GHANA’S immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, has stressed the need for the presidential claimant in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Alassane Ouattara to assure forces loyal to Mr Laurent Gbagbo of their safety and job security, should power change hands in that country.
He said negotiations to resolve the Ivorian political crisis can hardly materialise without a firm and an open assurance by Mr Ouattara, to guarantee the personal and job security of members of the conventional armed forces aligned to embattled President, Laurent Gbagbo.
“Keeping mute over this important issue has been a major contributor to the stalemate in convincing Gbagbo to leave,” Lt. Gen. Danquah said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He said ECOWAS and the rest of the international community might be doing their best to negotiate the peaceful exit of Gbagbo but no one should run away from the fact that soldiers supporting the incumbent
feared for their job security and as a result were poised to protect the man in power even to the point of death.
The Cote d’Ivoire situation, he noted, was not just political, but military as well.
Ivory Coast currently has two forces – the Conventional Forces and the New Forces.
While the Conventional Forces control the south where Gbagbo’s authority holds sway, the New Forces made up of elements of the regular military and rebels operate in the Ouattara- controlled north.
Lt. Gen. Danquah, who was the commander of the Ghanaian battalion (Ghanbatt 2) during the Liberia war, cautioned against attempts to use force to remove Gbagbo saying that would result in serious civilian casualties.
“In Liberia, many civilians lost their lives and looking at the Ivory Coast situation, it could be very disastrous if the military option is considered.
“Dialogue is, therefore, the answer but even then, the right things must be done,” the retired general said.
He noted that Ouattara would have to go all out to integrate the two forces and this would demand training and retraining of the forces, if he assumed office.
He expressed regret at the journey Cote d”Ivoire had travelled politically and called on African governments to respect the mandate of the people no matter the circumstances.
Lt. Gen. Danquah said in Ghana when the people decided marginally, the incumbent government accepted the decision and left quietly and called on other African governments to learn from Ghana’s example.
Friday, January 7, 2011
AAA
GHANA’S immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, has stressed the need for the presidential claimant in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Alassane Ouattara to assure forces loyal to Mr Laurent Gbagbo of their safety and job security, should power change hands in that country.
He said negotiations to resolve the Ivorian political crisis can hardly materialise without a firm and an open assurance by Mr Ouattara, to guarantee the personal and job security of members of the conventional armed forces aligned to embattled President, Laurent Gbagbo.
“Keeping mute over this important issue has been a major contributor to the stalemate in convincing Gbagbo to leave,” Lt. Gen. Danquah said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He said ECOWAS and the rest of the international community might be doing their best to negotiate the peaceful exit of Gbagbo but no one should run away from the fact that soldiers supporting the incumbent
feared for their job security and as a result were poised to protect the man in power even to the point of death.
The Cote d’Ivoire situation, he noted, was not just political, but military as well.
Ivory Coast currently has two forces – the Conventional Forces and the New Forces.
While the Conventional Forces control the south where Gbagbo’s authority holds sway, the New Forces made up of elements of the regular military and rebels operate in the Ouattara- controlled north.
Lt. Gen. Danquah, who was the commander of the Ghanaian battalion (Ghanbatt 2) during the Liberia war, cautioned against attempts to use force to remove Gbagbo saying that would result in serious civilian casualties.
“In Liberia, many civilians lost their lives and looking at the Ivory Coast situation, it could be very disastrous if the military option is considered.
“Dialogue is, therefore, the answer but even then, the right things must be done,” the retired general said.
He noted that Ouattara would have to go all out to integrate the two forces and this would demand training and retraining of the forces, if he assumed office.
He expressed regret at the journey Cote d”Ivoire had travelled politically and called on African governments to respect the mandate of the people no matter the circumstances.
Lt. Gen. Danquah said in Ghana when the people decided marginally, the incumbent government accepted the decision and left quietly and called on other African governments to learn from Ghana’s example.
He said negotiations to resolve the Ivorian political crisis can hardly materialise without a firm and an open assurance by Mr Ouattara, to guarantee the personal and job security of members of the conventional armed forces aligned to embattled President, Laurent Gbagbo.
“Keeping mute over this important issue has been a major contributor to the stalemate in convincing Gbagbo to leave,” Lt. Gen. Danquah said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He said ECOWAS and the rest of the international community might be doing their best to negotiate the peaceful exit of Gbagbo but no one should run away from the fact that soldiers supporting the incumbent
feared for their job security and as a result were poised to protect the man in power even to the point of death.
