CARETAKER coach, Sellas Tetteh, has the challenging task of getting the Black Stars to a good start in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for South Afrca 2010.
The exit of Frenchman Claude Le Roy as coach and the failure of the FA to get a replacement before the qualifiers, has forced assistant coach Sellas to take over the mantle, albeit temporarily.
And when he leads the team onto the turf at the Baba Yara Stadium against Libya on Sunday, he has the chance to, at least, state a case for Ghanaian coaches.
The 21 million plus Ghanaians hope that the Black Stars will take a leap that carries the weight of expectation as the nation chases a second consecutive World Cup appearance.Traditionally, the first game in tournaments of such nature is very important, and the mood in the Ghanaian camp testifies to this.
Coach Tetteh acknowledges the degree of importance of the match when he told the Graphic Sports at the Golden Tulip Kumasi City where the team is lodging, “My number one priority is to get the team to a good start, and all other things will follow.”
“The World Cup qualifiers are a very long journey but we need a very good take-off”, the coach said.
Already, some commentators are asking whether the Libyans, who have a second rate pedigree in Africa, may be able to overcome the deficiencies to run the Black Stars off their feet.
True, the Libyans may lack the skills and power of the Black Stars, but the potential to launch a physical assault that may wear down the Ghanaians is there. In fact, they may come with all guns blazing.
Sellas displayed a lot of modesty when he told this reporter that “I have some respect for the Libyans who have 95 per cent of the team playing in the local league.”
The changing face of football had resulted in many shocking defeats to teams considered overwhelming favourites. Over the years, Libya had improved technically and their knowledge of the game had seen some upswing. That is why Sellas thinks it is always dangerous to underrate teams considered underdogs.
“We are never going to underrate Libya in any way, and I promise we will go all out”, the coach said.
The industry in the Black Stars can be traced to the long playing period, and when the telepathic
understanding manifests, the team could go for a very good score line.
With the exception of Kofi Amponsah who could not respond to the national call, the entire team
including Prince Tagoe that was called up at the last minute is in place ready to do battle.
Chelsea’s Michael Essien was expected in Kumasi later in the morning to join the team to complete the squad.
Defensive anchor, skipper John Mensah who exudes so much confidence at the rear, has the ability to
organise the back to cut out any threat from the opponents.
The coach appeared to have a lot of respect for the local component in the team and it will not be
surprising if Asante Kotoko’s left back Harrison Afful gets a place in the starting line-up.
“Harrison has been a revelation and I think we have to give more opportunities to the local players”, the Ghanaian coach said.
With Sule Muntari, Manuel Junior Agogo, Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Haminu Dramani and others ready to do battle, expectations are high as thousands of fans in Kumasi get ready to give the needed support on Sunday.
Friday, May 30, 2008
MANHYIA PALACE THROWS LIGHT ON MIM CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIR (PAGE 21)
THE Manhyia Palace has stated that the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has accepted the abdication of Nana Appiah Kusi Brempong better known as Nana Osei Assibey, the Mimhene, during the last meeting of the Asanteman Council in Kumasi, and did not destool him.
Reacting to a Daily Graphic report, which stated that Nana Kusi Brempong had been destooled, the Media Relations Manager of the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, said the chief announced his abdication at the meeting and Otumfuo accepted it.
“This was in line with the Asante tradition and custom, and I think it will set the records straight,” he said.
Mr Osei-Antwi said Otumfuo moved to resolve the age-old dispute between the two factions in the dispute, namely Nana Kusi Brempong and Okofrobour Yaw Agyei II, over who was the rightful occupant of the Mim stool in order to bring peace to the area.
He said the parties appeared before the Otumfuo at various meetings of the Asanteman Council, and at the last meeting, Nana Kusi Brempong ended it all by announcing his abdication to pave way for peace in the area.
Mr Osei-Antwi stated that Nana Kusi Brempong rooted his decision through the Tepahene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem.
