KING Faisal staged an astonishing second half performance to clinch a 3-1 victory over Liberty Professionals at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday.
So swift were Faisal that Liberty were constantly in trouble in the second half.
Twice in the second and sixth minutes, Faisal’s Bashiru Osman came very close to scoring, but wasted the opportunities.
Liberty, who came into the picture with some brilliant moves along the flanks, went up after 31 minutes when defender Emmanuel Osei blasted the ball home after Daniel Yeboah had placed the ball in his path from a free kick.
Disaster struck Liberty in the 56th minute when defender David Addo was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
The numerical advantage propelled Faisal to launch a barrage of attacks, and they levelled up in the 65th minute through Eric Agyemang.
Five minutes later, Daniel Addo headed Faisal into the lead from a Thomas Avorgbedor corner kick.
Liberty crumbled again under the weight of the Faisal pressure as referee Yakubu Nuru awarded the home side a penalty in the 78th minute, which Abraham Basit coveted.
• It took an 88th minute strike by Nathaniel Asamoah to secure Wa All Stars a 1-0 victory over stubborn Berekum Arsenal in their last Onetouch Premier League match at the Wa Stadium yesterday, reports Chris Nunoo, Wa.
Monday, July 7, 2008
16 PERISH ...10 Others missing as two vehicles plunge into River Offin (LEAD STORY)
SIXTEEN people were killed on the spot, while about 10 others were unaccounted for, when a 207 Mercedes Benz bus crashed into a stationary taxi on a bridge over River Offin, plunging the two vehicles into the river at Amoako, near Boamang in the Ashanti Region.
The town, which is on the Afrancho-Boamang road, was thrown into a state of mourning and anguish when the Mercedes Benz bus and the taxi slumped into the river after the bridge collapsed.
As of press time yesterday, local divers were engaged in frantic efforts to rescue at least 10 other passengers on the bus.
The driver of the bus, with registration number AS 867 Y, apparently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the taxi, before the two vehicles fell into the river.
All those confirmed dead were on the Benz bus.
Thirteen of them, including a one-year-old baby, were males, while the remaining three, including a pregnant one, were females.
Their bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the St Patrick Hospital at Maase, near Offinso.
Since it was constructed by the colonial government over 70 years ago, the dilapidated and narrow bridge had not undergone any rehabilitation and distraught residents accused successive governments of neglect.
Three persons, including the driver of the Benz bus, survived the accident.
One of the survivors, who gave his name as Kwasi Gyamfi, told the Daily Graphic at the St Patrick Hospital that the driver lost control of the vehicle while descending the steep hill towards the bridge.
According to local residents, the Benz bus was heading towards Offinso from Tetrem at about 6.30 a.m.
Most of the passengers on board were Muslims who were on their way to a funeral at Kayera, near Offinso.
The KIA Pride taxi, with registration number As 2292 Z, was also heading towards Boamang.
When the taxi driver saw the Benz bus speeding unsteadily while descending the hill, he sensed danger and stopped on the bridge, got off the taxi and fled to a safe place.
According to eyewitnesses, the Benz bus crashed into the empty taxi, sending the two vehicles into the river.
Local residents who went to the scene managed to rescue three people, while 16 others were taken out of the river dead.
Personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were on location to help in the rescue efforts.
The town, which is on the Afrancho-Boamang road, was thrown into a state of mourning and anguish when the Mercedes Benz bus and the taxi slumped into the river after the bridge collapsed.
As of press time yesterday, local divers were engaged in frantic efforts to rescue at least 10 other passengers on the bus.
The driver of the bus, with registration number AS 867 Y, apparently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the taxi, before the two vehicles fell into the river.
All those confirmed dead were on the Benz bus.
Thirteen of them, including a one-year-old baby, were males, while the remaining three, including a pregnant one, were females.
Their bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the St Patrick Hospital at Maase, near Offinso.
Since it was constructed by the colonial government over 70 years ago, the dilapidated and narrow bridge had not undergone any rehabilitation and distraught residents accused successive governments of neglect.
