Gold fields to provide electricity to Tarkwa education office

The demand for electricity at the new municipal education office in Tarkwa will soon be over as Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine, has promised to award a contract soon to connect electricity to the edifice.

According to the company, its corporate social responsibility considered initiatives on education as a major component of its community development agenda.

This was disclosed at a community consultative meeting organized by Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa mine for its catchment communities and stakeholders within the Tarkwa Nsuaem municipality.

The Tarkwa municipal education office which was commissioned in 2008 has since been operating without electricity and this has made working there quite difficult.

The Municipal Chief Executive Officer for Tarkwa Nsueam, Mrs. Christina Kobinah, who was present at the meeting on her part, thanked Gold fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa mine for their contribution towards the development of the municipality and the nation as a whole.

She said with the connection of electricity to the office, work will be easier for the staff and that the assembly is doing its best to develop other communities in the municipality as well.

She appealed to mining companies not to be upset with the increment of their taxes, adding that this will help government develop the country.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

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Tarkwa Nsueam to step-up revenue collection

Mrs. Christina Kobinah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tarkwa Nsueam, has pledged to promote revenue collection in the area in order to generate enough funds to support developmental projects.

She said the Assembly together with unit committees and assembly members were doing all they could to meet its internally generated revenue target but it seem not to yield any positive result.

Mrs. Kobinah said this on Wednesday when she delivered her address at the Assembly’s two-day second ordinary meeting.

The MCE said though the Assembly had increased its infrastructural projects in which most of them had reached completion stages; it had not excelled in its revenue collection.

Mrs. Kobinah said the Assembly projected to collect an amount of GH¢6,924,384.78 for this year’s internal generated funds, but as at the end of June, amount realized was GH¢2,635,128.93.

She therefore called on Assembly members to redouble their efforts in the area of the internally generated funds to enable them to meet their expectations before the year ends.

The MCE said the Assembly would continue to sponsor mock examinations for pupils preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination as well as assist the Municipal Education Directorate to monitor basic schools closely.

Mrs. Kobbinah encouraged the people of Tarkwa Nsueam to support the Police to form neighboring watch-committees to augment the work of security agencies in the Municipality.

She called for proper drainage system for the Tarkwa-Ahwietieso section of the highway to prevent flooding in the area.

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STMA bans fishing and farming around Butuah Lagoon

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has banned fishing and farming activities in and around Butuah Lagoon estuary at New Takoradi.

A release issued from the Public Relations Unit of the assembly announced on Thursday said the ban is the result of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency after the analysis of water, sediment and fish samples collected from the lagoon following the death of large quantity of fish in the lagoon in September last year.

According to the report, the death of the fishes was due to pollution of the lagoon with paraquat toxicity, which is a “Highly toxic herbicide with immediate acute effects and long term chronic effects on human health and the environment”.

It said further chemical analysis on fish, water and sediment collected from the lagoon in April this year by the Ghana Standards Authority still show appreciable levels of paraquat with all samples exceeding the international guideline for surface or drinking water.

“Judging from the analytical results and the potential health implications associated with consumption of water and fish from the lagoon, the Assembly hereby entreat the …public to desist from engaging with any fishing and farming activities on or closer to the lagoon to forestall any future effects on human health and the environment,” the release said.

“The Assembly will arrest and prosecute anybody found to be acting contrary to this directive in accordance with the Assembly’s bye-laws and other relevant laws and regulations of the state.”

GNA

Sellas keeps his technical director role at Liberty

Former Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh keeps his position as technical director of Premier League side, Liberty Professionals after an overhaul of the team.

The management of Dansoman-based side has announced some technical changes to the team following the parting of ways with head coach J.E. Sarpong.

According to the club, Sellas remains in his role contrary to media speculation that he will be coaching the side next season.

Rather, George Lamptey has been appointed as head coach of the team while Felix Aboagye will work as the assistant coach.

Source: Ghanafa.org

GNAAS to organize its 31st annual congress in Takoradi

The Ghana National Association of Adventist Students (GNAAS) is set to have its 31st annual congress at the Ghana Secondary Technical School in Takoradi in the Western Region.

The congress is under the theme “A Purifying Hope’ (John 3:3) is scheduled to start from July 29 to August 5.

Mr James Badu, President of GNAAS in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said every year the Association organizes congress to assemble students of Seventh – day Adventist across the country to address pertinent issues affecting them.

He said the Association had invited 15 resource persons to spearhead the activities of the congress adding that some of the activities would include how to interpret the bible, living with or without hope, the need for purifying hope, wealth creation and health lecture.

Mr Badu said the congress would challenge the youth to be motivated and have a good future because the programme would focus on social and spiritual activities.

He said as a religious association, GNAAS seeks to rise to the highest level, the moral, spiritual and intellectual standard of the association for the worthy emulation of posterity and to promote welfare and solidarity among members.

Mr Badu said GNAAS goal was to proclaim the Gospel of Christ as a witness to unbelievers and prepare them for the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He said the Association shared values are humility, hard work, commitment and dedication to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ which gives a sense of unity.

Mr Badu said the congress would also promote health and welfare of members, increase evangelism efforts and render beneficial service to general public.

He entreated members of the Adventist cycle to be part of this spirit-filled programme to boost their spiritual well being.

Ghana U-20 beat Egypt to win three-nation tourney

A heroic performance from the Black Satellites ensured Ghana finished winners of the three-nation U-20 tournament after beating Egypt on Thursday.

Ten-man Black Satellites were 3-0 winners at the Accra Sports Stadium to finish tops ahead of Namibia and the Young Pharaohs.

Heart of Lions striker Benjamin Fadi scored the opener from a spot-kick after a Ghanaian player was fouled in the penalty box.

With a goal up, Wa All Stars midfielder, Seidu Salifu headed in the second goal to hand the Black Satellites a 2-0 lead before the break.

Despite the lead, Egypt refused to give up and pushed to pull a goal back after recess.

But they were undone by Patrick Twumasi, who nodded in a cross from the by-line in the second half for the third goal.

However Twumasi did not last the full game as the FK Spartak Jurmala attacker was red-carded.

Ghana finished the five-day tourney with 4 points while Namibia, who drew their two matches picked up 2 points with Egypt clinging onto a point.

The tournament in Accra was aimed at preparing the three countries for the start of the Africa Youth Championship qualifiers later this month.

Staff of Gold Fields volunteer to mentor pupils in their communities

 
Employees at the Community Affairs Department at Gold Fields Ghana’s Tarkwa Mine have taken a giant step to touch the lives of pupils in the company’s area of operations by instituting a Career Guidance and Mentoring Programme in selected schools in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal and Prestea Huni-Valley District Assemblies.

Under the programme, the employees will contribute money out of their pockets and dedicate time to mentor pupils at selected basic schools. Huniso Basic School, Gold Fields Schools Complex and New Atuabo Community Schools Complex were chosen for the programme.

The Department has in the past voluntarily embarked on clean up exercises in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

This initiative is in line with Gold Fields’ vision to be “the global leader in sustainable gold mining” which encourages voluntarism amongst employees.

At its maiden event, the Department grouped themselves in three teams and each team met with final year students and teachers of selected basic schools to discuss topics such as: Course Selection at Senior High School level, Career Path Determination and Discipline. The Gold Fields’ team, who had their basic education in the area, shared their life stories of growing up in the mining communities and the challenges encountered in their education.

Speaking to pupils at the Gold Fields Schools Complex in Tarkwa, Community Affairs Superintendent at the Tarkwa Mine, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, who is a former student of the school pointed out that “the objective of the programme is to encourage the pupils to take their education seriously so as to take advantage of the numerous employment opportunities that exist in the mining communities”. The students were encouraged to pursue programmes that would prepare them for the mining industry.

It was disclosed that though the area hosts Ghana’s only mining university, the University of Mines and Technology, only 3% of the University’s student population is from the host municipality. The area is home to seven multinational mining companies yet only a small number of locals occupied senior positions in these companies because of the lack of skills and knowledge of residents in the sector.

To turn around this worrying state, employees of the Community Affairs Department decided to undertake this initiative and become role models for students in the area. Each employee adopted two pupils who have interests in pursuing mathematics, science and engineering programmes as part of the mentoring. It is the responsibility of the employee to be the academic and career mentor of these school children until their ambitions are achieved. The mentors have been tasked with guiding the students regarding scholarship avenues, programme selection, studying skills among others.

The Gold Fields’ employees also presented books to the pupils. In addition, the Primary School division of the New Atuabo Community Basic School was presented with a set of football jerseys. These, at a cost of GHC1, 800.00, were purchased with contributions from the employees.

I am not dating Abebaoyor

Ghanaian actress Yvonne Okoro has categorically refuted reports that she is dating Togolese and Tottenham Hotspur football star, Emmanuel Adebaoyor.

News went viral on several websites and media platforms that the bubbly actress is secretly dating the football star and maybe pregnant for him.

Some sites alleged that the striker splashed a whopping US$74,000 on a new Mercedes Benz C Class facelift edition for the actress.

The Adams Apples actress, however, took to social networking site, Twitter Thursday denying the reports stating she was neither dating the footballer nor was she pregnant for him.

“Didnt wnt 2 coment bt wil b fair 2 my fans n I state categorically I am nt pregnant,n am nt datin Adebayor nor did he buy a car 4 me#settled,” she tweeted.

The actress was quoted to have once said she knew Emmanuel Adebayor but had no amorous relationship with him.

“I know Adebayor but he’s just a friend, he’s not my man. I’ve my own guy and I can tell you that Adebayor is not my man,” she was quoted to have said.

Yvonne Okoro, born to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother, made her screen debut in 2002 with Sticking to the Promise, and has been linked with several high-profile relationships, all turning out to be false.

In 2010, she won Best Actress in a Leading Role at Ghana Movie Awards and was nominated for Best Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) twice in a row – 2011 and 2012 – for her movies Pool Party and Single Six.
Ghanaian actress Yvonne Okoro has categorically refuted reports that she is dating Togolese and Tottenham Hotspur football star, Emmanuel Adebaoyor.

News went viral on several websites and media platforms that the bubbly actress is secretly dating the football star and maybe pregnant for him.

Some sites alleged that the striker splashed a whopping US$74,000 on a new Mercedes Benz C Class facelift edition for the actress.

The Adams Apples actress, however, took to social networking site, Twitter Thursday denying the reports stating she was neither dating the footballer nor was she pregnant for him.

“Didnt wnt 2 coment bt wil b fair 2 my fans n I state categorically I am nt pregnant,n am nt datin Adebayor nor did he buy a car 4 me#settled,” she tweeted.

The actress was quoted to have once said she knew Emmanuel Adebayor but had no amorous relationship with him.

“I know Adebayor but he’s just a friend, he’s not my man. I’ve my own guy and I can tell you that Adebayor is not my man,” she was quoted to have said.

Yvonne Okoro, born to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother, made her screen debut in 2002 with Sticking to the Promise, and has been linked with several high-profile relationships, all turning out to be false.

In 2010, she won Best Actress in a Leading Role at Ghana Movie Awards and was nominated for Best Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) twice in a row – 2011 and 2012 – for her movies Pool Party and Single Six.

Chelsea leave former champions with lots to ponder

Berekum Chelsea are especially motivated to get past their next opponents in Group B of the CAF Champions League after getting their campaign off to a good start.

After beating Zamalek 3-2 at home, the former Ghanaian champions travel this weekend to play Lamine N’diaye’s TP Mazembe, who lost their opening match.

The weekend’s game in Lubumbashi to be refereed by Daniel Bennett could present Chelsea with another opportunity of beating a former champion in the group.

But reeling under the pressure of a last-gasp defeat to Al-Ahly, Mazembe are hoping to end Chelsea’s perfect run in their debut competition.

“We deserved at least a draw [after 2-1 defeat to Ahly] and we were just a few seconds away from that,” said TP Mazembe coach N’diaye.

“But we still have strong chances to qualify from this group.”

All three other group members with the exception of the Ghanaian side are former African champions.

And it’s a fact N’diaye admits, makes it a tough group but is very confident of their progress.

“This group is very tough and includes some of the biggest teams on the continent. We’re looking forward to victory against Berekum Chelsea to make amends for this defeat.”

Chelsea head into the weekend’s second round fixtures as leaders in Group B as they hold a better goal advantage ahead Ahly.

Source: Ghanafa.org
 

Maxwell Konadu appointed temporary Satellites coach

Maxwell Konadu has been appointed the temporary head coach of Ghana’s U-20 side, the Black Satellites.