“Otumfuo, in his wisdom, accepted the decision and now peace has returned to Mim,” he said.
Reacting to a Daily Graphic report, which stated that Nana Kusi Brempong had been destooled, the Media Relations Manager of the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, said the chief announced his abdication at the meeting and Otumfuo accepted it.
“This was in line with the Asante tradition and custom, and I think it will set the records straight,” he said.
Mr Osei-Antwi said Otumfuo moved to resolve the age-old dispute between the two factions in the dispute, namely Nana Kusi Brempong and Okofrobour Yaw Agyei II, over who was the rightful occupant of the Mim stool in order to bring peace to the area.
He said the parties appeared before the Otumfuo at various meetings of the Asanteman Council, and at the last meeting, Nana Kusi Brempong ended it all by announcing his abdication to pave way for peace in the area.
Mr Osei-Antwi stated that Nana Kusi Brempong rooted his decision through the Tepahene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem.
“Otumfuo, in his wisdom, accepted the decision and now peace has returned to Mim,” he said.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
250 GOLFERS FOR OTUMFUO OPEN TOURNEY (PAGE 71)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
DEFENDING champion, Osei Kwadwo of the Kumasi Golf Club, would seek to defend his championship when about 250 golfers from Ghana and other parts of West Africa converge in Kumasi from today for the Otumfuo Open Golf tournament.
The tournament, considered the biggest in the golfing calendar of the country, has Gulder, a premium brand of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, as the major sponsors. The professional event, which tees off at the beautiful course of the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi today will be played 72 holes over two days.
It is attracting 38 participants, four of them from Liberia, and one each from Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, with the remaining coming from Ghana. Strong among the professionals are Paul Nyarko of Kumasi, Amos Koblah from Achimota, Kojo Barnie from Kumasi, Victor Brave Mensah of Tema and Rodriguez from Damang.
For the amateur event, to be played 36 holes over two days beginning Saturday, Osei Kwadwo will receive stiff competition from Awudu Houller of Kumasi, George Osei from Takoradi and George Sai of Achimota.
The Ladies event, which includes four participants from Cote d’Ivoire, will feature strongly Florence Etwi-Barima of Tema, Grace Afriyie of Tema, Felicity Gyeabour of Kumasi and Victoria Agyei of Achimota.
The Captain of Royal Gold Club, Mr B.B. Appiah, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will officially open the tournament tomorrow.
He said it was the first time in the history of golf in the country that GH¢8,000 had been put up for the professional event.
“This shows the importance of the Otumfuo Open”, he said.
He promised an event full of action and commended the sponsors for supporting the event.
DEFENDING champion, Osei Kwadwo of the Kumasi Golf Club, would seek to defend his championship when about 250 golfers from Ghana and other parts of West Africa converge in Kumasi from today for the Otumfuo Open Golf tournament.
The tournament, considered the biggest in the golfing calendar of the country, has Gulder, a premium brand of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, as the major sponsors. The professional event, which tees off at the beautiful course of the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi today will be played 72 holes over two days.
It is attracting 38 participants, four of them from Liberia, and one each from Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, with the remaining coming from Ghana. Strong among the professionals are Paul Nyarko of Kumasi, Amos Koblah from Achimota, Kojo Barnie from Kumasi, Victor Brave Mensah of Tema and Rodriguez from Damang.
For the amateur event, to be played 36 holes over two days beginning Saturday, Osei Kwadwo will receive stiff competition from Awudu Houller of Kumasi, George Osei from Takoradi and George Sai of Achimota.
The Ladies event, which includes four participants from Cote d’Ivoire, will feature strongly Florence Etwi-Barima of Tema, Grace Afriyie of Tema, Felicity Gyeabour of Kumasi and Victoria Agyei of Achimota.
The Captain of Royal Gold Club, Mr B.B. Appiah, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will officially open the tournament tomorrow.
He said it was the first time in the history of golf in the country that GH¢8,000 had been put up for the professional event.
