Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Founder of the Reform Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Mr Kwabena Adjei, has disclosed that the party is taking advantage of Mr Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rope him into the RPD.
“He is a big politician we cannot afford to miss and we are talking with him to join the party,” he said.
Mr Adjei, popularly known as Bambata, told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi that so far the signs of Mr Kyerematen joining the party were very positive and that an announcement could be made in due course.
He said the reasons that led members of the RPD to break away from the NPP also informed Mr Kyerematen’s resignation from the NPP.
“It shows that we are all fighting from a common angle and can move together under the RPD to change the face of politics in the country,” Adjei said.
He said the RPD was aware of manoeuvres by the NPP to get Mr Kyerematen back but said it would be a great political miscalculation for the former NPP presidential aspirant to go back to the party.
Mr Adjei indicated that Mr Kyerematen resigned on principle, saying that he was confident that the former aspirant would keep to his stand.
He said the RPD was poised to make an impact in the 2008 elections but said in the event of the party going into an alliance with any party, it was Mr Kyerematen who would have to lead the negotiations.
Mr Adjei said it was not only Mr Kyerematen who would be joining the RPD but other big names from the NPP, with members of the other political parties following.
He gave the assurance that the party would contest all the parliamentary seats in the country.
The founder said from next week regional congresses would begin, to be followed by the election of parliamentary candidates and a presidential candidate.
“We have capable persons in the constituencies who are ready to represent the party in the parliamentary elections,” Mr Adjei said.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Kotoko begin seasonal haul...IT'S SWAG CUP NO. 11 (GRAPHIC SPORTS, LEAD STORY)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
AFTER solidifying their place in history last Sunday with the eleventh SWAG Cup, Kumasi Asante Kotoko have strengthened their resolve to achieve the double this season.
A massive performance so far in the domestic premiership, and the CAF Confederations Cup in which they play away to Nigeria’s Dolphins FC in a preliminary game this weekend, give testimony to a team with strength in depth and ready to sweep past every opponent.
Bouncing back from a 29th minute leader by Ashanti Gold to win 2-1 last Sunday at Baba Yara Stadium, further powerfully carried Kotoko’s message that they will never allow any team, not even fiercest rivals, Hearts of Oak, to come close to their winning streak in the prestigious SWAG Cup.
Kotoko are drawing on a wealth of talent to prosecute their agenda locally and in Africa but Dolphins could be a big stumbling block if underrated.
To conserve their stature as favourites for qualification for the next stage of the Confederations Cup, the Porcupine Warriors will have to go for a good result against Dolphins in Nigeria as they did against another Nigerian side, Wikki Tourists with whom they drew 2-2 in Bauchi.
Coach Bashir Hayford said of the team after last Sunday victory over Ashgold: “ I am proud of this team”.
“They played to instructions especially in the second half and we deservedly won the match”, Hayford said.
The coach was stating the reality. Even though they had problems in the initial stages of the game, Kotoko were superior in the second part of the match in which they attacked in droves.
But Ashgold coach, Mohammed Gargo who complained about the strange decisions by referee William Agbovi against his side in the match, was less impressed with the way the Kotoko attack failed to convert some good chances that came their way in the second half.
For a side that is so bent on making it big in Africa, Kotoko could take something from Gargo and devise the right strategies to advance their campaign in Africa.
SWAG president, Mr Ackah Anthony, was impressed with the high standard of play exhibited by Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold at the Baba Yara Stadium last Sunday.
“For me it was one the best games witnessed in the SWAG Cup in its long history and it is good for the national game”, he said.
“Our only concern was the unimpressive attendance”, the SWAG president added.
The 40, 231, capacity stadium was just about one-third full in spite of the huge publicity given the match.
In spite of the high standard of football displayed, it was the victors, Asante Kotoko, who had something to cheer about having exorcised the ghost that had haunted them in SWAG cup matches against Ashgold.
Skipper Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and his colleagues beamed with smiles when the regional minister for Ashanti, Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, presented the cup to him.
While Ashgold complained bitterly about the penalty awarded Kotoko just before half time, Kotoko also had a beef with the referee when he ignored what they thought was a penalty for them in the second half.
The Ashgold attack, anchored by the workaholic Alex Asamoah, looked threatening in the first half but faded out a bit in the second half, when the striker started running out of breath after having some rough time with Richard Manu in the heart of the Kotoko defence.
Full of confidence, Ashgold were in full gear in the first half, no wonder they shot into the lead after 29 minutes.