The Black Stars deputy coach will take immediate charge of the team until a substantive replacement is found.

He takes over from Orlando Wellington who resigned from the post on Tuesday.

Konadu will stay on until a substantive coach is named.

Meanwhile, Charles K. Akunnor will stay on as the assistant coach of the Black Satellites.

The technical team of the Satellites has been boosted by the inclusion of Prince Yaw Owusu as the other assistant coach.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Gyan announces Black Stars return

Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan has announced his decision to return to the national team after a five-month absence.

The UAE-based striker took a temporary break from international football in February after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Al Ain attacker sent a letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) reversing the decision.

Gyan says he is available for selection for the Black Stars with immediate effect.

“Following my letter on 16th February 2012,I wish to inform you that I am now ready to be selected for my National Team of Ghana,” Gyan said in the letter to the GFA.

“The past five months have given me an opportunity to reflect.

“My friends, family and the “football family of Ghana” have been incredibly supportive, and it is with their help that I have reached the decision to return to international duty.

“I am fully committed and focused on our clear goals ahead as a nation on the quest for qualification for both AFCON 2013 and the World Cup in 2014.”

Meanwhile, GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has hailed Gyan for rescinding his decision and has called for support for players in difficult times.

“The GFA wants to thank Asamoah Gyan for taking this decision and this shows once again that he is fully committed to his country,” Nyantakyi said.

“We thank his family and friends who also helped to encourage him in his difficult times.

“I want to use this opportunity to plead with our fans to support our players in their difficult times rather than condemning them.

“These players have brought good times for the country in the past and when things go wrong let’s encourage them to bring out the best in them.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Satellites wrap up tourney with Pharaohs clash

Ghana and Egypt will conclude the three-nation tournament on Thursday as both sides play the final match.

The two sides are still chasing wins after drawing their separate matches, all against Namibia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

With a point apiece, both sides are behind Namibia, who have two points to lead the standings.

The Black Satellites drew 2-2 with Namibia last Sunday and could be crowned champions of the tournament if they beat the Young Pharaohs.

Either way, a win for the Egyptians, who held Namibia to a goalless result will also hand them the title.

The tournament in Accra is aimed at preparing the three countries for the start of the Africa Youth Championship qualifiers later this month.

Source: Ghanafa.org

T’di Kokompe spare parts dealers refuse to pay taxes

Garage operators and mechanics at the Kokompe Market in Takoradi are refusing to pay taxes until road in their market is repaired.

The car spare parts dealers are angry with the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly over failed promises to fix the road which has been in a very bad shape for over a decade.

Earlier this week, hundreds of traders at the market clashed with the Police during a demonstration to register their protest.

Though the Metropolitan Chief Executive assured them work would resume immediately, he is yet to mobilize equipment to the area.

Chairman of the Kokompe branch of the Ghana National Association of Garages, Joseph Oppong Sarpong told Joy News the MCE, Captain Anthony Cudjoe assured him this morning the bulldozers would move in this afternoon.

Mr. Sarpong however said there is little he can do to prevent another demonstration if that fails.

He also said until the road is done they can’t pay anymore taxes.

Radio Maxx’s Ebenezer Afienyi Dadze reported little has changed after the demonstration few days ago.

According to him, the MCE is asking for the safety of the contractors to be guaranteed before they will come and work on the roads.

A fire tender was destroyed and fire service personnel assaulted in the clashes this week.

The MCE said until the garage operators guarantee the safety of the contractors it will be difficult to ask them to come and work on the roads.

Use of military uniforms by civilians still illegal – Ghana Army

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Friday reminded the general public that the use of military uniforms and other accoutrements by civilians and unauthorised persons is prohibited.
The prohibition is under NLC Decree 177 (Restriction on the use of military uniforms and equipment decree 1967), which in part states that no person shall wear or use any military uniforms, equipment, or accoutrements or other material unless he/she is a member of the Armed Forces of Ghana, a member of any other armed forces entitled by law or by diplomatic usage, to wear or use such uniform, equipment or material, or an ex-serviceman wearing or using such uniforms, equipment, accoutrement or material on ceremonial anniversary or other special occasion, or a person who by Executive Instrument is authorised to wear or use such uniform, equipment, accoutrement or material.
A statement issued in Accra on Friday by Lt. Col. E. Aggrey-Quashie, on behalf of the Directorate for Public Relations of GAF, said the decree additionally prohibited the importation, sale and purchase of any military uniforms, accoutrements and material, including second-hand military uniforms, accoutrements and material used by GAF or any other country notwithstanding that such uniform, accoutrement or material had ceased to be worn or used by any such armed forces.

It reminded the general public that the decree was still in force and any person who contravened its provisions would commit an offence and liable to prosecution when arrested.
“The civil police, military police, joint military-police patrols are authorised to check the misuse and unauthorised use of these military items.”
The statement was in reaction to the wearing and use of military uniforms, especially camouflage, equipment and other accoutrements by unauthorised persons, including armed robbers and other criminals is increasing.
“There is a worrying trend where some musicians and religious leaders now wear military uniforms for their video clips and church programmes. All these are in contravention of the decree, which makes the practice illegal,” it added.
Source: GNA

2012 light crop cocoa season opens on Friday, July 13

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on Friday announced the commencement of purchases for the 2012 light crop cocoa season from Friday, July 13.
A statement issued by Mr Anthony Fofie, Chief Executive of COCOBOD in Accra copied to Ghana News Agency said the producer price to be paid at all buying centres was GH¢ 97.62 per load of 30 kilogrammes for grade One and Two cocoa beans naked ex-scale or GH¢ 205 per bag of 64 kilogrammes.
A tonne of 16 bags is GH¢ 3,280.

GNA

Ghana gets two new German naval vessels

The Ghana Navy has taken delivery of two newly refitted naval vessels at a ceremony held at Neue Tadewerft, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
They are “GNS Yaa Asantewaa” and “GNS Naa Gbewaa” and have since set sail for Ghana and expected to arrive in a few weeks time.
A statement issued in Accra on Friday by Lieutenant-Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Public Relations Directorate said
“This brings to seven the number of vessels acquired for the Ghana Navy in the last three years”.
It said Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd.), Minister of Defence, assisted by Rear Admiral M. Quarshie, Chief of Naval Staff, received the Warrior Class vessels on behalf of Ghana.
At the ceremony Lt. Gen. Smith commended the Ghana Navy compliments of the ships made up of 14 officers and 56 ratings for their hard work during their stay in Germany.
The naval personnel were in Germany for familiarisation training on the vessels.
The Minister of Defence congratulated the manufacturers for a good work done and asked the Ghana Navy to take good care of the ships.
Source: GNA

FDB cautions public about fraudulent health claims

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has warned that some unscrupulous people are operating illegal treatment schemes in some parts of country, using food supplements for the treatment of diseases.
The practice is going on particularly in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions.
The FDB said the so-called health facilities or clinics were engaged in fraudulent diagnosis using unapproved and uncertified medical devices and ‘treating’ their patients with food supplements imported and distributed by Dynapharm Company Ghana Limited.
Some of the diseases that they claim to treat with their food supplements include: Cancers, Heart Diseases, Diabetes, Parkinson Diseases, Epilepsy, Reproductive Disorders, Allergies, Asthma, Hepatitis and Kidney Problems.
A statement issued by the board therefore caution the public to desist from patronising these fake treatment schemes.
The food supplements being fraudulently used include Ganoderma, Dyna Serenoa, Spirulina Tablets, Nonicare Instant Cereal, Noni Plus Tea, Dyna RH Capsules, Pro Young, Dyna Tonic, Yee Yang Yen and Wheat Grass Extract Powder.
The FDB reiterated that food supplements are not medicines and therefore have no therapeutic indications.

“Their wrongful use to treat disease conditions can result in worsening of the disease condition which can even lead to death in some cases.”
GNA

Ghana gov’t starts payment of compensation to farmers affected by gas project

The Ghana government, on Thursday, started the payment of the compensation to farmers whose economic crops were destroyed during the demarcation of land for the proposed Domunli Gas Project in the Jomoro District.
Dr George Sipa Yankey, Chief Executive of the Ghana National Gas Company, which is disbursing the funds, announced this at a sensitization workshop on the Project for farmers in the Jomoro District at Half Assini.
He said a total of GH¢53,631 would be shared among the 166 farms. About forty farmers received their cheques on the first day.
However, Dr Yankey explained that those whose economic crops would be destroyed on the land for the project would be paid their full compensation when the project starts soon.
About 19 square kilometers land in the Domunli Enclave has been acquired for the project.
Dr Yankey expressed gratitude to the farmers for their patience for both the company and the Government over the delay in the payment of their compensation.
The District Chief Executive for Jomoro, Mr Sylvester Dadie, urged the beneficiary farmers to invest their monies into income generating ventures to enhance their socio-economic status.
They should consider the money as seed capital to offer sustainable and alternative sources to their economic crops sacrificed for the project.

Nana Ayebie Amihere VI, chief of Half Assini, who chaired the programme, on behalf of Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area, thanked the Government and the company for the compensation, saying it would relieve the farmers of their constraints.
He urged them to ensure the prompt payment of the compensation to be paid to land owners and farmers who have economic crops on the land for the project to ensure peace and harmony among all and sundry.
Most of the beneficiaries later told the GNA that the compensation paid did not commensurate with the economic values of their coconut and oil palm destroyed but they could not protest.
Meanwhile, the Gas Company has opened a Payment Desk at the Offices of the Jomoro District Assembly to issue cheques to the rest of the affected farmers.
Source: GNA

Seized second-hand mattresses burnt in Sekondi Metropolis

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), on Thursday burnt more than 500 seized second-hand mattresses at the Sofokrom engineered landfill site in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
The exercise is aimed at enforcing the Legislative Instrument (LI 1586) that banned the importation of used mattresses, panties, underwear, handkerchiefs, brassier and air-conditioners.
Mr Charles Amoako, Chief Standards Officer in charge of the Inspectorate Division of the GSA, who supervised the exercise, told journalists that the used-mattresses contained bacteria and other infectious diseases that could easily be transmitted to others.
He said the GSA in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade is preparing draft legislation and when passed into law, importers who bring in banned materials would be fined.
The GSA Officer in charge of Takoradi Port, Mr Edward Ofosuhene, explaining the modus operandi of how the mattresses were brought into the country indicated that, importers deliberately used them to protect the windscreens of their imported vehicles but later end up on the market for sale.
He said the Inspectorate Division of the GSA is high alert on highly-risk materials that are imported into the country, and would therefore seize and destroy them to serve as deterrent to others.
According to him, banned electronic appliances would be crushed at the Tema Steel Works so that other vital parts could be re-cycled for other purposes.

The Officer in charge of the Takoradi State Warehouse of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr Asante Agyei Boakye, pledged to ensure that no banned materials are smuggled into the country.
He debunked perception that some Custom officials condone and connive with importers to smuggle banned used materials into the country adding that the service would always protect the integrity and safety of Ghanaians.

Source: GNA

Goal-line technology given green light

Goal-line technology has been given the go-ahead by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

This followed a vote at Fifa headquarters in Zurich on Thursday.

Two systems – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef – have been approved after passing a series of scientific tests.

They will first be used at December’s Club World Cup and, if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

“With immediate effect, the manufacturers of goal-line technology can apply to FIFA for a licence to install their system. Before obtaining a licence, the technology must undergo a series of extensive laboratory and field tests as well as testing in simulated match situations,” a Fifa statement read.

“Once the tests have been passed and the application requirements have been met, the system is accepted into the licensing programme. After signing the contracts with FIFA, the manufacturer receives official authorisation to install the goal-line technology worldwide.

“Once the system has been installed in a stadium, it undergoes a final inspection to check its functionality. The results of the final installation test must be accepted by the licensee’s customer, i.e. the competition organiser, club or stadium operator, before the system can be put into operation.

“As soon as FIFA has received and checked all of the signed documents, the installation is awarded the FIFA QUALITY PRO mark. The goal-line technology can then be used in official matches.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Chelsea come of age in African football

Hans Van der Plyum says his Berekum Chelsea team have proved they are ready to compete against the best in the mini-stage of the CAF Champions League.

Ahead of the start of the group stage matches this weekend, Chelsea insist they are up for the challenge after eliminating Raja Casablanca and Coton Sport to reach the mini-league.

The Ghanaian side, making their continental debut are drawn against three former champions, TP Mazembe, Al Ahly and Zamalek in Group B.