“This shows the importance of the Otumfuo Open”, he said.
He promised an event full of action and commended the sponsors for supporting the event.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
KOTOKO HIT JACKPOT (LEAD STORY, GRAPHIC SPORTS)
KUMASI Asante Kotoko failed to secure the maximum three points at stake at the Baba Yara Stadium last Sunday but grossed a record GH¢ 210,000 (¢2.1 billion), the highest gate proceeds ever at any stadium in the country.
Typical of Kotoko-Hearts matches, the crowd was very thick. Indeed the stadium was virtually filled to capacity, and no wonder the huge amount was realised from the gates to make up for the sullen faces that the supporters of the Porcupine Warriors wore after the match.
The gate proceeds aside, it was also great spectatoring on the afternoon as the fans conducted themselves so well to make football the winner. When even they felt FIFA referee William Agbovi was taking controversial decisions, they resorted to booing to express their displeasure, which many saw as normal.
With about 80 percent of the fans rooting for Asante Kotoko, the atmosphere would have been very intimidating for any other side. But Hearts of Oak, who are traditional performers at the Baba Yara Stadium, had other ideas. And they lived up to history by snatching a valuable point when poor form all year had led the pundits to write them off as 5-1 underdogs.
Hearts have been a sorry sight this year, having been pummelled left and right by even so-called smaller clubs.
Expectations in Kumasi were, therefore, huge for Kotoko, and when the players sporting brand new tiGo jerseys trotted onto the turf, a cacophony of noise vibrated through the main bowl of the stadium. Hearts of Oak were also not left out of the pre-match drama as their fans went into unstoppable drumming and singing.
Kotoko could have gone up by at least two goals in the first ten minutes if they had remained focused in front of goal. But poor shooting and hard tackling
from the Hearts back four of Hassan, Ofei, Coleman and Vardis kept danger at bay.
Many were expecting a repeat of the Coleman-Bekoe first round drama where the defender followed the striker all over the 90 minutes, even when the leading striker was listening to instructions from his coach at the touchline.
Coleman maintained that he wanted the game to flow naturally, but in Vardis, Bekoe found another rough customer. Showing his immense talent in goal scoring, Bekoe
managed to score against Hearts, and, in celebration, he lifted his eyes and hands into the heavens to give praise to God as he claimed Hearts supporters had claimed he could never score against the club whilst with Kotoko.
Kotoko appeared swift on the attack with Oduro supplying the needed balls to the front men, but the final delivery was always a problem. Their Achilles Heels was at the back and they were exposed by the Hearts attack where Don Bortey played excellently.
The defensive pair of Richard Manu and George Asare failed to click, and had Hearts showed seriousness they could have scored from counter attacks.
Sorely missed by Kotoko was Harrison Afful whose absence as a result of national duty, disabled the left back position from where he engineers many of the attacks of the team.
Beleaguered coach Eyal Lachman said his game plan was to tighten up the middle and try to catch Kotoko on the break. And it was a relief for the coach whose selection had been criticised by Hearts supporters and even some management and board members.
Typical of Kotoko-Hearts matches, the crowd was very thick. Indeed the stadium was virtually filled to capacity, and no wonder the huge amount was realised from the gates to make up for the sullen faces that the supporters of the Porcupine Warriors wore after the match.
The gate proceeds aside, it was also great spectatoring on the afternoon as the fans conducted themselves so well to make football the winner. When even they felt FIFA referee William Agbovi was taking controversial decisions, they resorted to booing to express their displeasure, which many saw as normal.
With about 80 percent of the fans rooting for Asante Kotoko, the atmosphere would have been very intimidating for any other side. But Hearts of Oak, who are traditional performers at the Baba Yara Stadium, had other ideas. And they lived up to history by snatching a valuable point when poor form all year had led the pundits to write them off as 5-1 underdogs.
Hearts have been a sorry sight this year, having been pummelled left and right by even so-called smaller clubs.