Kotoko missed the striking services of Eric Bekoe but he will be fit for the Africa game against Dolphins.
AFTER solidifying their place in history last Sunday with the eleventh SWAG Cup, Kumasi Asante Kotoko have strengthened their resolve to achieve the double this season.
A massive performance so far in the domestic premiership, and the CAF Confederations Cup in which they play away to Nigeria’s Dolphins FC in a preliminary game this weekend, give testimony to a team with strength in depth and ready to sweep past every opponent.
Bouncing back from a 29th minute leader by Ashanti Gold to win 2-1 last Sunday at Baba Yara Stadium, further powerfully carried Kotoko’s message that they will never allow any team, not even fiercest rivals, Hearts of Oak, to come close to their winning streak in the prestigious SWAG Cup.
Kotoko are drawing on a wealth of talent to prosecute their agenda locally and in Africa but Dolphins could be a big stumbling block if underrated.
To conserve their stature as favourites for qualification for the next stage of the Confederations Cup, the Porcupine Warriors will have to go for a good result against Dolphins in Nigeria as they did against another Nigerian side, Wikki Tourists with whom they drew 2-2 in Bauchi.
Coach Bashir Hayford said of the team after last Sunday victory over Ashgold: “ I am proud of this team”.
“They played to instructions especially in the second half and we deservedly won the match”, Hayford said.
The coach was stating the reality. Even though they had problems in the initial stages of the game, Kotoko were superior in the second part of the match in which they attacked in droves.
But Ashgold coach, Mohammed Gargo who complained about the strange decisions by referee William Agbovi against his side in the match, was less impressed with the way the Kotoko attack failed to convert some good chances that came their way in the second half.
For a side that is so bent on making it big in Africa, Kotoko could take something from Gargo and devise the right strategies to advance their campaign in Africa.
SWAG president, Mr Ackah Anthony, was impressed with the high standard of play exhibited by Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold at the Baba Yara Stadium last Sunday.
“For me it was one the best games witnessed in the SWAG Cup in its long history and it is good for the national game”, he said.
“Our only concern was the unimpressive attendance”, the SWAG president added.
The 40, 231, capacity stadium was just about one-third full in spite of the huge publicity given the match.
In spite of the high standard of football displayed, it was the victors, Asante Kotoko, who had something to cheer about having exorcised the ghost that had haunted them in SWAG cup matches against Ashgold.
Skipper Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and his colleagues beamed with smiles when the regional minister for Ashanti, Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, presented the cup to him.
While Ashgold complained bitterly about the penalty awarded Kotoko just before half time, Kotoko also had a beef with the referee when he ignored what they thought was a penalty for them in the second half.
The Ashgold attack, anchored by the workaholic Alex Asamoah, looked threatening in the first half but faded out a bit in the second half, when the striker started running out of breath after having some rough time with Richard Manu in the heart of the Kotoko defence.
Full of confidence, Ashgold were in full gear in the first half, no wonder they shot into the lead after 29 minutes.
Kotoko missed the striking services of Eric Bekoe but he will be fit for the Africa game against Dolphins.
Monday, April 21, 2008
KOTOKO WIN SWAG CUP (BACK PAGE)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
KUMASI Asante Kotoko staged an astonishing recovery to overcome Ashanti Gold 2-1 in the H.P. Nyemitei Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Cup match. It was Kotoko’s 11th win of the Cup.
The victory, on a sunny afternoon at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday, was a revenge of a sort for Kotoko who had previously been beaten on three occasions by their opponents for the prestigious SWAG Cup.
Typical of any Ashgold– Kotoko match, tension prevailed throughout the game, while the combatants produced some fine football to whet the appetite of the fans.
The opening minutes were terrifying with both sides charging forward to hit the ball towards goal.
Ashgold made the first serious attempt at goal in the fourth minute when defender Gariba Umar’s tricky shot came close to finding the net. Gariba was to be booked two minutes later for a dangerous tackle.
While Ashgold took charge of the attacking wings with Alex Asamoah and Owusu Ansah displaying magnificent footwork, Kotoko showed industry in the middle of the game as Jordan Opoku and Daniel Nii Adjei fed the attack with some nice balls.
The industrious Samuel Inkoom came up with his typical runs from the right side of defence and in the 13th minute, he crossed beautifully for Emmanuel Osei Kuffour but the captain’s connection from close range went off target.