The Cote d’Ivoire situation, he noted, was not just political, but military as well.
Ivory Coast currently has two forces – the Conventional Forces and the New Forces.
While the Conventional Forces control the south where Gbagbo’s authority holds sway, the New Forces made up of elements of the regular military and rebels operate in the Ouattara- controlled north.
Lt. Gen. Danquah, who was the commander of the Ghanaian battalion (Ghanbatt 2) during the Liberia war, cautioned against attempts to use force to remove Gbagbo saying that would result in serious civilian casualties.
“In Liberia, many civilians lost their lives and looking at the Ivory Coast situation, it could be very disastrous if the military option is considered.
“Dialogue is, therefore, the answer but even then, the right things must be done,” the retired general said.
He noted that Ouattara would have to go all out to integrate the two forces and this would demand training and retraining of the forces, if he assumed office.
He expressed regret at the journey Cote d”Ivoire had travelled politically and called on African governments to respect the mandate of the people no matter the circumstances.
Lt. Gen. Danquah said in Ghana when the people decided marginally, the incumbent government accepted the decision and left quietly and called on other African governments to learn from Ghana’s example.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
LUMBA FREE AT LAST (SHOWBIZ, JAN 6, 2011, LEAD STORY)
By Kwame Asare Boadu
Now Daddy Lumba is free. The celebrated musician can walk the sreets of Kumasi without fear of being physically or verbally attacked by aggrieved fans following his stupendous performance in a re-scheduled homecoming live concert in Kumasi on New Year’s Day.
Only a few days earlier the Asante-born musician had to escape the wrath of hundreds of disappointed home-grown fans in Kumasi after he failed to perform due to what he complained of as faulty equipment.
This time, it was different. He was in full swing, treating the fans to some of his best hits at the Royal Lamerta Hotel.
For the first time, Lumba spent about two hours on stage and even though there were few technical hiccups, the atmosphere and the aftermath comments pointed to a good measure of satisfaction from the fans. As he dished out one song after the other, yells of “more, more” resounded through the arena and he responded positively.
Backed by Accra-based band, Perfect Melodies, Lumba kept the good number of patrons off their seats to dance to melodious tunes. Some of the songs that kept the show alive were Woho Kyere, Biribi Gyegye Wo, Aben Woha, Menya Mpo and Akoma Da Akoma So.
Angel FM’s Kwame Adinkra who was the MC for the night, was at his performing best, keeping the show alive with a delivery of breathtaking quality.
Fans who were able to produce the tickets purchased for the first show were given free entry but those who went to the gates without the old tickets were made to pay. But there were no complaints. The road to the Royal Lamerta Hotel was barricaded at the Atinga Junction to ensure that tight security was maintained.
Ghanaian hiplife/hiphop group, Bradez, supported the show with a superb performance.
Last week, Daddy Lumba had to escape under security protection after his planned live show was called off. He complained of faulty technical equipment but the fans who had paid between GH¢30 and GH¢50 for the show would not take his explanation. They attempted to attack him but the musician was able to sneak out. The fans then turned their attention at the hotel where they destroyed property.
Some disappointed patrons threatened legal action against the musician and organisers of the event. Some 100 of the angry fans accused Home Proud Entertainment; organisers of the event, of breaching their part of the contract and decided to take the matter to court.
The concert organisers apologised to patrons for the no-show incident and said that they take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident, absolving the artiste and the hotel of any wrong doing. They promised that Daddy Lumba was committed to resolving the impasse by re-staging the concert. He did.
Still some fans appear not happy. Francis Dodovi, a spokesman of the disappointed fans told Graphic Showbiz last Tuesday that, even though the musician honoured his promise by re-staging the show their decision to go to court was still pending as, among other issues, patrons who lost their tickets for the first show were made to pay again.
Now Daddy Lumba is free. The celebrated musician can walk the sreets of Kumasi without fear of being physically or verbally attacked by aggrieved fans following his stupendous performance in a re-scheduled homecoming live concert in Kumasi on New Year’s Day.
Only a few days earlier the Asante-born musician had to escape the wrath of hundreds of disappointed home-grown fans in Kumasi after he failed to perform due to what he complained of as faulty equipment.
This time, it was different. He was in full swing, treating the fans to some of his best hits at the Royal Lamerta Hotel.