Expectations in Kumasi were, therefore, huge for Kotoko, and when the players sporting brand new tiGo jerseys trotted onto the turf, a cacophony of noise vibrated through the main bowl of the stadium. Hearts of Oak were also not left out of the pre-match drama as their fans went into unstoppable drumming and singing.
Kotoko could have gone up by at least two goals in the first ten minutes if they had remained focused in front of goal. But poor shooting and hard tackling
from the Hearts back four of Hassan, Ofei, Coleman and Vardis kept danger at bay.
Many were expecting a repeat of the Coleman-Bekoe first round drama where the defender followed the striker all over the 90 minutes, even when the leading striker was listening to instructions from his coach at the touchline.
Coleman maintained that he wanted the game to flow naturally, but in Vardis, Bekoe found another rough customer. Showing his immense talent in goal scoring, Bekoe
managed to score against Hearts, and, in celebration, he lifted his eyes and hands into the heavens to give praise to God as he claimed Hearts supporters had claimed he could never score against the club whilst with Kotoko.
Kotoko appeared swift on the attack with Oduro supplying the needed balls to the front men, but the final delivery was always a problem. Their Achilles Heels was at the back and they were exposed by the Hearts attack where Don Bortey played excellently.
The defensive pair of Richard Manu and George Asare failed to click, and had Hearts showed seriousness they could have scored from counter attacks.
Sorely missed by Kotoko was Harrison Afful whose absence as a result of national duty, disabled the left back position from where he engineers many of the attacks of the team.
Beleaguered coach Eyal Lachman said his game plan was to tighten up the middle and try to catch Kotoko on the break. And it was a relief for the coach whose selection had been criticised by Hearts supporters and even some management and board members.
NPP BANTAMA RE-ELECTS ABENA DAPAAH (PAGE 17)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has been re-elected by acclamation as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the December elections.
This took place in Kumasi yesterday after her main contender, Mr Robert Baffour-Awuah, failed to get the approval of the party’s national executive committee to contest.
At the Melody Hotel at Kropo in Kumasi where the acclamation took place, delegates burst into cheers and sang party songs as officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) who supervised the event declared that Ms Dapaah was the duly elected nominee of the NPP for the December parliamentary elections.
Ms Dapaah herself was all smiles and waved a white handkerchief to signal what she described as victory for the NPP.
The MP, who is also the Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, said in her post-election speech that she was worried about the way the primary was delayed but thanked God that everything had come to a fruitful conclusion.
She pointed out that their only political foe was the NDC, which “we must work hard to uproot once and for all”.
Ms Dapaah said she had absolute faith in the national, regional and constituency executives of the NPP and hoped they were all involved in the decision that led to the organisation of the primary.
The MP said, “The NPP stands for truth and the rule of law and I am proud to be a member of this great party.”
She promised to do everything to unite the party, and therefore asked anybody she had offended to forgive, her as she had also forgiven those who had offended her.
The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Sam Cudjoe, who officially declared Ms Dapaah as the nominee, said the party was hopeful she would work hard to win massively in the elections.
He called for total support for the candidate to enable her deliver.
The Bantama Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Mr H.K. Kokofu, said the party was going into the election to win massively.
He said they would take keen interest in the voter registration exercise to ensure that all party supporters registered to vote in December.
The former Regional Chairman of the party, Mr F.F. Anto, said it was important that party members operated within the rules and regulations governing various activities of the party.,
He noted that winning an election for the third consecutive time was always a difficult situation, and as such demanded hard work and dedication from all.
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has been re-elected by acclamation as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the December elections.
This took place in Kumasi yesterday after her main contender, Mr Robert Baffour-Awuah, failed to get the approval of the party’s national executive committee to contest.
At the Melody Hotel at Kropo in Kumasi where the acclamation took place, delegates burst into cheers and sang party songs as officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) who supervised the event declared that Ms Dapaah was the duly elected nominee of the NPP for the December parliamentary elections.