When the central department of the Kotoko defence started flirting with trouble, Ashgold capitalised on it to fetch the opener.
Strong running forward Alex Asamoah wrestled free from new signing defender Julius Adjabeng and with the defence opened he made light work of Richard Manu before sweeping the ball past advancing Soulama Abdulai in post. It was a typical striker’s goal.
Adjabeng, who struggled to find his feet in the game, was pulled out for Prince Anokye five minutes later as Kotoko struck a strategy to cut out Ashgold from the flanks.
The outstanding Harrison Afful played masterfully and pushed up his attack, which saw Kojo Poku replacing the clumsy Kwabena Yaro in the 37th minute, from the left side of defence.
Kotoko levelled up on the stroke of half time after referee William Agbovi judged Osei Kuffour to have been fouled in the box.
After a brief protest from Ashgold, which saw Mr Kofi Manu, alias Blue Boy, the special assistant to the CEO of the club, leading the protest, Francis Coffie stepped up to beat Fatau Dauda in post.
Kotoko played the aggressors on restart, spraying passes accross the field and firing shots at goal, but Fatau proved unyielding in post.
Twice in the 46th and 54th minutes, Kojo Poku and Coffie found themselves in scoring range but messed up the opportunities.
In the 66th minute, Agbovi received boos from the crowd when he ignored a penalty appeal from Kotoko after Kojo Poku appeared to have been fouled in the box.
The winning goal arrived after 83 minutes. Once again it was Coffie who fired the ball in after Osei Kuffuor had created the chance for him in the box. Coffie could have hit a hat-trick but failed to make good use of the chance three minutes into injury time.
KUMASI Asante Kotoko staged an astonishing recovery to overcome Ashanti Gold 2-1 in the H.P. Nyemitei Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Cup match. It was Kotoko’s 11th win of the Cup.
The victory, on a sunny afternoon at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday, was a revenge of a sort for Kotoko who had previously been beaten on three occasions by their opponents for the prestigious SWAG Cup.
Typical of any Ashgold– Kotoko match, tension prevailed throughout the game, while the combatants produced some fine football to whet the appetite of the fans.
The opening minutes were terrifying with both sides charging forward to hit the ball towards goal.
Ashgold made the first serious attempt at goal in the fourth minute when defender Gariba Umar’s tricky shot came close to finding the net. Gariba was to be booked two minutes later for a dangerous tackle.
While Ashgold took charge of the attacking wings with Alex Asamoah and Owusu Ansah displaying magnificent footwork, Kotoko showed industry in the middle of the game as Jordan Opoku and Daniel Nii Adjei fed the attack with some nice balls.
The industrious Samuel Inkoom came up with his typical runs from the right side of defence and in the 13th minute, he crossed beautifully for Emmanuel Osei Kuffour but the captain’s connection from close range went off target.
When the central department of the Kotoko defence started flirting with trouble, Ashgold capitalised on it to fetch the opener.
Strong running forward Alex Asamoah wrestled free from new signing defender Julius Adjabeng and with the defence opened he made light work of Richard Manu before sweeping the ball past advancing Soulama Abdulai in post. It was a typical striker’s goal.
Adjabeng, who struggled to find his feet in the game, was pulled out for Prince Anokye five minutes later as Kotoko struck a strategy to cut out Ashgold from the flanks.
The outstanding Harrison Afful played masterfully and pushed up his attack, which saw Kojo Poku replacing the clumsy Kwabena Yaro in the 37th minute, from the left side of defence.
Kotoko levelled up on the stroke of half time after referee William Agbovi judged Osei Kuffour to have been fouled in the box.
After a brief protest from Ashgold, which saw Mr Kofi Manu, alias Blue Boy, the special assistant to the CEO of the club, leading the protest, Francis Coffie stepped up to beat Fatau Dauda in post.
Kotoko played the aggressors on restart, spraying passes accross the field and firing shots at goal, but Fatau proved unyielding in post.
Twice in the 46th and 54th minutes, Kojo Poku and Coffie found themselves in scoring range but messed up the opportunities.
In the 66th minute, Agbovi received boos from the crowd when he ignored a penalty appeal from Kotoko after Kojo Poku appeared to have been fouled in the box.
The winning goal arrived after 83 minutes. Once again it was Coffie who fired the ball in after Osei Kuffuor had created the chance for him in the box. Coffie could have hit a hat-trick but failed to make good use of the chance three minutes into injury time.