Three persons, including the driver of the Benz bus, survived the accident.
One of the survivors, who gave his name as Kwasi Gyamfi, told the Daily Graphic at the St Patrick Hospital that the driver lost control of the vehicle while descending the steep hill towards the bridge.
According to local residents, the Benz bus was heading towards Offinso from Tetrem at about 6.30 a.m.
Most of the passengers on board were Muslims who were on their way to a funeral at Kayera, near Offinso.
The KIA Pride taxi, with registration number As 2292 Z, was also heading towards Boamang.
When the taxi driver saw the Benz bus speeding unsteadily while descending the hill, he sensed danger and stopped on the bridge, got off the taxi and fled to a safe place.
According to eyewitnesses, the Benz bus crashed into the empty taxi, sending the two vehicles into the river.
Local residents who went to the scene managed to rescue three people, while 16 others were taken out of the river dead.
Personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were on location to help in the rescue efforts.
Friday, July 4, 2008
NO POLITICS WITH YA NA'S MURDER (PAGE 3)
THE Kumbungu Naa, Na Yiri II, has cautioned against attempts to play politics with the death of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.
He stated that since the dastardly act, no chief from Dagbon had accused the government of complicity in the killing and, therefore, appealed to politicians to allow mediation efforts on the crisis by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his team of eminent chiefs to proceed without any hindrances.
Na Yiri yesterday told journalists at the Manhyia Palace, where he is assisting the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to find a lasting solution to the Dagbon crisis, that nothing debarred anyone from making genuine comments on the death of the Dagbon King.
He said he did not hear the statements made last Tuesday by former President Rawlings in connection with the murder of the Ya Na and added that Flt Lt Rawlings would be the best person to give an explanation to his statements.
Na Yiri noted that there was a criminal aspect to the Ya-Na’s murder "and we expect the government to get to the bottom of it".
On the mediation efforts at the Manhyia Palace, he said Otumfuo and his team were doing a wonderful work that must be supported by all to bring peace to Dagbon.
Last Wednesday the Abudus presented a programme for the funeral of the former Ya Na, the late Na Mahamadu Abdulai, which the Andanis decided to study for their response today.
Na Yiri said for the first time since the crisis broke out, the gap between the two factions had been narrowed.
"We talk to one another even after the meetings and this is a good sign," he said.
He observed that in trying to reach any acceptable solution to the issue, there was the need to apply the customs and traditions of Dagbon, as Otumfuo and his team were doing.
He blamed "some non-royals of Dagbon" for fuelling the conflict and said that would not help anybody.
Na Yiri appealed to all to show love to one another because at the end of the day it was Dagbon that would suffer if the conflict continued.
He stated that since the dastardly act, no chief from Dagbon had accused the government of complicity in the killing and, therefore, appealed to politicians to allow mediation efforts on the crisis by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his team of eminent chiefs to proceed without any hindrances.
Na Yiri yesterday told journalists at the Manhyia Palace, where he is assisting the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to find a lasting solution to the Dagbon crisis, that nothing debarred anyone from making genuine comments on the death of the Dagbon King.
He said he did not hear the statements made last Tuesday by former President Rawlings in connection with the murder of the Ya Na and added that Flt Lt Rawlings would be the best person to give an explanation to his statements.
Na Yiri noted that there was a criminal aspect to the Ya-Na’s murder "and we expect the government to get to the bottom of it".
On the mediation efforts at the Manhyia Palace, he said Otumfuo and his team were doing a wonderful work that must be supported by all to bring peace to Dagbon.
Last Wednesday the Abudus presented a programme for the funeral of the former Ya Na, the late Na Mahamadu Abdulai, which the Andanis decided to study for their response today.
Na Yiri said for the first time since the crisis broke out, the gap between the two factions had been narrowed.
"We talk to one another even after the meetings and this is a good sign," he said.
He observed that in trying to reach any acceptable solution to the issue, there was the need to apply the customs and traditions of Dagbon, as Otumfuo and his team were doing.
He blamed "some non-royals of Dagbon" for fuelling the conflict and said that would not help anybody.