And Chelsea begin their group campaign against Zamalek at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday with Van der Plyum, coach of the former Ghanaian champions insisting his side have gathered some experience from the preliminary round as they prepare for the tough battles ahead.

“We know Zamalek has a good track record in African football and we are expecting a tough challenge from them. We (Berekum Chelsea) have also gathered some level of experience playing from the preliminary round till this stage. Our determination will play a huge role in our quest for the three points,” said Van der Plyum.

The Berekum side, who have the competition’s leading scorer, Emmanuel Clottey in their fold with six goals, must overcome Hassan Shehata’s side to keep their quest for continental glory going.

“We have watched some clips of Zamalek and have an idea of their style of play. Also, our game against Raja Athletic Club, has equipped us with some knowledge on the North African game. We have the will, fighting spirit and are determined to come out tops,” the Chelsea coach said.

“We are hoping to win and win convincingly. We can only achieve that by taking our chances. Also, we want to begin our campaign on a good note, by grabbing all the three points.”

Chelsea will travel to Lubumbashi to face TP Mazembe on July 21 after their opening fixture against Zamalek.

And they will complete the first round with an away fixture against six-time winners Al Ahly in Cairo on August 3.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Replay ordered for Wassaman-Tema Youth match

Wassaman and Tema Youth will replay their outstanding quarter-final match in the MTN FA Cup competition following a ruling by the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Thursday.

After hearing statements from both sides, the Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned that both teams play at the same grounds for a place in the semi-finals.

“The Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association has directed that the abortive match between Wassaman and Tema Youth should be replayed,” an FA statement read.

Both teams failed to kick off their 10th June match at the Tarkwa T&A Park due to security concerns.

However, they will now meet on 11th July.

“The FA Cup Committee has therefore fixed Wednesday 11th July, 2012 for the above-mentioned match to be replayed at the T&A Park, Tarkwa, kick-off time is 2:30pm.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Minister urges effective supervision in schools

Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, has called for the strengthening of supervision in senior high schools (SHS) to help check acts of indiscipline.

He said the heads should do everything to ensure that both the teachers and students operated strictly within the confines of school rules and regulations.

This, he noted, was the path to academic success.

Mr Aidoo was addressing the 46th anniversary and speech and prize-giving day of the Bibiani Senior High Technical School at Bibiani.

“Striving for excellence, challenges and the way forward” was the theme for the event.

The Minister repeated the government’s commitment towards creating the right conditions to allow for effective teaching and learning.

It was in line with this that it had started the construction of a six unit classroom block and a two-storey boys’ dormitory for the SHS.

Mr Akwasi Agyemang- Antwi, the Headmaster, said the school needs an administrative block, dining and assembly halls as well as accommodation for the teachers.

He used the occasion to express appreciation to the parent-teacher association (PTA) and the district assembly for their immense support.

GNA

Ghana to face Malawi in final 2012 AFCON qualifier

Ghana’s Black Stars will face Malawi in the final round of the qualifying rounds of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

From the draw conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, the Stars will host the first leg on the weekend of 7-9 September before travelling to Blantyre on the weekend of 12-14 October.

The winner after the two-leg matches qualifies for the final tournament to be played in South Africa next year.

Ghana placed fourth at the 2012 edition of the Nations Cup held jointly in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The Black Stars were one of the 15 seeded nations which included Zambia, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and Tunisia.

Source: GNA
 

Bawumia congratulates Sarkodie on his BET award

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2012 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has congratulated Sarkodie for winning the country’s first ever Black Entertainment Television (BET) award.

Sarkodie, who was recently crowned the Artiste of the Year at the 2012 Ghana Music Awards, together with the Nigerian artiste Wizkid, were announced joint winners of the Best International Act (Africa) award at this year’s awards which came off at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Sunday night, July 1.

The two beat off competition from Iceprince (Nigeria), Camp Mulla (Kenya), Mokobe (Mali) and Lira (South Africa) to win the award which was jointly won by Nigerian artistes, D’banj and 2face Idibia last year.

The award made Sarkodie the first Ghanaian to win a BET award after failed attempts by Kojo Antwi in 2010 and D-Black in 2011.

Dr. Bawumia who was speaking to journalists at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Thursday night before his departure to the United States and Canada for a working visit, expressed his delight at the feats chalked by some Ghanaians in recent times citing Sarkodie’s award and Black Stars midfielder, Kwakwo Asamoah’s move to Juventus.

The astute and elated politician said, “I want to congratulate our champions… Sarkodie for his BET award, Kwadwo Asamoah just got transferred to Juventus and congrats on that … we wish all of them well.”

He was positive that there are many more talented Ghanaians who are also going to conquer on the international stage calling on all to “stand ready to support them, encourage and push them to take Ghana’s name higher on the international stage.”

Kontihene resurfaces; drops new single ‘You Go Pay’

After almost four years away from the spotlight, one of the most popular hiplife artistes of his time, Kontihene has announced his arrival back to the music circuit with a controversial single titled ‘You Go Pay.’
Kontihene, real name Emmanuel Nana Appiah Boateng, burst onto the scene in the early 2000s and attained instant success with his debut album, Nyankonton, which had hits like Akatasia and Asesa. Akatasia won him the topmost award at the Ghana Music Awards at that time, Song of the Year.

His next album was Nsoroma and although that did not make much of an impact, his last album Krohinkro in 2007 got him several nominations at the 2008 edition of the Ghana Music Awards.
His songs like Effeh, M’adamfo Pa Beko, Migizigi, and Africa Mama still receive airplay on radio.
Kontihene dropped off the radar after Krohinkro amid reports that he had relocated to the United States. Recently rumours around town claimed that he has become a born again a preacher.
According to sources, he was preparing to join the likes of K. K. Kabobo of Onyame Ahu Wo fame (who recently passed out from a theological institute as a pastor); Lord Kenya who is an evangelist and Ofori Amponsah.
But speaking on Adom FM’s Brunch Time show, Work and Happiness on Wednesday July 4, Kontihene debunked those rumours saying he took a break from active music so he could study the current trends in hiplife and make an informed decision on the way forward for his career.
He noted that “when you reach the peak of your music career, it is good to stay on the fence and allow new entrants to also show their worth so that you can truly appreciate the diverse talents and strategically position yourself before you release another song.”
It looks like the right time has arrived for this talented star who says he expects his new single to relaunch his career in a big way. You Go Pay was recorded in the UK and Kontihene said he chose that title to remind Ghanaians that we are all responsible for our actions and inactions and that we will one day pay for whatever we do.
The song highlights some of the immoral acts that are plaguing the Ghanaian society in recent times like politics of insult, promiscuity among others.
He also disclosed that even though he wasn’t singing during his time away, he had been busy writing songs for some Ghanaian artistes who are now making it big in the industry, but pointed out that some of the musicians he had helped over the years had not given him the credit he was due.
He said he was not perturbed about the lack of acknowledgement but rather saw it as his contribution to the development of the music industry in Ghana. He however urged his colleagues to shun what he described as the growing deceit that had crept into the music industry.
Kontihene also expressed his excitement at hearing Asem sample several lines from his old song, M’adamfo Pa Beko on his (Asem) new track, Bye Bye which features Kwabena Kwabena.

2012 Miss Ghana audition dates and venues announced

Exclusive Events Ghana, franchise holders and organizers of the 2012 Miss Ghana have announced venues and audition dates for this year’s edition of the country’s most prestigious beauty pageant.

Organizers said in a statement that auditions will be held in three key belts across the country namely the Northern, Middle and Southern belts.

The Northern belt will be made up of the Northern Region, Upper West and Upper East regions while the Middle belt will comprise the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions. Greater Accra, Volta, Western and Central regions make up the Southern belt.

According to the statement, auditions for the Northern belt will be held at the Picorna Hotel in Tamale on July 10 while that of the Middle and Southern Belts will be held on July 17 and July 24 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi and Accra respectively.

30 finalists, 10 from each zone, will be carefully selected by professional judges, who will take into consideration several factors including poise, elegance, eloquence, intelligence, beauty with a purpose and direction.

In all, 20 finalists will be selected for the national finals, which would take place in Accra weeks after the auditions.

Before the finale, the 20 will be properly groomed in an exciting reality show that would be shown on national television. There will, however, be no weekly evictions.

For the first time in the 55-year history of the pageant, the winner and and first and second runners-up will all be presented with brand new saloon cars. The winner will walk away with her car while the two runners up will first use their cars in official capacities for a year before they assume ownership of them.

Five communities benefit from oil palm seedlings.

Two thousand five hundred individuals from five communities in the Pestea Huni/Valley district are going to be supplied with 1.34 million oil palm seedlings to help in reducing the increasing number of people who engage in illegal mining activities.
The beneficiary communities; Huni/Valley, Amoanda, Himan, Bogoso and Nsuta-Mbease will be provided with the seedlings free of charge.
Mr. Richard Kofi Afenu, Sector manager policy and planning at minerals commission said this at Amoanda on Wednesday when Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources together with some officials and board members of minerals commission paid a two day familiarization visit to Prestea Huni/Valley and Tarkwa Nsueam assemblies.
According to the sector manager, the project which started in 2007 aimed at assisting mining communities to alleviate poverty will cover twenty thousand hectors of land.
Mr. Afenu said initially the development partners cleared the farms of the beneficiaries but due to the increasing number it has been suspended for a while.
In addition to the seedlings, free agro chemicals and wire mesh will be provided to the farmers to protect the seedlings from being destroyed.
He said the alternative livelihood programme will support mining communities in the long term after the various mining companies in the area have closed down.
Mr. Afenu added that Minerals Commission has made advanced marketing plans with Unilever Ghana Limited to buy the palm fruits from the farmers when harvested adding that this will enable them generate better income.
Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on his part encouraged Minerals Commission to acquire appropriate technology in the near future that can explore and add value to what the farmers produce.
He said the technology should be the brand that will suit the local community.
Mr. Ben Ayei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Minerals Commission emphasized that the delay in releasing fund for the project has been their major challenged.
The CEO appealed to the development partners to release the funds on time to enable the commission run the project effectively.
Mr. Kwame Gyasi Sarpong, one of the thirty beneficiaries of the project at Bompieso commended the developmental partners and minerals commission for instituting such programme.
He appealed to the supporting agencies to assist them with more fertilizers.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO SET UP MINERAL REVENUE FUND

Dr. Toni Aubyn, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, has appealed to Government to establish a mineral revenue fund to support development in mining areas.
He noted that there will be a need to separate all mineral revenue from the current inflows, and treat it as a special fund for special purposes.
This he said will ensure that Governments are not slack in developing other areas of the economy and collecting taxes.
Putting Mineral revenue in the consolidated fund or spending it as part of the annual budget will bring problems.
Dr. Aubyn however proposed that an account be set up for all mineral revenues, and a body setup, which ALONE will decide on which projects the mineral revenue would be used.
He said people living in mining areas complained that the mining companies have done virtually nothing for them because of the numerous taxes the companies pay to government.
Dr. Aubyn made the call when the Ghana Manganese Company Limited (GMCL) organized a stakeholders’ meeting for its catchment communities to present to their 2012 Community Relations budget.
He said government needed to increase the 5.5 percent of royalties paid to chiefs in mining areas to develop their communities, to 20 percent.
Mr. Jurgen Eijgendeal, Managing Director of GMCL, said the company has established a Corporate Social Responsibility budget to support projects in their catchment communities.
He said since the formation of the Esuaso Divisional Stool Council budget of the Chamber has increased from GH¢50,000 in 2002 to $579,000 in 2012.
Mr. Eijgendeal said the budget would cover infrastructural projects, scholarships and sponsorship to individuals.
Mr. Wisdom Adjei Mensah, Human Resource and Administrative Manager of GMCL, said the company and the traditional rulers would work together to transform the area.
Nana Esi Brew Monney

Six suspected drug peddlers arrested in Tarkwa

The Sekondi Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Police Service on Wednesday undertook a Police swoop at Tarkwa railway area, arresting six drug peddlers in the process.
The Police arrested five males and one female. They are Agnes Andoh, 42; Nicolas Ntamah, 19 with 68 wrappers of Indian hemp; James Obeng, 23 with 31 wrappers and three compressed parcels of “Wee”; Ekow Ankomah, 24, with 15 wrappers and quantities of Indian Hemp; Amadu Yaya, 50, and Akwasi Danso, 23.
The Unit Commander of the Sekondi Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Anthony Dogbey told westerngh.com in Sekondi.
He said the Police for sometime had been receiving reports from Tarkwa that some “wee smokers” had created ghettoes at Tarkwa railway area, harassing residents at night and dawn snatching people’s mobile phones, bags and other valuables.
ASP Dogbey said the Police mobilized their personnel and stormed the place around 0500 hours on Wednesday 4, and arrested the suspects while some managed to escape.
The Unit Commander indicated that the Police had burnt down the ghettoes and would continue to track down drug peddlers that were harassing people in the various communities.
He entreated the public to continue giving vital information to the Police to assist them in their investigations as well as to help eliminate crime in society.
ASP Dogbey advised parents to pay attention to their wards and always admonish them against engaging in drugs since it could land them into trouble or addiction.
The Police said those arrested would be put before court tomorrow after screening while investigations continue to track down those who escaped.