For the first time, Lumba spent about two hours on stage and even though there were few technical hiccups, the atmosphere and the aftermath comments pointed to a good measure of satisfaction from the fans. As he dished out one song after the other, yells of “more, more” resounded through the arena and he responded positively.
Backed by Accra-based band, Perfect Melodies, Lumba kept the good number of patrons off their seats to dance to melodious tunes. Some of the songs that kept the show alive were Woho Kyere, Biribi Gyegye Wo, Aben Woha, Menya Mpo and Akoma Da Akoma So.
Angel FM’s Kwame Adinkra who was the MC for the night, was at his performing best, keeping the show alive with a delivery of breathtaking quality.
Fans who were able to produce the tickets purchased for the first show were given free entry but those who went to the gates without the old tickets were made to pay. But there were no complaints. The road to the Royal Lamerta Hotel was barricaded at the Atinga Junction to ensure that tight security was maintained.
Ghanaian hiplife/hiphop group, Bradez, supported the show with a superb performance.
Last week, Daddy Lumba had to escape under security protection after his planned live show was called off. He complained of faulty technical equipment but the fans who had paid between GH¢30 and GH¢50 for the show would not take his explanation. They attempted to attack him but the musician was able to sneak out. The fans then turned their attention at the hotel where they destroyed property.
Some disappointed patrons threatened legal action against the musician and organisers of the event. Some 100 of the angry fans accused Home Proud Entertainment; organisers of the event, of breaching their part of the contract and decided to take the matter to court.
The concert organisers apologised to patrons for the no-show incident and said that they take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident, absolving the artiste and the hotel of any wrong doing. They promised that Daddy Lumba was committed to resolving the impasse by re-staging the concert. He did.
Still some fans appear not happy. Francis Dodovi, a spokesman of the disappointed fans told Graphic Showbiz last Tuesday that, even though the musician honoured his promise by re-staging the show their decision to go to court was still pending as, among other issues, patrons who lost their tickets for the first show were made to pay again.
DON'T POLITICISE THE MILITARY — FORMER CDS (PAGE 12, JAN 6, 2011)
A former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen. J.B. Danquah (retd), has called for a second look to be taken at what has become a convention in the country where new governments replace service commanders on assumption of power.
He explained that the practice tended to politicise the military and undermine its professionalism.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi, Lt Gen. Danquah said, “unless a new government has reason to doubt the loyalty of a service commander or the person has misconducted himself or herself in a way, that person must be allowed to complete his tenure”.
The retired General noted that in Ghana and other parts of Africa, a lot of commanders had gone home prematurely when new governments came into office.
“This does not happen in advanced countries and as a result, commanders in those countries are bold to take decisions that help their governments and country,” he said.
He cautioned against the introduction of tribal and political sentiments into the military, saying it had the tendency to polarise the military.
“The practice that someone does not come from here or there and therefore, must not be appointed to a certain position must be discarded,” he stressed.
That notwithstanding, the former CDS emphasised the need for commanders to be bold in their duties and not allow anybody to use them to further their own interests and aspirations.
“We should be able to resign if politicians want to use us for their parochial political interests. That will make us stand out,” he added.
He called for hard work from Ghanaians to improve their lot rather than always look up to the government to address all their problems.
“We should not think that the government descended from Heaven to solve all our problems for us,” the retired general said.
Lt Gen. Danquah said today, many workers were thinking about increased salaries. “We have to work hard to get what we want”.
He called on the media to play a leading role in shaping the democratic process.
Lt Gen. Danquah also called on the government to widen the tax net to bring in many small businesses that did not pay taxes.
He explained that the practice tended to politicise the military and undermine its professionalism.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi, Lt Gen. Danquah said, “unless a new government has reason to doubt the loyalty of a service commander or the person has misconducted himself or herself in a way, that person must be allowed to complete his tenure”.
The retired General noted that in Ghana and other parts of Africa, a lot of commanders had gone home prematurely when new governments came into office.
“This does not happen in advanced countries and as a result, commanders in those countries are bold to take decisions that help their governments and country,” he said.
He cautioned against the introduction of tribal and political sentiments into the military, saying it had the tendency to polarise the military.
“The practice that someone does not come from here or there and therefore, must not be appointed to a certain position must be discarded,” he stressed.
That notwithstanding, the former CDS emphasised the need for commanders to be bold in their duties and not allow anybody to use them to further their own interests and aspirations.