ANDANI, ABUDU FACTIONS CLASH (PAGE 3)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
SUPPORTERS of the two royal gates of Dagbon clashed at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Saturday when the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, met with leaders of the feuding royal gates to find a lasting solution to the chieftaincy dispute in the area.
It took the police about 15 minutes to quell the disturbances, which saw the supporters, who had massed up at the precincts of the palace, fight with stones and other missiles.
Some vehicles were damaged, as they were hit by stones or ran into each other while the occupants were fleeing the scene of the incident.
One person was arrested, but according to the Commander of the Zongo District Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gabriel Magamsi, he was released on bail to prevent the escalation of the disturbances.
The committee of eminent chiefs had met on the first of a three-day deliberation on the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai’s funeral, which has been planned to take place at the Gbewaa Palace.
The funeral of the late Ya Na Abdulai is another stage on the road map to ensuring lasting peace in the troubled Dagbon area.
While the Abudus were determined to hold the funeral at the palace, the Andanis were opposed to any such move, claiming that Na Mahamadu did not die as a Ya Na.
As the meeting was going on behind closed doors, scores of supporters of both gates also gathered at separate points outside the palace.
ASP Magamsi told the Daily Graphic that it was the Abudus who were asked to leave first after the meeting had ended around 5 p.m., but before they boarded their vehicles, supporters of the Andanis started hooting at them.
The district commander said the Abudus entered their vehicles, but as they tried to drive out of the last gate to enter the main road in front of the palace, stones started flying from the Andani end.
He said the Abudu supporters, who had also gathered at the extreme end, responded to the stone throwing.
“The scene became dangerous and people started running away to safe areas,” Mr Magamsi said.
Security was expected to be tightened at the Palace yesterday as the deliberations entered the second day.
SUPPORTERS of the two royal gates of Dagbon clashed at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Saturday when the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, met with leaders of the feuding royal gates to find a lasting solution to the chieftaincy dispute in the area.
It took the police about 15 minutes to quell the disturbances, which saw the supporters, who had massed up at the precincts of the palace, fight with stones and other missiles.
Some vehicles were damaged, as they were hit by stones or ran into each other while the occupants were fleeing the scene of the incident.
One person was arrested, but according to the Commander of the Zongo District Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gabriel Magamsi, he was released on bail to prevent the escalation of the disturbances.
The committee of eminent chiefs had met on the first of a three-day deliberation on the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai’s funeral, which has been planned to take place at the Gbewaa Palace.
The funeral of the late Ya Na Abdulai is another stage on the road map to ensuring lasting peace in the troubled Dagbon area.
While the Abudus were determined to hold the funeral at the palace, the Andanis were opposed to any such move, claiming that Na Mahamadu did not die as a Ya Na.
As the meeting was going on behind closed doors, scores of supporters of both gates also gathered at separate points outside the palace.
ASP Magamsi told the Daily Graphic that it was the Abudus who were asked to leave first after the meeting had ended around 5 p.m., but before they boarded their vehicles, supporters of the Andanis started hooting at them.
The district commander said the Abudus entered their vehicles, but as they tried to drive out of the last gate to enter the main road in front of the palace, stones started flying from the Andani end.
He said the Abudu supporters, who had also gathered at the extreme end, responded to the stone throwing.
“The scene became dangerous and people started running away to safe areas,” Mr Magamsi said.
Security was expected to be tightened at the Palace yesterday as the deliberations entered the second day.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
New jute factory for Kumasi
April 1
AN Indian company, Ganges Jute Pvt Limited, is to establish a plant for the production of jute sacks in Kumasi.
When established, Ghana would stop the importation of jute sacks, Mr Isaac Osei, the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), made this known when he led the Chief Executive of Ganges Jute Limited, Mr Abhishek Poddar, to call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
Mr Osei said his outfit was giving all assistance to the company to establish the plant. A release from the Manhyia palace signed by the Media Relations Manager, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, said the Indian company would not be able to use the old jute factory because the cost of dismantling the abandoned plant and refurbishing it would be huge and would also take a long time to complete.
The release said Mr Osei pointed out that a number of companies in India were contacted by COCOBOD to establish a plant in Kumasi and Ganges took the offer.
Mr Poddar, according to the statement, explained that the company was coming to Ghana to produce jute sacks for the entire West African market and added that plans were far advanced to start production by the end of this year.
He pointed out that the factory was being sited in the Ashanti Region because it was a major cocoa-producing region.