Na Yiri appealed to all to show love to one another because at the end of the day it was Dagbon that would suffer if the conflict continued.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
RAINS EXPOSE POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN KUMASI (PAGE 29)
THE beginning of the rains has brought to the fore the inappropriateness of the drainage systems in Kumasi.
Indeed, for many residents of the metropolis, the heavy flooding that has become synonymous with Accra is replicating itself in Kumasi and unless a positive action is taken by the authorities something terrible could happen in the city soon.
The frontiers of the city keeps expanding so fast that the city authorities are finding it very difficult to get the needed resources to provide the required drainage systems.
The result is that hitherto safe areas have started experiencing one form of flooding or the other while nothing has been done to flood prone areas.
In fact, for the first time the Kumasi Central Market has been experiencing serious flooding. This year the area has witnessed three of such floods, resulting in massive destruction to property.
In the first flood which happened about a month ago in the night , traders woke up to find their wares, mostly wax prints destroyed.
And just last week another heavy rain caused a similar destruction in the market.
No one needs an expert to establish that the flooding in the market has been the result of choked drains within and outside the market.
The decision to dump all manner of garbage into the open drains has been a disturbing phenomenon in the metropolis but the increasing dimension which the practice has taken is what has compounded the situation.
Clearly, many of the people, especially the women who operate in the market, are the worst offenders.
Instead of engaging people to convey the garbage they create to the refuse dumps, they choose to dump them in the drains, which eventually choke the systems. Any heavy rains are therefore likely to create flooding of the market.
The Kumasi Central Market lacks proper planning. Built several years ago, the market has outlived its usefulness and today the city is crying for a new market to befit its status.
About five years ago, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) announced the decision to construct a new central market under the Build Operate and Transfer system.
However, it looks like it was only a dream that is not likely to come to fruition in the nearest future.
Apart from the Central market, many other areas are crying for proper drainage systems to reduce the flooding. Areas like Ala Bar, Oforikrom, Ahensan, Atonsu, Adiembra, Airport Roundabout and many others are in serious need of proper drainage systems.
Just last week, a man drowned in an overflowing drainage system at the Labour Roundabout. The deceased had apparently miscalculated the power of the waters in the drains and attempted to cross it but he was swept away.
Some of the buildings are almost always submerged by floodwaters when it rains heavily. Yet, occupants would move back into them when the waters subside.
Haphazard construction continue to be the bane of the city even though the authorities have persistently drummed home their resolve to tackle the situation head on.
Last year, the KMA spent a huge sum of money to demolish some unauthorised structures in the metropolis. Some of these structures restricted the free movement of rainwater. Unfortunately, however, some of the structures have started springing up again.
For how long can we continue to tolerate indiscipline in the society?
Perhaps the time has come for the KMA to bite very hard because many people do not take the assembly seriously.
Again the assembly has decided to embark on a demolition exercise of buildings in watercourses as a way of addressing the regular flooding in some areas.
We need to look at this decision from two angles. One is whether the authorities will have the political will to implement that decision and two, whether that could be the permanent solution to the problem.
Recently, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) began a similar demolition exercise. The AMA earmarked about 200 houses for demolition in some parts of the city but had to stop just a day after the exercise began.
Later, the assembly indicated that it was no more going to continue the exercise, and that it had decided to improve the drainage systems in the flood-prone areas as a permanent solution.
I am beginning to think that it will be very difficult for the KMA to undertake any demolition exercise, especially looking at the peculiar nature of Kumasi.
Perhaps, the KMA could take a cue from the Accra experience and start adopting workable measures to address the situation.
Last week Friday the Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) warned that there would be heavy rains in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs during the weekend.
It, therefore, warned the people, especially those staying around flood prone areas, to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent flood related disasters.
A statement issued in Kumasi last Friday said a weather warning from the Ghana Meteorological Services Agency predicted that Kumasi metropolis and its environs would experience heavy and continuous downpour.
It said it was, therefore, important for residents, especially those in flood prone areas, to take necessary steps to prevent any unfortunate situation which might be caused by the floods.