DVLA loses GH¢12,000 due to Kokompe artisans demonstration in Takoradi

The Authorities of the Driver Vehicle and Lincensing Authority (DVLA), on Wednesday lamented that Tuesday’s demonstration by the Kokompe artisans in Takoradi affected the work of DVLA.
The Takoradi licensing Officer of the DVLA, Mr. Godson Womegah, told journalists in Takoradi on Wednesday that the demonstrators blocked the road leading to the premises of the Authority thereby preventing people from accessing their services.
He said the Authority lost about GH¢12,000 as a result of the demonstration, and that the Authority could not renew licences, undertake test for those who had undergone driving courses, replace licences as well as failing to renew the road worthy certificates of motorists.
Mr. Womegah said that as much as the artisans have the right to demonstrate, they should not have blocked the main road leading to the office of the DVLA.
He said some officials of the Authority mounted a small office at the Edzii Roundabout, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Takoradi, but only three cars were registered because people did not know that it had set a temporary office there.
Mr. Womegah appealed to the authorities to expedite action on the rehabilitation of the road.
The Kokompe Garages Association Chairman, Mr. Joseph Sarpong, has asked members to exercise restraint as the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Urban Roads authorities we taking steps to put the road in good shape.
He said although the artisans expressed their sentiments and anger through the demonstration, the manner in which the Police fired tear gas was not the best.
Mr. Sarpong lamented that smoke from the tear gas affected children in a cluster of schools nearby and we sent to health facilities in the metropolis.
He appealed to the Police to exercise patience whenever it is faced with rioting demonstrators in order to save lives and property.
When the GNA visited the scene of the demonstration, calm had returned with schools and businesses opened for their routine activities.

Source: GNA

Media urged to collaborate with traditional auithorities

Mr. Tim Quashigah, a Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), on Wednesday asked the media to regard traditional authorities as partners in the promotion of good governance in the country.
He made the call at a two-day media and traditional authorities interface workshop, organized by the Participatory Development Associates (PDA) at Takoradi.
The workshop brought together selected media personnel, chiefs and queenmothers in the Western Region.
Mr.Quashigah said the media and traditional authorities needed to understand the roles of each to enable them collaborate effectively as partners.
He said the media cannot achieve much if they sideline traditional authorities who must be available to the media as and when it is necessary.
“The linkage between the media and traditional authorities is relevant to democratic governance”, Mr. Quashigah said.
He the media to consider the implications of what they put up, especially as it could affect the flow of direct foreign investment to the country.
Mr Quashigah asked journalists to promote Ghana’s culture to the world.
Madam Glowen Kyei-Mensah, Country Coordinator of Mwananchi Ghana, said the workshop formed part of the Mwananchi Project, which aimed at creating avenue for the voiceless to air their views and opinions on issues.
She said the project is part of the Overseas Development Institute of the United Kingdom 5-year action research project that is being implemented in seven African countries.
Madam Kyei-Mensah said the project seeks to enhance the ability of civil society, media, and elected representatives, to better access, understand and apply information and communication as a basic resource, process and strategy to shape government policy and practices that engage the interests and voices of citizens.
She said in Ghana, the project seeks to enhance dialogue among civil society organizations, media organizations and elected representatives to strengthen the capacity of partner organizations to effectively work on identified governance issues.
GNA

Minister orders police to confiscate galamsey equipment

Mr. Mike Hammah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on Tuesday directed the Police to confiscate the equipment of illegal miners at Bisicheim in the Western Region.
The directive forms part of measures to stop illegal miners (galamsey operators) from depleting the forest reserves and polluting water bodies.
He gave the order to the Police Commander in Prestea Huni/Valley District, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ben Wonkyi, when he and some members of the Minerals Commission toured some illegal mining sites at Prestea.
Consequently, some equipment including a tipper truck and seven excavators were seized and would be kept at the premises of the Prestea Police Station.
The illegal miner,s who were at work at the Golden Star Bogoso Prestea Limited’s concession, ran into a nearby bush when the operators of the machines were asked to hand over the keys.
Mr. Hammah expressed worry about the kind of heavy machines the illegal miners were using.
He said illegal mining had become a national crisis and traditional rulers needed to assist the government to curb by refraining from leasing stool lands meant for its indigenes and the public to individuals who mine haphazardly.
Mr. Hammah said judges and prosecutors needed to be engaged on the issue in view of the threat it posed to the future of the country and that the government would ensure that PNDC Law 218, which deals with mining without license, was enforced.
He said both the district and regional security councils would be involved in flushing out of illegal miners and special courts should be set up to deal with the illegal miners.
Mr. Hammah said his outfit would continue to sensitize chiefs and the entire populace on the need to desist from this harmful practice and appealed to Ghanaians to adopt positive attitudes towards the environment.
Mr. Ofori Amanfo, Public Relations Officer of a task force which monitors the activities of these miners in Prestea, said the illegal mining site with the equipment was owned by a Chinese citizen.
Mr. Amanfo said he had spotted the Chinese men on several occasions on the site that had been in operation for more than two years.
Mr. Nuhu Mohammed Mustapha, district secretary of Small Scale Miners Association in Prestea, said the association had written to GSBPL to release that particular land the foreigners were mining to them but it declined.
He said the association had even appealed to the Company to release the alluvia and hard rocks from the Ankobra Bridge through Tarkwa-Bremang, which were not useful to it to the local community to utilize but they had not been given that too.

Axim gas explosion: Seven more fire victims buried

Burial took place at Axim on Tuesday of seven more victims of a fire outbreak at a pre-mix fuel depot at Bawire last month.

The victims were Samuel Kwesi, 21, Joshua Nyamekye, 40, Justice Arthur, 53, Anthony Amissah, 47, Benjamin Cudjoe, 40, J.S. Addah Quansah, 46 and Dominic Dauda, 42.

Speaking at the burial and memorial service organised by the Local Council of Churches and the Nzema East Municipal Assembly at Axim, Mr Paul Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, said the disaster was a clarion to the people to unite and assist each other in times of need.

He expressed joy about the way community members and the Ghana National Fire Service went to scene of the accident to rescue those at the pre-mix fuel depot and commended the medical team who attended to the victims at the Axim Government Hospital.

Mr Aidoo said this showed that Ghanaians are one people who should bury their political, religious and cultural differences to move the country, the region and their communities forward.

He said: “It is significant that those who went to the assistance of the people at the depot did not care whether they were National Democratic Congress or New Patriotic Party and questioned their ethnic background.”

Nii Amasa Namoale, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in-charge of fisheries, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Deputy Minister of Energy, Mrs Catherine Afeku, Member of Parliament for Evalue Gwira Ajomoro, Mr Kojo Appiah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama, Reverend Ackah Cobbinah, Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Sylvester Dadieh, DCE for Jomoro and Mr Ransford Ninson, Regional Police Commander, were among the dignitaries that attended the function.

Source: GNA

Ghana Gas to begin compensation payment to farmers affected by gas project

The Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) Limited is expected to begin the payment of GH¢57,631 tomorrow (July 5, 2012) as compensation to farmers who lost their crops during boundary demarcation and topographic survey for a gas infrastructure project at Domunli in the Jomoro District in the Western Region.

About 166 farms were affected during the boundary demarcation exercise for the gas project, which is estimated to cost $850 million.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNGC, Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey, said the crops lost during the demarcation exercise included cassava, coconut, oil palm and mango.

He said the assessment was based solely on the number offarms lost, not on the number of farmers who lost their farms.

For instance, it was found that some farmers owned more than a farm and for that reason it was more prudent to access the damage based on farmlands, not on individual farmers.

He said the boundary demarcation was conducted by Rudan Engineering Limited, a licensed surveying company in Ghana, while the Western Regional Site Advisory Committee approved of site plan for the gas infrastructure project on January 18, 2012.

Dr Yankey further explained that the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission carried out a crop enumeration and evaluation exercise and subsequently issued standard forms bearing names, passport photographs, geographic locations and technical descriptions of affected property of affected farmers. ¬

The CEO said the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission submitted a report on the project to the GNGC on May 8, 2012 for action.

According to him, the GNGC was partnering with the Half-Assini branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) for the issuance of bank payment orders, adding that cash payments were being discouraged for security reasons.

He said farmers would be fully compensated for economic crops lost when the GNGC started the LPG Tank Farm Project.

Source: Daily Graphic

Galamsey pit caves in on three persons at Hiawa

An illegal mining pit on Monday caved in on three men who went prospecting for gold nugget at Hiawa in Amanfi West District.

The deceased who were illegal miners have been identified as Kwame Afedze 29, Yaw Sarpong 27 and Yaw Bassako 35.

Briefing westerngh.com on the tragedy, Assistance Superintendent of Police (ASP), Emmanuel Nuirisor, Crime Officer in charge of Prestea Huni/Valley District said the unpleasant incident happened on Monday around 1300 hours.

He said as a result of a land slide that occurred following the continuous rainfall in the area, the deceased were resting on top of the pit when it suddenly caved in and trapped them to death.

ASP Nuirisor said the bodies of the deceased have since been retrieved and deposited at the Wassa Akropong government hospital morgue for autopsy.

Fuel tankers to be monitored with tracking devices

The Chief Executive of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), Mr Kwaku Agyeman Duah, has stated that the implemen¬tation of the policy to use tracking devices on all fuel tankers within the country will com¬mence next month.

The move is to trace and track all fuel tankers that load fuel from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and other loading points across the country and on their way to their final destinations.

He made the disclosure at a dealers and super¬visors’ convention organised by Star Oil Company Limited, one of the leading oil market¬ing ventures in Ghana.

He expressed worry over the reported cases of adulteration of fuel, as well as the diversion of the fuel by some unscrupulous tanker drivers and their collaborators, and noted that the tracking device was a major breakthrough in minimising those bad acts.

Mr Agyeman-Duah cautioned that the least adulteration of fuel would attract a fine of at least GH¢20,000, as well as other punitive measures, including the withdrawal of the operating licence of the offending company.

He said the AOMC had intensified its educational campaign among operators, especially those at the dispensing points, on safety meas¬ures, particularly to prevent the outbreak of fires and, when they occurred, how to contain them.

He was full of praise for Star Oil for observing a high sense of responsibility in ensuring that its dealers and workers adhered strictly to safety measures.

The Chairman of Star Oil, Mr Vincent Kaledzi, announced that the company would, before the end of the year, introduce floating meters on all tankers to ensure that fuel station operators would have another means of knowing the quantity of fuel they received.

He noted that the government had done extremely well by colouring premix fuel to distin¬guish it from other fuel products, a decision which he said had yielded positive results.

He announced that Star Oil had introduced coupons and gave an assurance that next year the company would implement the use of its electron¬ic cards to make the purchase of fuel products from its stations very easy and safe.

The National Co-ordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Jacob Amuah, expressed concern over the indiscriminate siting of fuel stations across the country, especially in residential areas, without proper approval.

Source: Daily Graphic

Chirano Mines gets new General Manager

Mr. Kenneth Norris, an international mining professional has been appointed as the new General Manager of Chirano Gold Mines Limited with effect from July 1, 2012.
Mr. Norris takes over from Mr. John Seaward, who having served the Chirano Gold Mines Limited for the past seven years, retired from active service on June 30, 2012 and has since returned to Australia.
Mr. Norris a native of Canada has over 15 years of experience in mining and has worked at senior leadership levels in remote locations around the world, including Africa.
He is fluent in English, French and Spanish and has extensive experience in building strong community relations in diverse locations including Spain, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Nicaragua.
Until recently, he was Vice-President; in charge of Project Development at Stone gate Agricom where he led the prefeasibility study for an underground phosphate mine and the development of two phosphate rock projects in Peru and Idaho, USA.
Prior to this role, Mr. Norris was Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Minas de Aguas Teñidas S.A. in Huelva, Spain, and managed the completion and commissioning of a $300 million Greenfield underground mine and processing facility.
He was also COO at GMA Resources where he led the feasibility study, financial evaluation, design and construction of an open pit gold heap leach project located in Southern Algeria.
Mr. Norris joined Kinross Gold Corporation on May 17th 2012

Black Stars slip down on world ranking table

Ghana have dropped eight places on the monthly FIFA world ranking table with the changes influenced greatly by both the UEFA EURO 2012 and OFC Nations Cup.