The Otumfuo, for his part, noted the important role cocoa plays in building the Ghanaian economy and said it was proper for COCOBOD to go out looking for a partner to promote the industry.
He recalled the first jute factory established by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which employed hundreds of Ghanaians but which was later closed down due to mismanagement.
The Asantehene expressed concern that COCOBOD had to rely on the importation of jute sacks using the country’s scarce resources for the purpose.
He stressed that it was important that the nation had that kind of factory to help correct the anomaly.
AN Indian company, Ganges Jute Pvt Limited, is to establish a plant for the production of jute sacks in Kumasi.
When established, Ghana would stop the importation of jute sacks, Mr Isaac Osei, the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), made this known when he led the Chief Executive of Ganges Jute Limited, Mr Abhishek Poddar, to call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
Mr Osei said his outfit was giving all assistance to the company to establish the plant. A release from the Manhyia palace signed by the Media Relations Manager, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, said the Indian company would not be able to use the old jute factory because the cost of dismantling the abandoned plant and refurbishing it would be huge and would also take a long time to complete.
The release said Mr Osei pointed out that a number of companies in India were contacted by COCOBOD to establish a plant in Kumasi and Ganges took the offer.
Mr Poddar, according to the statement, explained that the company was coming to Ghana to produce jute sacks for the entire West African market and added that plans were far advanced to start production by the end of this year.
He pointed out that the factory was being sited in the Ashanti Region because it was a major cocoa-producing region.
The Otumfuo, for his part, noted the important role cocoa plays in building the Ghanaian economy and said it was proper for COCOBOD to go out looking for a partner to promote the industry.
He recalled the first jute factory established by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which employed hundreds of Ghanaians but which was later closed down due to mismanagement.
The Asantehene expressed concern that COCOBOD had to rely on the importation of jute sacks using the country’s scarce resources for the purpose.
He stressed that it was important that the nation had that kind of factory to help correct the anomaly.
Security improvesat Kejetia
April
THE security situation at the Kejetia terminal, once a den of criminals, has improved tremendously, thanks to effective collaboration between the police and the security department of Freko FD Limited, managers of the terminal.
There is now a conducive environment for drivers and passengers alike to move about without any fear of attacks and harassment from criminals.
The police and management of the company confirmed that law and order was prevailing at the terminal, considered the biggest lorry park in West Africa, as pickpockets and other criminals were finding it difficult to operate.
The police hailed security personnel of Freko Limited for effectively complementing their efforts to check crime at the lorry park ever since the police post was established.
Chief Inspector S.A. Asamoah, the station officer at the Kejetia Police Post, said the crime rate had reduced tremendously and that only 25 per cent of the cases reported at the station were from the terminal while the remaining 75 per cent came from the Race Course end.
He said law and order was essential in ensuring effective administration of the terminal and that was what the Freko security personnel were assisting the police to do.
Chief Inspector Asamoah said checking crime was essential for such a huge area like Kejetia, and this called for co-operation between the police and the general public.
He spoke against instant justice and said the situation normally prevented the police from conducting investigations into various crimes.
He underscored the importance of handing over suspects to the police to deal with the situation.
Chief Inspector Asamoah dismissed allegations about brutalities on suspects by security personnel of Freko Limited at the Kejetia terminal, explaining that to the best of his knowledge no case of brutality or extortion had come before them.
He stressed the need for the public to encourage the Freko security personnel to do their work with all seriousness rather than discouraging them.
The Chief Inspector advised the security personnel to go about their duties without fear or favour and always ensure that they keep within the laws of the land to enable them to continue to win the confidence of the police and the general public.
The General Manager of Freko Limited, Mr Asante Boahen, in an interview, said the company’s security personnel were there to protect drivers, travellers, traders and other people who go to the terminal daily. Recent allegations in a section of the media that the security personnel were engaged in some negative acts were therefore untrue.
He noted that it was not the duty of the security personnel to collect money for the company, and that it would be difficult for anybody to claim that the security personnel were collecting money from them.
He said the mandate of the security personnel was clearly defined. It included traffic control, patrol duties and general operations relating to preventing criminals from operating at the terminal.
Mr Boahen said in most cases it was security personnel rather who came under attack by traders as they tried to enforce law and order at the terminal.
He stated that the company had made sure that only their revenue staff collected revenues, and act on behalf of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) by enforcing its bye-laws on hawkers who would flout the laws.