The statement advised parents to monitor activities of their children to avoid being carried away by running waters in gutters.
It also advised residents to contact the military, fire service, the police and NADMO personnel in case of any emergency on telephone numbers 051-24088, 22221, 22222, 22322 or 020-8172193 for assistance.
Indeed, for many residents of the metropolis, the heavy flooding that has become synonymous with Accra is replicating itself in Kumasi and unless a positive action is taken by the authorities something terrible could happen in the city soon.
The frontiers of the city keeps expanding so fast that the city authorities are finding it very difficult to get the needed resources to provide the required drainage systems.
The result is that hitherto safe areas have started experiencing one form of flooding or the other while nothing has been done to flood prone areas.
In fact, for the first time the Kumasi Central Market has been experiencing serious flooding. This year the area has witnessed three of such floods, resulting in massive destruction to property.
In the first flood which happened about a month ago in the night , traders woke up to find their wares, mostly wax prints destroyed.
And just last week another heavy rain caused a similar destruction in the market.
No one needs an expert to establish that the flooding in the market has been the result of choked drains within and outside the market.
The decision to dump all manner of garbage into the open drains has been a disturbing phenomenon in the metropolis but the increasing dimension which the practice has taken is what has compounded the situation.
Clearly, many of the people, especially the women who operate in the market, are the worst offenders.
Instead of engaging people to convey the garbage they create to the refuse dumps, they choose to dump them in the drains, which eventually choke the systems. Any heavy rains are therefore likely to create flooding of the market.
The Kumasi Central Market lacks proper planning. Built several years ago, the market has outlived its usefulness and today the city is crying for a new market to befit its status.
About five years ago, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) announced the decision to construct a new central market under the Build Operate and Transfer system.
However, it looks like it was only a dream that is not likely to come to fruition in the nearest future.
Apart from the Central market, many other areas are crying for proper drainage systems to reduce the flooding. Areas like Ala Bar, Oforikrom, Ahensan, Atonsu, Adiembra, Airport Roundabout and many others are in serious need of proper drainage systems.
Just last week, a man drowned in an overflowing drainage system at the Labour Roundabout. The deceased had apparently miscalculated the power of the waters in the drains and attempted to cross it but he was swept away.
Some of the buildings are almost always submerged by floodwaters when it rains heavily. Yet, occupants would move back into them when the waters subside.
Haphazard construction continue to be the bane of the city even though the authorities have persistently drummed home their resolve to tackle the situation head on.
Last year, the KMA spent a huge sum of money to demolish some unauthorised structures in the metropolis. Some of these structures restricted the free movement of rainwater. Unfortunately, however, some of the structures have started springing up again.
For how long can we continue to tolerate indiscipline in the society?
Perhaps the time has come for the KMA to bite very hard because many people do not take the assembly seriously.
Again the assembly has decided to embark on a demolition exercise of buildings in watercourses as a way of addressing the regular flooding in some areas.
We need to look at this decision from two angles. One is whether the authorities will have the political will to implement that decision and two, whether that could be the permanent solution to the problem.
Recently, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) began a similar demolition exercise. The AMA earmarked about 200 houses for demolition in some parts of the city but had to stop just a day after the exercise began.
Later, the assembly indicated that it was no more going to continue the exercise, and that it had decided to improve the drainage systems in the flood-prone areas as a permanent solution.
I am beginning to think that it will be very difficult for the KMA to undertake any demolition exercise, especially looking at the peculiar nature of Kumasi.
Perhaps, the KMA could take a cue from the Accra experience and start adopting workable measures to address the situation.
Last week Friday the Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) warned that there would be heavy rains in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs during the weekend.
It, therefore, warned the people, especially those staying around flood prone areas, to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent flood related disasters.
A statement issued in Kumasi last Friday said a weather warning from the Ghana Meteorological Services Agency predicted that Kumasi metropolis and its environs would experience heavy and continuous downpour.
It said it was, therefore, important for residents, especially those in flood prone areas, to take necessary steps to prevent any unfortunate situation which might be caused by the floods.