A total of 133 international ‘A’ matches have been played in recent weeks, made up of 31 EURO 2012 matches, 60 qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, 15 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and 27 friendlies.

All of these contests have clearly reshuffled the global ladder, with only 22 of the 208 ranked teams holding their position from the previous month, while 85 teams have moved up the table and 101 have dropped at least one place.

Source: Ghanafa.org

The Black Stars are now placed 33rd on the overall table released today as the July edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking showed major changes.

Ghana’s point accumulation which stood at 816 in the past month, has also dropped to 707 points.

Despite the drop, the Black Stars, are still Africa’s second best side behind Ivory Coast.

Algeria remain third with Libya in fourth position on the continental ranking table.

European champions, Spain maintained their top position with Germany moving second while Uruguay dropped to third.

Berekum Chelsea-Zamalek clash moved to Accra

Berekum Chelsea’s clash with Egyptian side Zamalek in Group A of the African Champions League on Saturday has been moved to Accra.

Saturday’s Group A was originally scheduled to be played in Berekum but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered for the game to be played in the capital.

The match will be played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

Kick-off time is 2pm local time or 1400GMT.

The various supporter groups will be allowed free entry into the stadium.

The gate fees for the match are Five Cedis for the VIP area and Two Ghana Cedis for all the other seating areas.

The media can use their normal media ID cards to report on the match.

Source: Ghanafa.org

I’m still ‘Chrife’

Ghana’s only female dancehall singer, Grace Awo Ocansey, better known as Kaakie says people shouldn’t be surprised about her doing dancehall even though she is a strong believer in Christ.“Yes, I admit I have been a member of the Christian Fellowship (aka “Chrife”) since my school days and those who have known this expect me to do gospel but I prefer dancehall.
That’s how God has channeled the talent He gave me.”
Kaakie told Showbiz last Monday “Instead of people talking, why don’t they pray for me to be better at what I do? I am not killing anyone or am I? I’m only using my talent and I think it’s helping me. Nothing can make me lose focus on what I’m doing because I have passion for it.”
Born to Mrs Abigail Boye and Mr David Ocansey, both accountants, Kaakie said she still sings and attends church service regularly. She said the only time she misses church is when she performs late into Sunday morning.
The 21-year-old nursing student of the University of Ghana told Showbiz she is very particular about her Christian life and the fact that she is seen as “Chrife” doesn’t mean she should do gospel music. Dancehall is a language and lifestyle although, she says, she does not portray its lifestyle. “Just as Ga is my language so is Patois someone’s language so if I sing in someone’s language is it a bad thing? Moreover, I have passion for dancehall that’s why I’m doing it.”
Clearing criticisms that she dresses indecently, the Toffee Pon Tongue singer said “I don’t think people should complain about my dressing.” How many times have they seen me in something really hot? Most of the time I’m in trousers and most importantly depending on how classy my costumier wants me to be, she decides what dress would be fit for the show. Of course whenever I am not comfortable with wearing a particular costume, we drop it.”
Kaakie said she realized her talent when she was in primary school. She said she danced a lot then but when she got to Junior High School she started singing and her friends didn’t appreciate it “because I didn’t have a good voice but I knew what I wanted to do” she said. “I always told my best friend I wanted to be a star so when I started singing I knew it was a gift from God.”
As to how she combines music with schooling, the singer said it’s very challenging because both require attention and time and it gets serious when she has to attend to both at the same time but with the help of her managers, she’s able to come out successfully.
Is the young female singer making a lot of bucks in her career? She responded, “I can happily say the pay is good. I’m grateful that people appreciate my act and that’s why I’m getting all the offers. At least it tells me I’m doing a good job”.
She said she felt honoured as a musician and gives thanks to God that all her songs have turned out to be hits and adds that she’ll come out with an album hopefully in September. Another addition that will indeed maintain her as “too much.”

Source: Graphic Showbiz

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Stars ready to honour Jones Attuquayefio

Footballing greats have pledged to line up for the match in honour of celebrated coach, ‘Sir’ Cecil Jones Attuquayefio which will also seek to raise funds to support the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
The charity kick about between two teams, the ‘Friends of Attuquayefio’ and the Black Stars will come off at Accra Sports Stadium at 5:00pm.
‘Sir’ Cecil Jones Attuquayefio has been celebrated on many fronts for his coaching success but on Friday a host of stars of yesteryear will dust off their boots to play the charity soccer match in his honour.
Players who served under him during his trophy-laden years at Hearts of Oak will represent the ‘Friends of Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio’ team against a select Black Stars team to be coached by assistant Ghana coach, Maxwell Konadu.
The 68 year-old coach guided the Phobians to a host of trophies which includes, their first Champions League title in 2000, the Super Cup and the maiden edition of the CAF Confederations Cup in 2004.
In 1998, he led the national U-17 team, the Black Starlets to win the African Under-17 Cup in Guinea and followed it up to win bronze at the World Under-17 tournament in New Zealand in 1999.
Whilst still in charge of Hearts of Oak in the year 2000, he was given an added responsibility of coaching the senior national team, the Black Stars through the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup qualifying series.

Source: Ghanafa.org
 

Black Satellites to face Benin in friendly

The Black Satellites will play Benin’s U20 side in an international friendly on Saturday.
The match will be played at the Tema Sports Stadium.
Kick-off time is 3pm.
The match is part of Ghana’s preparation for the start of the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers.
Ghana’s U-20 side will open their qualifying campaign on 26th July when they take on Uganda.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Ethics Committee decides on alleged bribery

The Ethics Committee, chaired by DCOP Kofi Boakye (Vice-Chairman), has recommended the dismissal and ban of Mr. S.Y Berimah and Mr. Andrew Gyakye Frimpong respectively after ending proceedings in the matter of alleged bribery.
Mr. S.Y Berimah, Chairman of the Appointment Committee and Mr. Andrew Gyakye Frimpong Chairman of Dabiso Royal F.C were both found guilty.
Ethics proceedings against Mr. S.Y Berimah was opened on 19th June, 2012 into a case of alleged bribery.
Having listened to the extracts of the interviews the R.F.A Chairman (Mr. Augustine Asante), the Chairman of Dabiso and the Chairman of the Appointment Committee had on Radio Gold FM and their submission when called before the Committee, the Ethics Committee decides that:
Mr. S.Y Berimah is dismissed as chairman of the B.A Referees Association without prejudice to further criminal action.
Mr. S.Y Berimah should further refund the GH¢1000.00 he accepted taken from the Chairman of Dabiso Royal F.C to the GFA.
III. Chairman of Dabiso Royal F.C, Mr. Andrew Gyakye Frimpong being an accomplice is banned from all football activities for six (6) months and fined GH¢2000.00.

Source: Ghanafa.org
 

Adiyiah attempts to find his steps again

Dominic Adiyiah produced devastating form that impressed Italian giants, AC Milan to snap him up after the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
The Ghana striker, who finished the youth tournament as the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe winner after helping the Black Satellites win gold has since not matched the potential that greeted his emergence onto the World stage.
But a six month loan spell with Ukrainian side, Arsenal Kyiv from Milan last season appears to have revived Adiyiah’s career with many even writing him off.
Adiyiah, 22, is calling his new territory, home, as he seeks to rediscover his spark after completing a permanent three-year deal this week with the Ukrainian side.
“I chose to sign with Arsenal Kyiv for a reason and that is to get more playing time,” said the Ghana international.
The striker, by his own admission, has had times when he wondered whether he was finished.
“With the kind of support I enjoyed from the coach and the inspiration from my colleagues during the few days I spent with them last season, things will definitely get better with this move,” Adiyiah said.
“I have a target to score and help them both in the league and the Europa competition.”
Source: Ghanafa.org

Muntari targets early injury return

Sulley Muntari is hoping to recover from a knee injury even before his expected due date.
The Ghana and AC Milan midfielder last week underwent surgery to repair ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments after suffering an injury during an exhibition game in Accra.
The 27 year-old player has already started physiotherapy sessions just days after the operation which had ruled him out for six months.
Muntari thinks he can be ready for before January 2013 but he is not pushing himself too early.
“It is the first major injury of my career, I have been quite lucky really. I was playing football with my friends, not on the beach though – I don’t go the beach, I can’t swim. It was a normal pitch. I could have picked up an injury playing for the national team, instead it happened in these circumstances. It hurt and so I immediately called Milan. Is Adriano Galliani angry with me? He has every right to be, but I know my body and what its reaction will be: I will be back soon. I’m not saying I’ll recover in a couple of days and I know I can’t push myself too far, but I will be back soon. January? Earlier. In any case, the club has stood beside me and will wait for my complete recovery.”
The Ghanaian who joined Milan from rivals, Inter in January, scored three goals in 13 Serie A appearances last season.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Media told to demand disclosure of petroleum contracts

The media must request the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and other related institutions to disclose petroleum contracts to enhance accountability and transparency.
Ghanaian journalists were also asked to be vigilant on the management of the petroleum revenue in order to get the public well informed and to avoid corruption.
The programmes officer for the Friends of the Nation in charge of extractive industry, Mr. Solomon Ampofo, made the call at a capacity building workshop for media practitioners on Oil and Gas, organised by the NGO at Takoradi, on Wednesday.
He said the Petroleum Revenue Management Act provides a framework for the allocation, collection and management of petroleum revenue in responsible, transparent and accountable manner.
This is to ensure that Ghana’s petroleum resources are utilised judiciously to benefit the entire citizenry and not a few privileged people, he explained.
The Officer in charge of Natural Resources, Mr. Kyei Kwodwo Yamoah, said the management of the oil and gas would be a curse if regulatory bodies in the overlooked the environmental impact of the oil industry.
He called for strict environmental assessment of the operations of the oil companies by the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory authorities to avert oil spillage and pollution of the environment.

Mr. Yamoah recalled some incidents such as the death of whales and detection of seaweeds along the coastal lines near the Jubilee Oilfields as worrying and advocated the vigilance of all and sundry.
A Chief Programme Officer of the EPA, Mr. Shine Fiagome, assured the public that the Agency had the necessary expertise in monitoring the oil fields to avert pollution.
He said the EPA had been continuously building the capacity of its staff to ensure that the oil companies abide by best international practices.
Mr. Fiagome said the World Bank had approved a vessel for the Agency to mount surveillance on the Jubilee Oilfields.
He said the Norwegian Development Corporation had also promised to support the EPA to build a state-of-the-art laboratory in Sekondi for the testing of the sea to detect any pollution.

Source: GNA

Western Region gets GH¢400,000 HIV/AIDS Response Fund

The Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) has established a GH¢400, 000 Regional HIV/AIDS Response Fund to complement the efforts of the government and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to adequately respond to HIV/AIDS related issues.
Mr. Abu Mahama, the Regional Technical Coordinator of the GAC, said an 11-member Management Board of the fund, which is to be launched in August this year, has been formed with the Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, as the chairman.
Mr. Mahama said the fund will focus on addressing HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination.
Mr. Mahama said the fund would also support People Living with HIV/AIDS to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme and to form cooperatives to enable them to obtain soft loans to embark on income generating ventures.
He said orphans, vulnerable children and dependents of People Living with HIV/AIDS, as well as commercial sex workers would be assisted to acquire employable skills and learn trades.
Mr. Mahama said depending on the amount raised, the fund would assist hospitals to procure CD4 count machines to monitor the viral load of people exposed to the virus to implement interventions to strengthen their immune systems.