Mr Boahen maintained that trading and hawking were illegal at the terminal and gave the assurance that every effort would be made to ensure that such practices ceased.
The Managing Director of Freko FD Limited, Ms Freda Darko, for her part, urged the public to co-operate with the company and report any case of harassment by staff of the company to management for appropriate action. She said the company would ensure that the terminal remained a much better place for the various operations.
THE security situation at the Kejetia terminal, once a den of criminals, has improved tremendously, thanks to effective collaboration between the police and the security department of Freko FD Limited, managers of the terminal.
There is now a conducive environment for drivers and passengers alike to move about without any fear of attacks and harassment from criminals.
The police and management of the company confirmed that law and order was prevailing at the terminal, considered the biggest lorry park in West Africa, as pickpockets and other criminals were finding it difficult to operate.
The police hailed security personnel of Freko Limited for effectively complementing their efforts to check crime at the lorry park ever since the police post was established.
Chief Inspector S.A. Asamoah, the station officer at the Kejetia Police Post, said the crime rate had reduced tremendously and that only 25 per cent of the cases reported at the station were from the terminal while the remaining 75 per cent came from the Race Course end.
He said law and order was essential in ensuring effective administration of the terminal and that was what the Freko security personnel were assisting the police to do.
Chief Inspector Asamoah said checking crime was essential for such a huge area like Kejetia, and this called for co-operation between the police and the general public.
He spoke against instant justice and said the situation normally prevented the police from conducting investigations into various crimes.
He underscored the importance of handing over suspects to the police to deal with the situation.
Chief Inspector Asamoah dismissed allegations about brutalities on suspects by security personnel of Freko Limited at the Kejetia terminal, explaining that to the best of his knowledge no case of brutality or extortion had come before them.
He stressed the need for the public to encourage the Freko security personnel to do their work with all seriousness rather than discouraging them.
The Chief Inspector advised the security personnel to go about their duties without fear or favour and always ensure that they keep within the laws of the land to enable them to continue to win the confidence of the police and the general public.
The General Manager of Freko Limited, Mr Asante Boahen, in an interview, said the company’s security personnel were there to protect drivers, travellers, traders and other people who go to the terminal daily. Recent allegations in a section of the media that the security personnel were engaged in some negative acts were therefore untrue.
He noted that it was not the duty of the security personnel to collect money for the company, and that it would be difficult for anybody to claim that the security personnel were collecting money from them.
He said the mandate of the security personnel was clearly defined. It included traffic control, patrol duties and general operations relating to preventing criminals from operating at the terminal.
Mr Boahen said in most cases it was security personnel rather who came under attack by traders as they tried to enforce law and order at the terminal.
He stated that the company had made sure that only their revenue staff collected revenues, and act on behalf of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) by enforcing its bye-laws on hawkers who would flout the laws.
Mr Boahen maintained that trading and hawking were illegal at the terminal and gave the assurance that every effort would be made to ensure that such practices ceased.
The Managing Director of Freko FD Limited, Ms Freda Darko, for her part, urged the public to co-operate with the company and report any case of harassment by staff of the company to management for appropriate action. She said the company would ensure that the terminal remained a much better place for the various operations.
Security improvesat Kejetia
April
THE security situation at the Kejetia terminal, once a den of criminals, has improved tremendously, thanks to effective collaboration between the police and the security department of Freko FD Limited, managers of the terminal.
There is now a conducive environment for drivers and passengers alike to move about without any fear of attacks and harassment from criminals.
The police and management of the company confirmed that law and order was prevailing at the terminal, considered the biggest lorry park in West Africa, as pickpockets and other criminals were finding it difficult to operate.
The police hailed security personnel of Freko Limited for effectively complementing their efforts to check crime at the lorry park ever since the police post was established.
Chief Inspector S.A. Asamoah, the station officer at the Kejetia Police Post, said the crime rate had reduced tremendously and that only 25 per cent of the cases reported at the station were from the terminal while the remaining 75 per cent came from the Race Course end.
He said law and order was essential in ensuring effective administration of the terminal and that was what the Freko security personnel were assisting the police to do.
Chief Inspector Asamoah said checking crime was essential for such a huge area like Kejetia, and this called for co-operation between the police and the general public.
He spoke against instant justice and said the situation normally prevented the police from conducting investigations into various crimes.
He underscored the importance of handing over suspects to the police to deal with the situation.