The statement advised parents to monitor activities of their children to avoid being carried away by running waters in gutters.
It also advised residents to contact the military, fire service, the police and NADMO personnel in case of any emergency on telephone numbers 051-24088, 22221, 22222, 22322 or 020-8172193 for assistance.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
FA TO THE AID OF ADASI-FOFIE (PAGE 16)
EIGHT years after the predicament of former Black Stars player, Ben Adasi-Fofie was made public, courtesy the Graphic Sports, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has finally responded with a quarterly financial assistance of GH¢100 for him.
"I have received the first quarterly allocation and I'm now waiting for that of the second quarter", the 73-year-old former offensive midfielder told this reporter at his residence at Sunyani as he sat in his wheelchair.
Even though the amount looks meagre in view of the services the ex-player rendered to his nation, he says. "It is better than none".
Adasi-Fofie, the first player from the Brong Ahafo Region to wear the national jersey, had his left leg amputated at the Sunyani Hospital after a battle with ischaemia cancer.
On May 5, 2000, the Graphic Sports, revealed his miserable state with a banner headline, "The leg that pulled the crowd now amputated".
Eight years afterwards, this reporter, who broke the former player's story, made a return to his base in Sunyani, and Adasi-Fofie looked cheerful.
He said even though he is now confined to a wheelchair, he was grateful to God that he is still alive.
"This disease could have killed me, so if one of my legs has been amputated, I will give thanks to God who knows best", he said.
He was full of praise for this paper for telling his story for the football fraternity to know his state of health, which led to some few organisations and people responding with various donations.
The ulcer started as a boil in 1998, and according to him he did not take it serious until it became serious, leading to the amputation of the gangrenous leg.
Adasi-Fofie joined B/A United in 1960 and was invited to the Black Stars in 1961.
Between 1961 and 1966, he remained a regular player of the national team which had other players like Wilberforce Mfum, Edward Acquah and Kwame Adarkwa.
He was a member of the Black Stars team that toured Europe in 1961.
Adasi-Fofie retired from active football in 1973.
"I have received the first quarterly allocation and I'm now waiting for that of the second quarter", the 73-year-old former offensive midfielder told this reporter at his residence at Sunyani as he sat in his wheelchair.
Even though the amount looks meagre in view of the services the ex-player rendered to his nation, he says. "It is better than none".
Adasi-Fofie, the first player from the Brong Ahafo Region to wear the national jersey, had his left leg amputated at the Sunyani Hospital after a battle with ischaemia cancer.
On May 5, 2000, the Graphic Sports, revealed his miserable state with a banner headline, "The leg that pulled the crowd now amputated".
Eight years afterwards, this reporter, who broke the former player's story, made a return to his base in Sunyani, and Adasi-Fofie looked cheerful.
He said even though he is now confined to a wheelchair, he was grateful to God that he is still alive.
"This disease could have killed me, so if one of my legs has been amputated, I will give thanks to God who knows best", he said.
He was full of praise for this paper for telling his story for the football fraternity to know his state of health, which led to some few organisations and people responding with various donations.
The ulcer started as a boil in 1998, and according to him he did not take it serious until it became serious, leading to the amputation of the gangrenous leg.
Adasi-Fofie joined B/A United in 1960 and was invited to the Black Stars in 1961.
Between 1961 and 1966, he remained a regular player of the national team which had other players like Wilberforce Mfum, Edward Acquah and Kwame Adarkwa.
He was a member of the Black Stars team that toured Europe in 1961.
Adasi-Fofie retired from active football in 1973.
T. TOMMY HOCKEY TOURNEY HELD IN KUMASI (BACK PAGE)
By Kwame Asare Boadu. Kumasi
This year’s T. Tommy hockey tournament has been held at the Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi.
About 20 hockey teams across the country participated in the annual tournament last Saturday and Sunday.
The tournament is held in memory of the late
T. Tommy, a former national hockey player who died about 20 years ago.
Teams that participated in the tournament included CEPS, Trustees, Exchequers, Golden Sticks, Multi Stix, NDK, Konongo Girls and Kumasi Girls.