There are 14 CD4 count machines in the Region, he said, and this was not enough to cater for about the 12,653 People Living with HIV/AIDS in the area.
Mr. Mahama said there are about 3,448 people on anti-retroviral drugs and 3,318 HIV positive pregnant women in the Region.
Source: GNA

Religious leaders urged to promote road safety

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has called on religious institutions to educate their members on the need to adhere to the road traffic rules.
Mr John Appiah, Executive Director of NRSC, said the number of accidents, fatality and injury on roads were increasing everyday because of reckless driving and over speeding on the roads.
He said more education would be given to all drivers and driving schools would be established to train drivers on the road traffic regulations.
Mr Appiah said as part of their objective, driving licenses would be screened to ensure that each driver had a valid license adding that the class of the driver’s license must match the class of vehicle the holder was driving.
Mr David Adonteng, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, NRSC, said five lives are lost every hour hence the need to create more awareness to educate drivers as well as pedestrians.
Mrs May Obiri Yeboah, Director of Planning and Programmes, NRSC, appealed to religious bodies to educate their members on the need to act with caution when on the roads.
GNA

Axim gas explosion: Victims laid to rest

Three fishermen who were burnt beyond recognition in a fire accident at a premix fuel depot at Bawire last week were on Tuesday laid to rest at Axim.
Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, deputy Minister of Energy and Nii Amasa Namoale, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and some District Chief Executives attended the funeral and burial service.
Mr Ahwoi expressed the condolence of the government to the bereaved families and saying everything would be done to prevent the re-occurrence of tragedy in future.
Earlier, the government delegation had visited injured victims of the accident who were on admission at the Axim Government Hospital and wished them speedy recovery.
Mr Aidoo presented the victims with unspecified amount of cash to assist them meet some of their needs.
The delegation also visited the scene of the accident.

Source: GNA

Assemblies urged to do more to support the police

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ranford Moses Ninson, the Western Regional Commander has appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to do more to support the police by way of logistics.
He said it would not be out of place for example to provide them with vehicles and fuel to enable them to effectively fight crime.
DCOP Ninson was speaking at a meeting with the Justice and Security sub-committee of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Assembly at Bibiani.
He was in the area as part of a familiarization tour.
The Regional Commander identified growing activities of illegal miners in the area as one of the major security challenges and said police were determined to rein them in.
He said they were ready to deal decisively with illegal mining and other crimes.
DCOP Ninson later addressed officers and men of the police service and reminded them to be alert, even-handed and to maintain high standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
They should also remain politically neutral to win the confidence of the people, especially as preparations towards the December general elections intensified.
DCOP Ninson warned them against acts of indiscipline and corrupt practices, saying these would not be tolerated.
GNA

Olam employee fined for dishonesty

The District Officer of the Bogoso branch of Olam Ghana Limited, Isaac Arthur, has been fined GHȼ 930 by a Tarkwa Circuit Court for dishonestly receiving 180 bags of cocoa.
He pleaded not guilty.
Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant is the area manager of Daiby Company Limited in Bogoso while the first accused who is now at large is the district manager in the same company and the second accused Isaac Arthur both lived and worked in Bogoso.
He said at the end of the 2010-2011 cocoa seasons, the first accused submitted a report to the complainant indicating that an amount of GHȼ 17,200 being the cost of 86 bags of cocoa was given to purchasing officers to procure cocoa which are yet to be accounted for.
Inspector Amponsah said the complainant further stated that 203 bags of cocoa valued GHȼ 40,600 had been heaped at the company’s depot at Petopom near Bogoso was awaiting to be evacuated to the port.
He said based on this report the complainant went to the depot to verify but to his surprise there was no cocoa at the depot.
Inspector Amponsah said during that same period 2000 bags of fertilizer amounting to GHȼ 50,000 was supplied to the first accused to be sold to farmers but he was able to account for GHȼ 19,082.00 of the amount.
He said on May 6, 2011 the complainant made a report to the police and in the course of investigation it was detected that the first accused sold unspecified number of cocoa bags to the second accused person.
Inspector Amponsah said one Emmanuel Cobbinah an employee of the second accused told the police he sent 30 bags of cocoa from Diaby Ghana Limited depot at Petapom to OLAM Ghana Limited depot at Bogoso with the company’s Kia truck on April 9.
He said on 25 of the same month, Cobbinah said he used the same vehicle to conveyed additional 150 bags of cocoa from their company to the same destination under the supervision of both accused persons.
The Prosecutor said on May 23 Emmanuel Cobbinah was arrested and during interrogation, he identified the second accused as the person who instructed him to convey a total of 180 bags of cocoa to his depot.

Inspector Amponsah said efforts are being made to locate the where about of the first accused person.
GNA

Fisherman drowns in sea after fleeing guards

A 70-year old fisherman, Uncle kwasi Ackon, popularly known as “Atsentsen” met his untimely death when he drowned in the sea at Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
An eyewitness, Kwasi Badu, told the GNA in an interview in Axim on Friday that the deceased went to the Axim beach around 0500 hours on Thursday morning on Thursday, to defecate.
He said while he was defecating on the beach, a security taskforce formed by the Zoil Brigade (a committee mandated to clean the beaches) to ensure sanity and clean environment at the beaches spotted him and gave him a hot-chase.
Badu said Uncle Ackon dived into the sea with the intension of escaping from arrest and many thought he had escaped from the taskforce but only woke up the next morning on Friday June 22, and found the lifeless body of Uncle Ackon lying on the beach.
He said a report was made to the Axim police and the corpse was deposited at the Axim Government Hospital morgue pending autopsy.
Superintendent of Police Victor Oduro, the Axim District Police Commander, confirmed the death of Uncle kwasi Ackon but could not state whether he was chased by the Zoil Brigade security taskforce and added that police investigation continues.

GNA

Invest in hospitality industry at Half Assini

A civil servant has appealed to investors to invest in the hospitality industry in the Jomoro District to help solve accommodation challenges facing the district.
The Jomoro District Coordinating Director, Mr Amadu Adams, made the appeal at a meeting with executives of the Jomoro District Traditional Caterers’ Association at Half Assini on Thursday.
He said with influx of visitors to the area especially the district capital, Half Assini, in view of the emerging oil and gas industry, there had been accommodation shortage in the town.
Mr Adams said the situation has compelled most visitors to Half Assini to spend the night in nearby districts.
Citing an example, he said, participants at a recent coordinating directors’ meeting held at Half Assini had to be paired due to insufficient accommodation.
Madam Agatha Buah, Secretary of the Association, appealed to the Jomoro District Assembly to support the members financially to enable them improve on their businesses.

Source: GNA

PURC urges public to report unsatisfactory service

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has urged the public to report any unsatisfactory service rendered by the utility companies to their offices for redress to ensure a healthy relationship between service providers and consumers.
Mr Jude Aduamoah-Addo, the Eastern Regional Director of the PURC, said PURC had considered setting up committees in the districts where consumers could lodge their complaints for prompt action.
He said this at a forum at Suhum on Thursday,to sensitize the public on the mandate of the PURC and what was required of the utility companies.
Mr Aduamoah-Addo cited instances like power cuts without prior information or water disruptions as some of the areas that the PURC wanted the utility companies to be up and doing by giving prior information to for customers.
He said disconnecting people on Fridays which could lead to one not having lights or water throughout the weekend because the particular company does not work over the weekend was not acceptable unless the customer was assured of prompt reconnection at the instance of payment irrespective of the day.
Mr Aduamoah-Addo said there were many issues that the utility companies grossed over due to the public’s ignorance and added that the PURC had been mandated to probe into such issues to ensure a high standard of service delivery to consumers and therefore urged the public to bring their complaints.
Participants at the forum chastised the two major utility providers, the ECG and the GWC, over disconnection, billing and other services, which had not been genuine and expressed the hope that the PURC would be up to their task.

Source: GNA

IPR urged to engage government for national development

Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, has appealed to the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana, to deploy research and analysis, policy formulation, programming, communication and feedback as tools to engage government on national issues.
He expressed the hope that such engagements would not only make IPR “visible” but relevant to sustaining the country’s economic growth and national development.
Dr Aubynn was speaking at the second in series of public lectures organised by IPR as part of activities to mark 40th anniversary celebration of the Institute.
The theme for the anniversary celebration is “IPR at 40: Consolidating the Image of Ghana as a Peaceful and Democratic Nation”.
Other activities include a Presidential luncheon, awards and dinner night.
He spoke on theme: “The Role of Public Relations in Sustainable Economic Growth and National Development” and suggested that IPR could contribute to public discourse and state its professional position on national issues such as the much-debated single-digit inflation and use of intemperate language.
He expressed worry that successive opposition political parties had “damned” the issue of inflation, making it appear as if achieving single-digit inflation meant that prices of goods necessarily had to go down.

Dr Aubynn described the situation as worrying and said “When inflation goes down, it does not necessarily mean that prices of goods had gone down, but rather it means that the rate at which prices are shooting up, is relatively slow”.
On pockets of simmering tension in the country, he condemned what he described as “machosmic posture” taken by some politicians belonging to the two major political parties in the country whose hard and misguided attitude and pronouncements threatened the peace of Ghana’s democratic credentials and peaceful process.
Dr Aubynn called on the citizenry to contribute towards consolidating Ghana’s socio-economic and political gains.
He cautioned public relations practitioners against slipping into gimmickry and to avoid being used for political paroquial interest.
Dr Aubynn suggested that IPR could seek support from the Business Advocacy (BUSAC) Fund to organise training to hone out the skills of practitioners.

GNA

Nigeria Female journalists calls on GJA

Africans have for so long underutilised the potentials of women under the guise of culture and that needs to be changed, Mr Bright Kwame Blewu, General Secretary of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said on Friday.
Addressing members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Accra, Mr Blewu said men who had been in the forefront of leadership for long time in Africa have also been sources of conflicts on the continent and women and children bore the brunt.
“Probably if we have been trying men all these while and the continent is faced with conflicts and war, then it is the time to give women the chance to deliver because they are more passionate about developmental issues,” he said.
The 25 female journalists led by Mrs Peace King-Kporvie, Host on Vibe FM, a local Ghanaian radio station and Mrs Julie Ekrong, Vice-Chairperson, NWOJ as part of their five-day visit to Ghana, called on the Executives of GJA to interact with members.
Dr Doris Yaa Dartey, Gender and Development Adviser, GJA and Mrs Linda Asante-Agyei, Treasurer together with Mr Blewu received the journalists.
Mr Blewu commended members of NAWOJ for coming together as women to champion the course of women and issues affecting them, saying such association help build the confidence and equip women for higher political and other public leadership positions.
He called on journalists in the sub-region to promote the regional integration process by writing more and informing the people on the processes for ECOWAS citizens to be well-informed about the countries and appreciate the sense of belongingness and oneness.
He said such integration could truly be achieved through visits like the one which NAWOJ members have paid to Ghana.
The General Secretary also stressed the need to revive the Ghanaian Association of Women in the Media to champion the course of women and children more passionately.
Mrs Ekrong said the group was visiting Ghana to get first hand information about the country, its people, media and other issues to enable members to report intelligently and factually back home.
She urged female journalists in Ghana to form similar association to facilitate the crusade on issues about women, children and the youth.

GNA

Police to auction abandoned vehicles

The Regional Police Command on Friday informed owners of abandoned vehicles at police stations in Accra that there is an impending exercise to auction such vehicles.
A statement from the Regional Command is asking owners who are interested in their vehicles to make arrangements to remove them from the stations before the take off of the exercise.
It said the exercise is to decongest police stations and other police premises in the Accra Region and vehicle owners should take advantage of the announcement to remove their vehicles.

Source: GNA

Ghana crowned champions of 2012 ECOWAS Games

Hosts Ghana emerged champions at the just ended Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) Games held 16-22 June with a staggering 35-medals.
The host nation scooped the highest number of medals at the second edition of the sub-regional games aimed promoting integration amongst member states.
Ghana led medal the table with 17 Gold, 11 Silver and nine bronze and was decorated with the honour of the most successful team at the six-day event that saw participants battling for honours in disciplines such as Athletics, Boxing, Handball, Volleyball and the Traditional Wrestling.
Perennial rivals Nigeria finished second with 13 Gold, 16 Silver and six Bronze. The Nigerians participated in all disciplines but Handball and Volleyball.
Senegal occupied third place four gold, four silver and two bronze, whilst Niger pulled out two gold, two silver and three bronze to claim the fourth position.
Cote d’Ivoire grabbed only two gold medals, with Benin in that order with one gold and two bronze. Togo also managed one gold medal.
Burkina Faso totaled three silver and three bronze, and Liberia with only one medal – silver
There were five bronze medals for Mali whilst Sierra Leone accumulated a solitary bronze to finish at the depth of the medals table.

The venues for the games were the El-Wak Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium.