Chief Inspector Asamoah dismissed allegations about brutalities on suspects by security personnel of Freko Limited at the Kejetia terminal, explaining that to the best of his knowledge no case of brutality or extortion had come before them.
He stressed the need for the public to encourage the Freko security personnel to do their work with all seriousness rather than discouraging them.
The Chief Inspector advised the security personnel to go about their duties without fear or favour and always ensure that they keep within the laws of the land to enable them to continue to win the confidence of the police and the general public.
The General Manager of Freko Limited, Mr Asante Boahen, in an interview, said the company’s security personnel were there to protect drivers, travellers, traders and other people who go to the terminal daily. Recent allegations in a section of the media that the security personnel were engaged in some negative acts were therefore untrue.
He noted that it was not the duty of the security personnel to collect money for the company, and that it would be difficult for anybody to claim that the security personnel were collecting money from them.
He said the mandate of the security personnel was clearly defined. It included traffic control, patrol duties and general operations relating to preventing criminals from operating at the terminal.
Mr Boahen said in most cases it was security personnel rather who came under attack by traders as they tried to enforce law and order at the terminal.
He stated that the company had made sure that only their revenue staff collected revenues, and act on behalf of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) by enforcing its bye-laws on hawkers who would flout the laws.
Mr Boahen maintained that trading and hawking were illegal at the terminal and gave the assurance that every effort would be made to ensure that such practices ceased.
The Managing Director of Freko FD Limited, Ms Freda Darko, for her part, urged the public to co-operate with the company and report any case of harassment by staff of the company to management for appropriate action. She said the company would ensure that the terminal remained a much better place for the various operations.
THE security situation at the Kejetia terminal, once a den of criminals, has improved tremendously, thanks to effective collaboration between the police and the security department of Freko FD Limited, managers of the terminal.
There is now a conducive environment for drivers and passengers alike to move about without any fear of attacks and harassment from criminals.
The police and management of the company confirmed that law and order was prevailing at the terminal, considered the biggest lorry park in West Africa, as pickpockets and other criminals were finding it difficult to operate.
The police hailed security personnel of Freko Limited for effectively complementing their efforts to check crime at the lorry park ever since the police post was established.
Chief Inspector S.A. Asamoah, the station officer at the Kejetia Police Post, said the crime rate had reduced tremendously and that only 25 per cent of the cases reported at the station were from the terminal while the remaining 75 per cent came from the Race Course end.
He said law and order was essential in ensuring effective administration of the terminal and that was what the Freko security personnel were assisting the police to do.
Chief Inspector Asamoah said checking crime was essential for such a huge area like Kejetia, and this called for co-operation between the police and the general public.
He spoke against instant justice and said the situation normally prevented the police from conducting investigations into various crimes.
He underscored the importance of handing over suspects to the police to deal with the situation.
Chief Inspector Asamoah dismissed allegations about brutalities on suspects by security personnel of Freko Limited at the Kejetia terminal, explaining that to the best of his knowledge no case of brutality or extortion had come before them.
He stressed the need for the public to encourage the Freko security personnel to do their work with all seriousness rather than discouraging them.
The Chief Inspector advised the security personnel to go about their duties without fear or favour and always ensure that they keep within the laws of the land to enable them to continue to win the confidence of the police and the general public.
The General Manager of Freko Limited, Mr Asante Boahen, in an interview, said the company’s security personnel were there to protect drivers, travellers, traders and other people who go to the terminal daily. Recent allegations in a section of the media that the security personnel were engaged in some negative acts were therefore untrue.
He noted that it was not the duty of the security personnel to collect money for the company, and that it would be difficult for anybody to claim that the security personnel were collecting money from them.
He said the mandate of the security personnel was clearly defined. It included traffic control, patrol duties and general operations relating to preventing criminals from operating at the terminal.
Mr Boahen said in most cases it was security personnel rather who came under attack by traders as they tried to enforce law and order at the terminal.
He stated that the company had made sure that only their revenue staff collected revenues, and act on behalf of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) by enforcing its bye-laws on hawkers who would flout the laws.
Mr Boahen maintained that trading and hawking were illegal at the terminal and gave the assurance that every effort would be made to ensure that such practices ceased.
The Managing Director of Freko FD Limited, Ms Freda Darko, for her part, urged the public to co-operate with the company and report any case of harassment by staff of the company to management for appropriate action. She said the company would ensure that the terminal remained a much better place for the various operations.
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