Others are Kumasi Seniors, St. Louis, Royals, Unique, Koforidua and Prempeh.
The rest are KNUST, Suhum, Fire Ladies and United Ladies.
The opening game between CEPS and Trustees ended 0-0.
Briefing Graphic Nsempa after the opening match, a member of the tournament planning team, Mr Amoo Gottfried, said the tournament is considered one of the biggest on the hockey calendar of the country.
He promised the participating teams and fans of a successful tournament.
This year’s T. Tommy hockey tournament has been held at the Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi.
About 20 hockey teams across the country participated in the annual tournament last Saturday and Sunday.
The tournament is held in memory of the late
T. Tommy, a former national hockey player who died about 20 years ago.
Teams that participated in the tournament included CEPS, Trustees, Exchequers, Golden Sticks, Multi Stix, NDK, Konongo Girls and Kumasi Girls.
Others are Kumasi Seniors, St. Louis, Royals, Unique, Koforidua and Prempeh.
The rest are KNUST, Suhum, Fire Ladies and United Ladies.
The opening game between CEPS and Trustees ended 0-0.
Briefing Graphic Nsempa after the opening match, a member of the tournament planning team, Mr Amoo Gottfried, said the tournament is considered one of the biggest on the hockey calendar of the country.
He promised the participating teams and fans of a successful tournament.
BA UNITED PIP BOFOAKWA TO WIN CUP (NSEMPA, BACK PAGE)
By Kwame Asare Boadu, Sunyani
B/A United maintained their current superiority over Bofoakwa Tano when they beat them 1-0 in a challenge cup match at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Sunday, June 22.
The match was organised by the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Sunyani East, Mr K. Ameyaw Cheremeh, to raise funds to support the two teams as they prepare for the resumption of the second round of the national first division league.
United, who beat their city rivals by the same margin in the first round of the division one league, found Bofoakwa a hard nut to crack this time as they matched them squarely in the game.
The first half belonged to United who piled up pressure on Bofoakwa using the wings.
However, the chances that went their way were blown away.
The few fans at the park had little to cheer about as the two sides engaged in faulty passes.
When Bofoakwa with old faces like Yaw Kyeremeh, tried to catch United on the break, former Hearts of Oak defender, Dan Oppong, who captained United, did some good work at the back to cut them out.
The second half saw both teams making some changes, and it was Bofoakwa who lifted their game but getting close to shooting range was always a problem.
When all thought the match was heading to a draw, fans of United burst into jubilation as their team took the lead with just some ten minutes to end the match.
It was striker, Seidu Dauda who picked up a pass on the right and run with the ball into the box to it hard into the top right corner of the post.
At the end of the game, Mr Cheremeh presented the cup to skipper Dan Oppong.
B/A United maintained their current superiority over Bofoakwa Tano when they beat them 1-0 in a challenge cup match at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Sunday, June 22.
The match was organised by the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Sunyani East, Mr K. Ameyaw Cheremeh, to raise funds to support the two teams as they prepare for the resumption of the second round of the national first division league.
United, who beat their city rivals by the same margin in the first round of the division one league, found Bofoakwa a hard nut to crack this time as they matched them squarely in the game.
The first half belonged to United who piled up pressure on Bofoakwa using the wings.
However, the chances that went their way were blown away.
The few fans at the park had little to cheer about as the two sides engaged in faulty passes.
When Bofoakwa with old faces like Yaw Kyeremeh, tried to catch United on the break, former Hearts of Oak defender, Dan Oppong, who captained United, did some good work at the back to cut them out.
The second half saw both teams making some changes, and it was Bofoakwa who lifted their game but getting close to shooting range was always a problem.
When all thought the match was heading to a draw, fans of United burst into jubilation as their team took the lead with just some ten minutes to end the match.
It was striker, Seidu Dauda who picked up a pass on the right and run with the ball into the box to it hard into the top right corner of the post.
At the end of the game, Mr Cheremeh presented the cup to skipper Dan Oppong.
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