“We should be able to resign if politicians want to use us for their parochial political interests. That will make us stand out,” he added.
He called for hard work from Ghanaians to improve their lot rather than always look up to the government to address all their problems.
“We should not think that the government descended from Heaven to solve all our problems for us,” the retired general said.
Lt Gen. Danquah said today, many workers were thinking about increased salaries. “We have to work hard to get what we want”.
He called on the media to play a leading role in shaping the democratic process.
Lt Gen. Danquah also called on the government to widen the tax net to bring in many small businesses that did not pay taxes.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
RISE ABOVE PARTISAN POLITICS FOR SUCCESSFUL 2011 (PAGE 12, JAN 5, 2011)
THE Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Revd Dr Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, has called on Ghanaians to rise above partisan politics and ethnicity, and explore ways of changing the nation’s development agenda for the better in 2011.
Expressing concern about the manner some politicians were using politics and the ethnic cards to play some tribes against each other, he warned that the situation could spell trouble for the nation if the situation is not nabbed.
Delivering the sermon at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi, the bishop said politics was serious business, which could turn nations round if well-managed but it could also be dirty if the players played it rough.
Consequently, he called on Ghanaians to desist from ethnocentric effusions and concentrate on issues that could build a better Ghana for all.
Referring to the theme for his New Year message, “Let us rise up and build and the God of Heaven will grant us success” (Nehemiah 2:17, 20), Rt. Revd Dr Yinkah Sarfo stressed that with perseverance and the help of God, the nation could push strongly its development efforts.
Today, he said, marriages were breaking up leading to increases in the number of street children and admonished Christians, “Let us rise and build our broken homes.”
He also mentioned the oil find and said Ghanaians must come together and with the commonness of purpose, use the resource to develop the nation.
In another development, the leader of Ebenezer Miracle Prayer Centre, Rev. Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom, had predicted many positive things for the nation if people gave themselves to Christ.
Preaching the sermon at the watch-night service to welcome the New Year, he said the power of God reigned over the world and those who believed Him would surely reap benefits.
Expressing concern about the manner some politicians were using politics and the ethnic cards to play some tribes against each other, he warned that the situation could spell trouble for the nation if the situation is not nabbed.
Delivering the sermon at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi, the bishop said politics was serious business, which could turn nations round if well-managed but it could also be dirty if the players played it rough.
Consequently, he called on Ghanaians to desist from ethnocentric effusions and concentrate on issues that could build a better Ghana for all.
Referring to the theme for his New Year message, “Let us rise up and build and the God of Heaven will grant us success” (Nehemiah 2:17, 20), Rt. Revd Dr Yinkah Sarfo stressed that with perseverance and the help of God, the nation could push strongly its development efforts.
Today, he said, marriages were breaking up leading to increases in the number of street children and admonished Christians, “Let us rise and build our broken homes.”
He also mentioned the oil find and said Ghanaians must come together and with the commonness of purpose, use the resource to develop the nation.
In another development, the leader of Ebenezer Miracle Prayer Centre, Rev. Ebenezer Adarkwa-Yiadom, had predicted many positive things for the nation if people gave themselves to Christ.
Preaching the sermon at the watch-night service to welcome the New Year, he said the power of God reigned over the world and those who believed Him would surely reap benefits.
Monday, January 3, 2011
ARMAJARO SUPPORTS TEPA SCHOOL (PAGE 23, JAN 1, 2011)
ARMAJARO Ghana Limited, a licensed cocoa buying company, has donated 15 packets of roofing sheets valued at GH¢3,000 to assist in the completion of ongoing projects at the Health Assistants Training School at Tepa in the Ahafo-Ano North District.
The donation, which was in line with the company’s social responsibility programme, was in response to an appeal made by the Omanhene of the area, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, to corporate institutions operating in the area to assist in the development of the school.
Making the presentation, the Manager of Armajaro/Ghana Cocoa Board Traceable Cocoa Foundation, Mr Abraham Appiah-Kubi, said the company believed in supporting communities where it operated with various development projects.
He said that was the reason why the Cocoa Traceable Project was instituted. He added that the company had provided about 60 boreholes, a number of school buildings and equipment for health institutions in many communities in the country.
He disclosed that about 20 boreholes would be constructed for selected communities in the Tepa area next year.
