing a composed game and trying to catch the Black Stars on the break.
But the Libyans were to pick another goal in the 65th minute. Harrison Afful gathered a pass from Anthony Annan and crossed the ball into the box for Laryea Kingson to finish off with a half volley.
Libyan coach Faouzi Banzarti brought on Ahmed Elmassli for Ali Khalifa, and Nader Karra for Khaled Hussen on the 71st minute, and the bearded Faouzi was superb using his deft touches to terrorise the Stars back line.
Ghana also made changes, bringing on Bekoe for Agogo, Dickoh for John Mensah and Dramani for Muntari, but no goals were scored again.
The Black Stars needed the victory badly to convince the huge crowd including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and indeed all Ghanaians of their determination to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
But it looked so scary on many occasions as the Greens of Libya turned them inside out and threatened their goal area.
Just two minutes into the games, the Greens came very close to scoring as Osama ben Saleh blasted away from just inside the box.
The early advance instilled confidence in the Libyans and they posed some strong challenge to unsettle the Ghanaians but again in the 4th and 6th minutes Ali Khalifa and Ahmed Osman missed from very advantageous positions.
A huge wake-up call they were for the Black Stars, and in a frenetic spell of five minutes they stormed the Libyan area, one of which occasions gave them the first goal through Prince Tagoe after 16 minutes.
The lanky striker, who had missed with a piercing header on the 8th minute, this time made no mistake running into an Agogo pass to beat Saamir Abbud in post.
Instead of the goal propelling the home side into the driving seat, they came up with a patchy output, allowing the Libyans space in the middle.
But the presence of Michael Essien in the middle kept the Greens at bay, while John Mensah with strong support from home boy Afful Harrison, John Pantsil and Eric Addo worked hard to hold in check the two-prong attacking force of Osama and Al Khalifa.
Portsmouth’s Sulley Ali Muntari who was booked in the game and was lost in action on the left but came into the picture on the 20th minute with a driving half volley, but that was not enough to beat the keeper.
Urged on by the partisan home crowd, the Black Stars started the second half dazzling their opponents cutting the ball around as they tried to catch the Greens on the wrong foot.
Ghana struck with full force and found the second goal in the 54th minute when Tagoe on the left corner sent the ball back to Eric Addo who lifted it into the box for Agogo to nod home.
The stadium was electrified but the Greens appeared never ready to give up, playing a composed game and trying to catch the Black Stars on the break.
But the Libyans were to pick another goal in the 65th minute. Harrison Afful gathered a pass from Anthony Annan and crossed the ball into the box for Laryea Kingson to finish off with a half volley.
Libyan coach Faouzi Banzarti brought on Ahmed Elmassli for Ali Khalifa, and Nader Karra for Khaled Hussen on the 71st minute, and the bearded Faouzi was superb using his deft touches to terrorise the Stars back line.
Ghana also made changes, bringing on Bekoe for Agogo, Dickoh for John Mensah and Dramani for Muntari, but no goals were scored again.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
STARS TO SOURMOUNT LIBYA HURDLE (BACK PAGE)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
MICHAEL Essien arrived yesterday afternoon at the Black Stars camp in Kumasi for tomorrow’s opening group game against Libya in the world cup qualifiers.
Essien comes into camp with Tuinisia-based Moussa Narry, who has been given a late call-up to replace veteran defender Kofi Amponsah, who could not make it to camp.
Essien is the fulcrum of the midfield and all attention will be on him to orchestrate that department of the team.
For the millions of expectant Ghanaians even a draw would be a nightmare, especially as the team faces a side whose pedigree comes nowhere near the Ghanaians.
Notwithstanding the great expectations of the home fans, the high spirits in the camp of the Libyans speak of a side that is bidding to hand the Stars a surprise defeat.
The fact that they have been rated underdogs seems to have ignited their spirit and given them the impetus to plan a strategy to subdue the Ghanaians.
For the players who will line up for Ghana tomorrow, they know that the nation expects nothing but victory.
That is why coach Sellas Tetteh promised that they would go all out for victory. He cannot take things for granted, for Ghanaians are in no mood for anything apart from a good cushion to the World Cup finals, which must start tomorrow as Ghana launches another bid for a place in the biggest football tournament on the globe.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Ghana finally secured its first ever ticket for the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006 where an excellent performance by the debutants saw them as the only Africa side to reach the second round.
This surely catapulted the country’s football to another level, and since then the Black Stars have become so attractive that many great football nations are itching to engage them in friendlies.
But the fact that the qualifying match against Libya is being played on home soil does not guarantee victory for the nation. They have to work hard for victory, something coach Sellas Tetteh admits, and says, “We shall surely do it”.
Fortunately for the team, there are no injuries in camp and the strong support they are expected to enjoy in Kumasi tomorrow should be enough to propel them to deliver.
Ghana’s greatest strength lies in the middle department of the game where Essien and Muntari are a powerful two-man horse.
Muntari’s incredible talent, which had seen him turn out several virtuoso performances for the team, should tell positively on the game.
The attack to feature Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Junior Agogo and Haminu Draman should be strong enough to dismantle any barrier that the Libyans will mount in front of their goal.
For skipper John Mensah, he cannot but galvanise his colleagues into action to prove to all that there is no turning back.
MICHAEL Essien arrived yesterday afternoon at the Black Stars camp in Kumasi for tomorrow’s opening group game against Libya in the world cup qualifiers.
Essien comes into camp with Tuinisia-based Moussa Narry, who has been given a late call-up to replace veteran defender Kofi Amponsah, who could not make it to camp.
Essien is the fulcrum of the midfield and all attention will be on him to orchestrate that department of the team.
For the millions of expectant Ghanaians even a draw would be a nightmare, especially as the team faces a side whose pedigree comes nowhere near the Ghanaians.
Notwithstanding the great expectations of the home fans, the high spirits in the camp of the Libyans speak of a side that is bidding to hand the Stars a surprise defeat.
The fact that they have been rated underdogs seems to have ignited their spirit and given them the impetus to plan a strategy to subdue the Ghanaians.
For the players who will line up for Ghana tomorrow, they know that the nation expects nothing but victory.
That is why coach Sellas Tetteh promised that they would go all out for victory. He cannot take things for granted, for Ghanaians are in no mood for anything apart from a good cushion to the World Cup finals, which must start tomorrow as Ghana launches another bid for a place in the biggest football tournament on the globe.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Ghana finally secured its first ever ticket for the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006 where an excellent performance by the debutants saw them as the only Africa side to reach the second round.
This surely catapulted the country’s football to another level, and since then the Black Stars have become so attractive that many great football nations are itching to engage them in friendlies.
But the fact that the qualifying match against Libya is being played on home soil does not guarantee victory for the nation. They have to work hard for victory, something coach Sellas Tetteh admits, and says, “We shall surely do it”.
Fortunately for the team, there are no injuries in camp and the strong support they are expected to enjoy in Kumasi tomorrow should be enough to propel them to deliver.
Ghana’s greatest strength lies in the middle department of the game where Essien and Muntari are a powerful two-man horse.
Muntari’s incredible talent, which had seen him turn out several virtuoso performances for the team, should tell positively on the game.
The attack to feature Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Junior Agogo and Haminu Draman should be strong enough to dismantle any barrier that the Libyans will mount in front of their goal.
For skipper John Mensah, he cannot but galvanise his colleagues into action to prove to all that there is no turning back.
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