Ms Dapaah herself was all smiles and waved a white handkerchief to signal what she described as victory for the NPP.
The MP, who is also the Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, said in her post-election speech that she was worried about the way the primary was delayed but thanked God that everything had come to a fruitful conclusion.
She pointed out that their only political foe was the NDC, which “we must work hard to uproot once and for all”.
Ms Dapaah said she had absolute faith in the national, regional and constituency executives of the NPP and hoped they were all involved in the decision that led to the organisation of the primary.
The MP said, “The NPP stands for truth and the rule of law and I am proud to be a member of this great party.”
She promised to do everything to unite the party, and therefore asked anybody she had offended to forgive, her as she had also forgiven those who had offended her.
The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Sam Cudjoe, who officially declared Ms Dapaah as the nominee, said the party was hopeful she would work hard to win massively in the elections.
He called for total support for the candidate to enable her deliver.
The Bantama Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Mr H.K. Kokofu, said the party was going into the election to win massively.
He said they would take keen interest in the voter registration exercise to ensure that all party supporters registered to vote in December.
The former Regional Chairman of the party, Mr F.F. Anto, said it was important that party members operated within the rules and regulations governing various activities of the party.,
He noted that winning an election for the third consecutive time was always a difficult situation, and as such demanded hard work and dedication from all.
Monday, May 26, 2008
NARROW ESCAPE FOR KOTOKO (BACK PAGE)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
ACCRA Hearts of Oak defied the form guide to hold Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 3-3 draw in an outstanding Onetouch Premier League match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
In an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium filed to capacity, Hearts fought from a goal down in just 10 minutes to twice take the lead before Kotoko clawed back the third goal to level the final score.
Having performed abysmally all season, many had written the Phobians off before the match, but in characteristic fashion they held their own against their arch-rivals and now-fearsome Asante Kotoko.
Aware of the skilful play of the Porcupine Warriors, Hearts’ modus operandi was to come in physically at the back, and they did it in full force to cut out many ferocious attacks.
Showing false glimpses of what was in store for Hearts, Kotoko roared into the match with unstoppable attacks from the flanks where Jordan Opoku on the left and Francis Akwaffo on the right were a constant threat for Hassan Mohammed and Stephen Ofei.
The hard tackles from the Hearts defence notwithstanding, a goal looked imminent for Kotoko, and it did arrive just 10 minutes into the game when Jordan Opoku, wide on the left, cheekily worked on Coleman before locating Kwadwo Poku in space to crack home powerfully into the near post.
When all thought Hearts would break up for more goals, they concentrated and tried to avoid mistakes at the rear. Their comeback was swift. A free kick near the Kotoko area in the 14th minute saw Bernard Dong-Bortey, who played brilliantly on the afternoon, finishing off from a crowded area.
It was a shocker of a goal for Kotoko who had been tipped to run riot, and for a greater part of the game they failed to play to their full potential.
Twice on the 18th and 21st minutes, Dong Bortey came close, signalling danger for Kotoko, but when Kotoko turned on the heat, Vardis had to draw on experience to keep the league’s leading scorer, Eric Bekoe, off scoring range in the 40th minute.
Richard Manu failed to clear following a tussle with Ekow Ghansah in the 41st minute, and the powerful striker maintained his composure to run 35 yards to draw goalkeeper Soulama out of his post before finding the net for Hearts’ second goal.
What a shocker it was for Kotoko, but they organised very well in the middle with Stephen Oduro in full attendance to push Hearts back, which eventually paid off with Bekoe scoring a great goal in the 43rd minute.
All pointed to an afternoon of goals, and Hearts responded again on the stroke of half time with a free kick by Francis Bossman from some 30 yards out, which, like a monsoon, swept through a forest of legs into the net.
Confused keeper Soulma never returned again for the second hallf as Eric Nii Baah took his place.