The omanhene, who received the items on behalf of the school, thanked the company for the gesture and said the items would be put to good use.
He urged cocoa buying companies to ensure transparency in their activities and avoid adjusting their weighing scales to cheat farmers.
Nana Ampem touched on the steps the traditional council was taking to complement the efforts of the government and the district assembly to raise standards at the school, and called on other institutions and individuals to assist them.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr David Addai Amankwah, said the government had shown much commitment to ensuring the best for the nation and added that any form of support that would help the dream materialise was always welcome.
He called on Armajaro to confer with the district assembly when undertaking development projects to avoid duplication.
The donation, which was in line with the company’s social responsibility programme, was in response to an appeal made by the Omanhene of the area, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, to corporate institutions operating in the area to assist in the development of the school.
Making the presentation, the Manager of Armajaro/Ghana Cocoa Board Traceable Cocoa Foundation, Mr Abraham Appiah-Kubi, said the company believed in supporting communities where it operated with various development projects.
He said that was the reason why the Cocoa Traceable Project was instituted. He added that the company had provided about 60 boreholes, a number of school buildings and equipment for health institutions in many communities in the country.
He disclosed that about 20 boreholes would be constructed for selected communities in the Tepa area next year.
The omanhene, who received the items on behalf of the school, thanked the company for the gesture and said the items would be put to good use.
He urged cocoa buying companies to ensure transparency in their activities and avoid adjusting their weighing scales to cheat farmers.
Nana Ampem touched on the steps the traditional council was taking to complement the efforts of the government and the district assembly to raise standards at the school, and called on other institutions and individuals to assist them.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr David Addai Amankwah, said the government had shown much commitment to ensuring the best for the nation and added that any form of support that would help the dream materialise was always welcome.
He called on Armajaro to confer with the district assembly when undertaking development projects to avoid duplication.
KOTOKO PLAY EDUBIASE TOMORROW (PAGE 31, JAN 1, 2011)
FOOTBALL lovers and holidaymakers in Kumasi will have something sumptuous to feed on tomorrow when the new-look Asante Kotoko outdoor their fresh players in a friendly match against New Edubiase United at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Kotoko had gone on expensive shopping during the mid-season, bringing on board some young talented players who are expected to change the fortunes of the team in the second round scheduled to begin on January 9.
Mr Jarvis Peprah, Public Affairs Manager of Asante Kotoko, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the match would paint a picture of what the players have in store for the loyal fans of the club who have unfortunately been subjected to pain and agony as a result of dismal showing by the team.
Among the players who will feature for Kotoko are the former Wa All Stars duo of Nathaniel Asamoah and Mohammed Yahaya Sabato. Others are Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffo, Yaw Frimpong and Iddrissu Nafiu all former players of ASEC Mimosas and Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord.
Also to feature are Joseph Tachie-Mensah, a former player of Hearts of Oak and Israeli side, Hapoel Beer Sheva, Seidu Traore from Mali, and Ahmed Toure who is making a return to the club.
Mr Peprah said New Edubiase was chosen for the trial match in view of the current form of the Bekwai-based side.
Edubiase, who have a crop of enterprising players, beat Kotoko 2-1 in the first round Premier League match in Kumasi.
Moderate fees will be charged at the gates. Kick-off time is 3p.m.
Kotoko had gone on expensive shopping during the mid-season, bringing on board some young talented players who are expected to change the fortunes of the team in the second round scheduled to begin on January 9.
Mr Jarvis Peprah, Public Affairs Manager of Asante Kotoko, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the match would paint a picture of what the players have in store for the loyal fans of the club who have unfortunately been subjected to pain and agony as a result of dismal showing by the team.
Among the players who will feature for Kotoko are the former Wa All Stars duo of Nathaniel Asamoah and Mohammed Yahaya Sabato. Others are Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffo, Yaw Frimpong and Iddrissu Nafiu all former players of ASEC Mimosas and Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord.
Also to feature are Joseph Tachie-Mensah, a former player of Hearts of Oak and Israeli side, Hapoel Beer Sheva, Seidu Traore from Mali, and Ahmed Toure who is making a return to the club.
Mr Peprah said New Edubiase was chosen for the trial match in view of the current form of the Bekwai-based side.
Edubiase, who have a crop of enterprising players, beat Kotoko 2-1 in the first round Premier League match in Kumasi.
Moderate fees will be charged at the gates. Kick-off time is 3p.m.
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