GNA

Rawlings urges support for destitute ex-players

Former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings has called on current Black Stars players to support ex-Ghana players who are struggling to make ends meet.
The former leader of the country made the call on Friday when a delegation from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the family of the late Jordan Anagblah visited him to formally inform him of the death of the Vice-President of the GFA.
The late Anagblah, who was a close friend and ally of Mr. Rawlings, died in Accra last week after a short illness.
The delegation led by GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi and GFA Executive Committee members Fred Crenstil and George Afriyie informed Mr. Rawlings of plans to set up a fund to cater for the children of Anagblah.
The former leader of the country pledged his support for Anagblah’s funeral and called on current players who are doing well financially to support the needy in sports.
“I saddens me to see that people who served the country in the sports sector in the past are struggling. Those people played and served the country because they love the country,” Mr Rawlings said.
“Things have changed especially for the footballers who are playing in Europe. I want to advice them to help some of these former players who are struggling.
“Some of these great people who served the country in the past in the sports sector paved the way for the current players to be noted abroad.
“So when times like this (the setting up of the fund for Anagblah’s children) comes up these footballers should come out in their numbers to support.”

Mr. Rawlings, who was accompanied by Herbert Mensah, – a former chairman of Kotoko – recounted the good times he shared with the late Anagblah.
Nyantakyi thanked Mr. Rawlings for supporting Ghana football and assured him that the GFA will ensure a befitting burial for the late Anagblah.
Anagblah was 55.
He was elected Vice President of the GFA last year having served on the Executive Committee for over a decade.
He remained a pillar in the development of youth football through the country.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Be wary of politicians – NMC Chairman cautions media owners

The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Ambassador kabral Blay Amihere, has cautioned media owners not to allow financial inducements from political parties and politicians to undermine the peace we are currently enjoying in the country.
He said as we are entering into electioneering season there would be financial pressure from the various political parties to be given the platform to propagate their campaign message to the electorate.
However, he said, as media owners and chief executives, the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and guidelines of the National Media Commission (NMC) should guide their dealings in ensuring free, air and peaceful elections.
Ambassador Amihere made these remarks when speaking on the topic: “Promoting Free, Fair and Peaceful Elections-The Role of Media Owners and Chief Executives”, at a media workshop organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Takoradi.
The workshop was meant to engage media owners and chief executives in fruitful deliberations with the view of equipping them as major stakeholders to contribute positively towards civic education of the electorate in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections come December
It was under the theme: “Stand Up for Ghana” and it brought together media owners and chief executives from the region.
The NMC Chairman revealed that the Commission with support from the European Union would soon establish a monitoring scheme to monitor the media landscape aimed at ensuring adherence to the guidelines of the Code of Ethics of the Journalism profession.
Ambassador Amihere observed that the media in Africa have been accused of promoting conflict, especially in election years adding that media owners have a crucial role to play in stemming the tide of conflict by abiding by the ethics of the profession.
You the media owner would bear the final blunt if there is a problem as a result of inflammatory statement uttered on you network therefore you must ensure that there is sanity on your airwaves, he said.
Ambassador Amihere said although it is not wrong for media owners to have political interest, that should be exercised within the principles of fairness and objectivity instead of blatant lies and fabrication of stories to tarnish one’s hard won reputation.
The Deputy Western Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Alphonsus Arthur, said Ghana had been touted as the beacon of democracy on the African continent and there was the need to consolidate the gains made so far in our democratic credentials.
However, he said, the activities of the media in the country are saddled with many challenges such as sensationalism, divisive information, unsubstantiated allegations and insults.
This, according him, threatens the peace and stability of the country and advocated for stringent measures to manage and control the activities of the media to avert any warring situation in the country.
GNA

Kill the Smoke in the Chimney

As the young boy was growing up, he noticed a long chimney in the eastern part of Accra, which releases smoke and fire.
He asked Auntie Akua, the late mum, why flame and smoke always billowed from that long thing.
Auntie Akua told him that the facility forms part of the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO) and the boy suddenly remembered the company that produced aluminum bowls and other cookware.
Auntie Akua is no more, and the young boy, now an adult no longer see that smoke and flame because communities and buildings have sprung up, preventing him from seeing the smoke from the VALCO.
Apart from that chimney, he saw bakery chimneys and incinerator chimneys, but one thing that was common to all the chimneys was the emission of smoke.
The last chimney he saw was living human chimneys and wondered why human beings could also blow off smoke.
Some people take alcohol to “forget their problems;” others overeat, others eat less or go on diet, while others engage in sexual immorality to kill their boredom. Whichever way, does that solve their problems?
Smoke waft from the noses and mouth of living chimneys (human beings) and they say the smoke is sweet, and there is thrill in it.
With glee they draw puffs and swallow the gas down their throats to enjoy the excitement they say it offers.
After many gulps, their eyes become very red as if they have been subjected to 100 strokes of whips. But is this enjoyment?
Psychologists say suicide is a form of mental disease and so, deliberate acts to end one’s life could be tagged as mental problems.
Can one call smokers mad people? Abodamfo, sekeyeloi , adabatowo or goddotseme? Do they really have mental problems? Then they better get to the mental hospital for attention, for they are committing suicide, a criminal act. All smokers then need to be arrested.
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body – causes many diseases, and affect the health of smokers.
Smoking causes death, as tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally.
Compared with nonsmokers, smoking is estimated to increase the risk of coronary heart disease by two to four times, stroke by two to four times, men developing lung cancer by 23 times, women developing lung cancer by 13 times, and dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times.
It also has many adverse reproductive and early childhood effects, including increased risk for infertility, preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.
According to the World Health Organisation, the number of smoking related deaths worldwide has increased from 2.5 million in 1988 to five million in 2005 and eight million this year. And the global cigarette market has also expanded by 23 per cent in 2012 reaching 464.4 billion dollars. Really, death is for sale!
The world recently celebrated the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2012 on the theme: “Tobacco Industry Interference”.
It is worthy of note that the global tobacco industry is expanding its war against public health, beyond national courts into the international arena, and governments must understand the new threats and stand together to defend their sovereignty and public health.
Filtration and ventilation systems have in a number of cases been ineffective, but have, however, been promoted as a viable technology to smoking restrictions.
The call by anti-smoking campaigners for designation of smoking areas for the human chimneys has not provided effective protection for the public and workers from the deadly effects of secondhand smoking.
Utmost efforts must be made to stop the bullies (tobacco companies and their consumers) from interfering with the consideration stage of Ghana’s Public Health Bill by Parliament.
Smoking is bad and it is a sure killer. Those who smoke must remember that apart from the health implications, it is a sure way of demonic contact and influence.
Dousing the fire in the living chimneys is a must.

A GNA feature by Benjamin Mensah

FA Cup to observe a minute’s silence for Jordan

The FA Cup Committee has announced that a minute’s silence should be observed to remember the passing of Jordan Anagblah, Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association in this weekend’s semi-final match.
AshantiGold line up against Berekum Chelsea on Saturday June 23 at the Baba Yara Stadium in the last four stage of the Cup competition and both teams are to wear black armbands.
The Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association passed away last Thursday aged 55.

Source: Ghanafa.org

FIFA Grassroots programme set to start in Kumasi

FIFA will launch one of its key football development programmes in Kumasi on Friday to boost the game in the country.
Ghana has been selected as one of the venues to host the FIFA Grassroots programme which starts on Friday 22 June to Sunday 24th June 2012.
The world governing body’s development officer Yvon Avry has arrived in the country to lead the training programme that will involve coaches and 100 children.
The programme, aimed at helping to develop the game at the grassroots level, will see 27 Ghanaian coach educators undergoing training on how to train kids.
Education and Development officer of the Ghana Football Association, Francis Oti Akenteng will coordinate the programme which will see 100 children chosen from the schools in Kumasi to take part.
The programme, which will be directed by FIFA officials, is the first of its kind to be held in Ghana but has taken place in some African countries already.
The FIFA Grassroots programme places at its core, an emphasis on the notion of both education and fun for the children.
FIFA’s grassroots football programme targets boys and girls aged 6-12 years through school, community and club initiatives.
The key concept of the programme is to bring together as many people as possible through football.
The grassroots programme advocates exchanges and sharing human values and, of course, promotes the pleasure of practising our marvellous sport.
It also promotes mass participation and inclusivity; everyone has the right to play regardless of gender, age, skills, race, social origin and religion.

Source: Ghanafa.org

NPP leads in use of indecent expressions on radio – Report

The monitoring report of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), showed that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made most of the indecent expressions in the country.
The report which spanned from June 10 to June 16 indicated that the NPP has made seven out of the 12 indecent expressions with Mr David Osei, Member of NPP Communication Team making four of the seven indecent pronouncements.
A press statement issued on Thursday by MFWA and copied to the Ghana News Agency said Kumasi-based Angel FM was the only radio station on which four of the indecent expressions were made while Accra-based Radio Gold followed with three indecent expressions.
The statement said 53 reports were received on the programmes monitored on 30 of the 31 radio stations selected for the project.
It said a total of 12 indecent expressions were recorded on eight programmes on which indecent expressions were captured with six people making 10 of the 12 expressions.
The statement explained that four of them identified with the NPP and the remaining two belonged to the National Democratic Congress.
It said the remaining two of the 12 indecent expressions were rebroadcast on Radio Gold adding that for the week under review, Mr Daniel Osei of the NPP made four of the 12 indecent expressions recorded followed by Mr Clearland Abizi of the NDC who made two of them.

“The six people who made the 10 indecent expressions were all males. Also, no gender-specific indecent remark was recorded during the week,” the statement added.
The statement said Mr Abizi of the NDC made the unpalatable remarks during Ankobra FM’s Breakfast Table programme on June 14, whilst Mr Maxwell Kofi Dwumah of the NPP was on Oman FM’s National Agenda programme of June 14.
It said Mr Michael Ampong of the NPP made indecent statements during Oman FM’s Boiling Point programme of June 14, and Mr Kwasi Kyei also of the NPP on Kessben FM’s Maakye programme of June 11.
The statement said Radio Gold replayed the offensive comment by Mr Kennedy Agyapong against the Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe during the Newspaper Review segment on the Gold Power Drive aired on June 12.
It said Mr. David Osei of the NPP made four unsubstantiated allegations on Angel FM’s Platform programme of June 11 while Mr Abizi of the NDC made unconfirmed allegations on Ankobra FM’s Breakfast Table programme aired on June 14.
The statement said Mr Felix Owusu Kwakye of the NDC made unsubstantiated allegations in an interview on Gold Power Drive on June 12. It also noted that Radio Gold replayed the ethnocentric remarks by Kennedy Agyapong during the Newspaper Review segment on the Gold Power Drive aired on June 12.

The statement said 11 of the 12 indecent expressions were captured during morning and evening and night political discussion programmes on political party activities, corruption and conflicts. .
It said majority of the discussions focused on issues and most of the hosts and presenters handled the various segments of their programmes fairly.
“The MFWA is encouraging the few who were not professional enough, especially in managing their in-studio discussions and interview segments to insist on the use of decent expressions on their respective programmes,” the statement said.
It encouraged producers and hosts of the various programmes to desist from the replay of indecent expressions since it tends to amplify such expressions and their potentially negative consequences.
The statement said the monitoring language, use on radio is a project aimed at ensuring issues-based and decent language campaigning in this year’s polls. It involves daily monitoring of language and expressions by politicians and activists on specific programmes on 31 selected radio stations across the country.

Source: GNA

Group urges Ghana Police to stop hounding journalists

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), has urged the Ghana Police Service to halt the hounding of journalists with immediate effect.
“It is public knowledge that following the publication of the police statement of Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome by the Crusading Guide and Daily Guide, the police have failed to make public, the actions taken to reprimand all those involved.”
A statement signed by William Agyei, Member of AFAG and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday said the Police have continuously demonstrated that it is bent on verifying the source of the statement by going after the editors of the newspapers as opposed to focusing on the substance of the issue.
It said AFAG sees a direct relationship on the conduct of the journalists in question, with the leadership paralysis the nation is saddled with in dealing decisively with the Woyome saga.
“When leadership fails to act decisively, to safeguard the interests of the people, well meaning citizens in the interest of the State are bound to adopt or deploy other means available to them to safeguard those interests.
“The conduct of the journalists should therefore be interpreted as such, “it added.
Source: GNA

Book on Ghana’s music genre “High-life” launched

A book entitled, “Ghana High Life,” was launched in Accra on Thursday.
The book, a collaborative effort of Mr Florent Mazzolini, a French writer and African music advocate and Dr Kwesi Owusu, a veteran music producer, focuses on the golden age of high-life music in Ghana, from the 1950s to the 1980s.
It is an evocation of the history of Ghana, during the years preceding independence to the Rawlings era.
Dr Owusu said it was a big misconception that high life was no more.
“The thing with high-life is that every generation of people come up with their own version. Thus we had jazz, we had burger high-life and now we have hip-life.”
He said high-life would not grow, “unless we re-establish its production base”.
Dr Owusu said the toils of musicians were paid back fully only if piracy of their finished works was effectively dealt with.
He urged stakeholders to join hands in the fight against piracy.
Ace high-life musician, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, said the book would help in making the younger generation know a lot more about what had happened before them.