Always in the thick of events, Oduro capped an afternoon of brilliance with an equalising goal five minutes into the second half.
Coach Bashir Hayford introduced Emmanuel Osei Kuffour into the game in the 52nd minute, replacing Akwaffo, but the former Hearts of Oak offensive midfielder was a bundle of nerves, just like his former teammate at Hearts, Ishmael Addo, who also replaced Bossman in the 66th minute.
FIFA referee William Agbovi had to pull out his yellow card for Hearts’ Dong Bortey (75th), Kofi Abanga (76th) and Ofei (78th) for various offences.
ACCRA Hearts of Oak defied the form guide to hold Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a 3-3 draw in an outstanding Onetouch Premier League match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
In an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium filed to capacity, Hearts fought from a goal down in just 10 minutes to twice take the lead before Kotoko clawed back the third goal to level the final score.
Having performed abysmally all season, many had written the Phobians off before the match, but in characteristic fashion they held their own against their arch-rivals and now-fearsome Asante Kotoko.
Aware of the skilful play of the Porcupine Warriors, Hearts’ modus operandi was to come in physically at the back, and they did it in full force to cut out many ferocious attacks.
Showing false glimpses of what was in store for Hearts, Kotoko roared into the match with unstoppable attacks from the flanks where Jordan Opoku on the left and Francis Akwaffo on the right were a constant threat for Hassan Mohammed and Stephen Ofei.
The hard tackles from the Hearts defence notwithstanding, a goal looked imminent for Kotoko, and it did arrive just 10 minutes into the game when Jordan Opoku, wide on the left, cheekily worked on Coleman before locating Kwadwo Poku in space to crack home powerfully into the near post.
When all thought Hearts would break up for more goals, they concentrated and tried to avoid mistakes at the rear. Their comeback was swift. A free kick near the Kotoko area in the 14th minute saw Bernard Dong-Bortey, who played brilliantly on the afternoon, finishing off from a crowded area.
It was a shocker of a goal for Kotoko who had been tipped to run riot, and for a greater part of the game they failed to play to their full potential.
Twice on the 18th and 21st minutes, Dong Bortey came close, signalling danger for Kotoko, but when Kotoko turned on the heat, Vardis had to draw on experience to keep the league’s leading scorer, Eric Bekoe, off scoring range in the 40th minute.
Richard Manu failed to clear following a tussle with Ekow Ghansah in the 41st minute, and the powerful striker maintained his composure to run 35 yards to draw goalkeeper Soulama out of his post before finding the net for Hearts’ second goal.
What a shocker it was for Kotoko, but they organised very well in the middle with Stephen Oduro in full attendance to push Hearts back, which eventually paid off with Bekoe scoring a great goal in the 43rd minute.
All pointed to an afternoon of goals, and Hearts responded again on the stroke of half time with a free kick by Francis Bossman from some 30 yards out, which, like a monsoon, swept through a forest of legs into the net.
Confused keeper Soulma never returned again for the second hallf as Eric Nii Baah took his place.
Always in the thick of events, Oduro capped an afternoon of brilliance with an equalising goal five minutes into the second half.
Coach Bashir Hayford introduced Emmanuel Osei Kuffour into the game in the 52nd minute, replacing Akwaffo, but the former Hearts of Oak offensive midfielder was a bundle of nerves, just like his former teammate at Hearts, Ishmael Addo, who also replaced Bossman in the 66th minute.
FIFA referee William Agbovi had to pull out his yellow card for Hearts’ Dong Bortey (75th), Kofi Abanga (76th) and Ofei (78th) for various offences.
Friday, May 23, 2008
BANTAMA NPP YOUTH WANT PRIMARY HELD (PAGE 15)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
SOME NPP youth from the Bantama Constituency have called for the immediate organisation of a primary to elect the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the constituency.
The youth said they were aware of subtle attempts to disqualify one of the candidates, Mr Robert Baffour-Awuah, in order to pave the way for the incumbent, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to go unopposed,and warned that such a decision could be a recipe for troubles in the constituency.
Scores of the youth, who staged a brief demonstration to drum home their disappointment twith the way the party leadership were delaying in convening the primary, said they did not care who won the primary.
“All that we want is that this time round a primary is organised for us to elect a parliamentary candidate,” Mr Prince Acheampong, the public relations officer (PRO) of the youth wing in the constituency, told the Daily Graphic.
Mr Acheampong said they decided to make the demonstration peaceful as a first step but warned that “there could be Bekwai number two here at Bantama if the right thing is not done by calling the primary”.
Mr Acheampong alleged that they had authentic information that Ms Dapaah, who is also the Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, had engineered allegations that Mr Baffour-Awuah had not been paying his party dues, and as a result the party was bent on disqualifying him on that.
“But records available at the constituency office where the MP’s own brother is the secretary indicate that Mr Baffour Awuah is in good standing so we are wondering why they keep delaying the primary,” he said.
Mr Acheampong said since 1992, the NPP at Bantama had not had a parliamentary primary to elect a candidate.
Dr Richard Anane went unopposed while Ms Dapaah had the same opportunity.
“This time round, we want to depart from that practice because it has not helped us,” Mr Acheampong said.
The youth PRO accused the Constituency Chairman, Mr H.K. Kokofu, of bending the rules of the game by openly declaring his support for Ms Dapaah.
“In fact he has become the PRO for the MP, which compromises his position as party chairman,” he said, and added that by his action, the chairman could not be trusted again.
He rejected claims by the MP that she had done a lot to develop the constituency.
Mr Acheampong asked that if it were so “why is she afraid of contesting with others?”
Efforts to contact both Mr Baffour-Awuah and the constituency chairman proved futile as they were said to be in a meeting at the NPP headquarters in Accra.
SOME NPP youth from the Bantama Constituency have called for the immediate organisation of a primary to elect the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the constituency.
The youth said they were aware of subtle attempts to disqualify one of the candidates, Mr Robert Baffour-Awuah, in order to pave the way for the incumbent, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to go unopposed,and warned that such a decision could be a recipe for troubles in the constituency.
Scores of the youth, who staged a brief demonstration to drum home their disappointment twith the way the party leadership were delaying in convening the primary, said they did not care who won the primary.
“All that we want is that this time round a primary is organised for us to elect a parliamentary candidate,” Mr Prince Acheampong, the public relations officer (PRO) of the youth wing in the constituency, told the Daily Graphic.
Mr Acheampong said they decided to make the demonstration peaceful as a first step but warned that “there could be Bekwai number two here at Bantama if the right thing is not done by calling the primary”.
Mr Acheampong alleged that they had authentic information that Ms Dapaah, who is also the Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, had engineered allegations that Mr Baffour-Awuah had not been paying his party dues, and as a result the party was bent on disqualifying him on that.
“But records available at the constituency office where the MP’s own brother is the secretary indicate that Mr Baffour Awuah is in good standing so we are wondering why they keep delaying the primary,” he said.
Mr Acheampong said since 1992, the NPP at Bantama had not had a parliamentary primary to elect a candidate.
Dr Richard Anane went unopposed while Ms Dapaah had the same opportunity.
“This time round, we want to depart from that practice because it has not helped us,” Mr Acheampong said.
The youth PRO accused the Constituency Chairman, Mr H.K. Kokofu, of bending the rules of the game by openly declaring his support for Ms Dapaah.
“In fact he has become the PRO for the MP, which compromises his position as party chairman,” he said, and added that by his action, the chairman could not be trusted again.
He rejected claims by the MP that she had done a lot to develop the constituency.
Mr Acheampong asked that if it were so “why is she afraid of contesting with others?”
Efforts to contact both Mr Baffour-Awuah and the constituency chairman proved futile as they were said to be in a meeting at the NPP headquarters in Accra.
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