“Let us continue with such historical documentation or we would lose our heritage,” he said.
Source: GNA

Veterinary service takes measures to fight rabies  

The veterinary services department in Tarkwa will undertake a mass anti rabies vaccination campaign for animals in the Tarkwa Nsueam and Prestea Huni/ Valley assemblies.

The vaccination campaign which is scheduled to take place in July, 2012 is aimed at controlling the increasing cases recorded on rabies in the two assemblies.

Addressing journalist at a press briefing, the municipal veterinary officer of Tarkwa Nsueam, Dr. Simon Gbene explained that within a week they have recorded five suspected cases on rabies while this year alone a total of hundred children have also been bitten by dogs.

He said the veterinary service is embarking on this emergency vaccination campaign to enable them control the spread of the disease which has already been identified in fourteen communities within the two districts.

According to the veterinary officer, they have targeted to vaccinate a total of 17,216 animals which will include dogs, cats and monkeys.

Dr. Gbene said to enable them immunize every animal, they have written to the various mining companies to assist them in terms of resources so that the exercise can be made free.

He said if they don’t get the necessary support before July, they will be compelled to charge 2 Ghana cedis for each animal vaccinated after which a certificate will issued to the owner.
The veterinary officer appealed to philanthropist to assist them to help the exercise become a success.

Dr. Gbene warned that the law will deal with anybody who will not vaccinate his animal.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Workers advised to plan pension

Gold fields Ghana Limited Tarkwa Mine has honored two hundred and seventy seven employees for their long service to the company.
The employees who have served between 15 and 10 years received 15 and 10 bags of cement and two packets of roofing sheets whiles employees who had served five years received a table top fridge or a four burner gas cooker.
All the award winners were presented with certificate.
Mr George Nutor, Acting general manager of the company, said the award scheme which is held annually is to express their appreciation to employees who had worked tirelessly to sustain the company.
He said since employees are the most valuable assets in every company, the management is equally prepared to do everything to maintain their staff.
The Professional and Managerial Staff Union Chairman Mr Abdul Mumen on behalf of the Ghana mines workers Union commended the award winners for the determination and loyalty to the company.
He said most companies do not attach much importance to the end of service benefit of employees adding that efforts in this sector will improve the living condition of employees when they go on pension.
Mr. Mumen further advised workers to plan their pension, while in active service in order to enjoy good retirement.

He reminded them that one day they would leave the work they are doing and also vacate from bungalows and other facilities and go home.
He called on authorities of Goldfields, Tarkwa mine to ensure that they created the best policies for their employees.
One of the award winners Mr. Jerry Scot Mensah on behalf of his colleagues thanked the company for the gesture.
Nana Esi Brew Monney

23-man Black Satellites invited to camp

Technical handlers of the Black Satellites have called up 23 players to prepare for impending international assignments.
The players, all locally-based will report to their Adenta camp base in Accra on Friday, June 22.
Ghana will play Egypt in an international friendly next month ahead of their qualifying campaign for the 2013 African Youth Championship against Uganda in the second round in July.
Invited players

Goalkeepers
Muntari Tagoe – Medeama
Sai Michael – Nania
Felix Annan – Kotoko
Danso Mensah Wiredu – Unistar Academy

Defenders
Richmond Nketiah – Mighty Jets
Baba Abdul Rahman – Kotoko
Daniel Amartey – Inter Allies
Lawrence Lartey – AshantiGold
Edwin Frimpong Manso – Liberty
Kassim Adam – Medeama
Moro Ibrahim – New Edubiase

Midfielders
Mumuni Abubakar – New Edubiase
Seidu Salifu – Wa All Stars
Isaac Sackey – Liberty
Sarfo Gyamfi – Wa All Stars
Jackson Owusu – Berekum Chelsea
Prince Baffoe – Kotoko

Strikers
Jacob Appau – Medeama
Fatawu Salifu – Inter Allies
Nasiru Mohammed – Rainbow
Fadi Benjamin – Hearts Of Lions
Ollenu Ashittey – Hearts Of Oak
Emmanuel Gyamfi – Unity

Source: Ghanafa.org

Players retiring from football due to pressure from fans

Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah wants over-critical fans to respect aging players in the game rather than prematurely calling time on their careers.
Having faced such calls during his final days with national team, Appiah, 31, has turned out to continue showing good form for club side, Vojvodina in Serbia.
And he reckons the game in Africa will have to take a cue from Europe where aging players like the Manchester United duo of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes still thrive big leagues despite both past their mid-thirties.
“We [players] don’t retire early but is rather the people that force some of us to retire,” a surprised Appiah told Joy Sports.
“Is unbelievable and i find it difficult to understand why people try to retire footballers in Africa, it hardly happens in Europe because the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are still playing.”
Appiah, who announced his decision to retire from international football following Ghana’s quarter-final finish at the 2010 FIFA World Cup believes the sport tends to miss the valuable experience of such old guards due to fan pressures.
“We should put a stop to this because it doesn’t help,” he said.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Wee smokers are great legends

Though Ghana’s statutes indicate that wee-smoking is illegal, many have speculated that its usage is common among musicians in the country.
Commonly referred to as Ntampi, Ganja, Taaba and Master Weaver among others, many have argued that those who condemn wee-smoking are ignorant of its medicinal values and King Ayisoba is an ardent believer of such claims.
In a video which is rumoured to be leaked version of Ayisoba’s latest VCD titled, The King Ayisoba Story, which is currently making rounds on various social media sites, the King of Kologo music in Ghana is captured praising the medicinal prowess of Ntampi.
According to King Ayisoba, he gets ideas to create his music after smoking wee.
He said that even though he doesn’t like alcohol, he has been a wee smoker from his childhood days and has been smoking for over 25 years.
“I have never liked alcohol. Even if you see me taking alcohol, then it is pito or juice. But I have been smoking for a very long time. People say I no be somebody who can do something better because I smoke wee. But later dey see say I come hit but I smoke too. When I smoke wee, I take my guitar and get ideas. I see what is coming to happen to do my music. We smoke to create and do something better,” he said.

Justifying his reasons for smoking wee, King Ayisoba argues that most legends including Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah were all smokers including other influential people all over the world.
“If you see all the legends dey de smoke. Bob Marley, he is a legend but he smoke wee; if you see Culture, he is a legend but he smoke wee; if you see Fela, he is a legend but he smoke wee; if you see JJ Rawlings, he is a legend but he smoke, Kwame Nkurmah is a legend but he smoke wee too,” he added.
He noted that wee smoking gives people the right senses to do something better, remarking that “it is medicine for me.”
King Ayisoba argued that people who disregard wee smokers do not know how valuable wee is to the smoker.
“Taaba also help me. Is medicine for me. It gives me idea. I didn’t smoke wee to do bad. So if you see somebody dey insult about the wee, wee is not fine, I think the person, he don’t know the inside,” he stated.
Source: The Weekend Finder

Government to support Anagblah’s funeral

Government has pledged to support the funeral of Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Jordan Anagblah.
This was revealed by Deputy Sports Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah on Wednesday when a delegation of the GFA and family members formally informed government of his death.
Government has appointed a representative to serve on the funeral committee set up by the family and the GFA to ensure a befitting burial for the football administrator.
Dr. Boamah said the departed GFA Executive Committee member was ‘frank and forthright in attitude’ and hailed his pivotal role in the development of youth football in the country.
The GFA revealed that it will fully fund the funeral and has set up a committee to ensure that proceeds from the funeral are invested for the upkeep of the children of Anagblah.
“The GFA is deeply involved and we pledge to support the upkeep of his children,” GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi said.
“We have put a committee in place to ensure that proceeds from the funeral will be invested in the upkeep of his children.”
Meanwhile, the one-week memorial will be held on Thursday, June 21 at his residence at Madina near Accra.
Anagblah passed away last Thursday, June 14 at the Trust Hospital, Accra after a short illness.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Black Stars to know 2013 CAN qualifying opponent on July 5

Ghana’s opponents for the final round of qualifying for the CAN 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be revealed next month at the official draw ceremony by Caf.
The continent’s sport governing body will hold the draw in Johannesburg , South Africa, on 5th July 2012.
Ghana and 15 other teams that took part in the 2012 AFCON finals will join the last stage of the qualifying campaign and will be paired against the 14 teams that have reached the last qualifying round for next year’s finals.
A final play-off will be played between September and October and the 15 winners (after home and away matches) from these 30 sides will join hosts South Africa at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals to run from January 19 – February 10.
Teams for final round draw: Ghana, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Niger, Angola, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Togo, Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cape Verde, Algeria, Egypt or Central African Republic.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Nollywood actress Oge Okoye storms Ghana

High-flying, prominent Nigerian actress and United Nations Peace Ambassador Oge Okoye, is set to storm Ghana this month for the Africa Peace Festival, taking place from June 30 to July 7, 2012, in Accra.
Okoye, one of Nigeria and Africa’s most respected film professionals will lead series of activities including an International Peace Conference with Call for Papers, Peace Concert, Business and NGO Executives Conference, Peace Education Workshop, Youth Leadership Workshop, Exhibitions, Peace Durbar and an Africa Peace Award/Banquet, to highlight the importance of peace in the sub-region, and the need to safeguard the relatively stable environment the continent enjoys.
The week-long festival is being put together by the African Centre for Peace Building (AFCOPB, and brings together over one thousand participants spread across civil society, the business community, academia, media, and diplomats from across the globe.
The June 30 to July 7 event will be held at the Mensvic Hotel, East Legon, under the theme, “Promoting Global Peace through Culture of Diplomacy”.
“The mission of the AFCOPB as a Ghana based Non-governmental organization (NGO) is to build peace in Ghana and Africa through conflict prevention, youth development, peace education, promotion of human rights, health and poverty reduction. AFCOPB also seeks to champion public awareness that would enable people to make peaceful and healthy decisions for themselves, their families, nations and the continent,” says AFCOPB executive director Korsi Senyo.
The festival is being organized in partnership with Global Educators for All Initiatives, Nigeria, Metissia Arts, Germany, Uniting for Peace-UK, Climax Travel and Tours-Nigeria, Compassionate Journeys-USA, with support from over 30 organizations across the globe including the Ministry of Tourism-Ghana, Music for Peace-Switzerland, Peace for People-Nepal, among other corporate bodies.
Born in London, United Kingdom, Okoye is a Theatre Arts graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. With numerous film titles to her credit, Okoye is about one of Africa’s best screen personalities.
A warmth and affable fellow, who has great respect for mankind, Okoye’s exploits earned her a United Nations Ambassadorial role this year. As a UN ambassador, she joins hands with other domestic and international ambassadors to propagate national and world peace through her actions and words.
An amazing actress with an unmatched in-depth knowledge of her craft, Okoye’s ability to interpret her roles with so much dexterity and poise has placed her among the best rated actresses in Africa.
Her visit to Ghana, a familiar territory where she enjoys a commendable level of respect amongst other movie professionals, is sure to make the needed impact.
“We are hopeful that at the end of this week-long event, we would have impacted positively on society, and also, managed to get our message across,” says Gilbert Boakye Nhyira, PR Consultant to the festival.
“There is no doubt Oge Okoye’s inclusion, will surely get us results,” he added.

Ghallywood to establish TV/Radio stations

The Ghallywood Academy of Film Acting, one of the pioneering film acting and training schools in the country would soon launch its own radio and television stations.
The President of Ghallywood William Akuffo who announced this said would provide content that would be positive and uplifting, unite Ghanaians and encourage all to bond as a people with one destiny.
Speaking at the school’s 5th graduation ceremony held last Saturday the African Film village of the school at Dawa on the Aflao road, he said it was sad that suddenly what makes news in Ghana are the negative items that would not benefit majority of Ghanaians.
“Ghallywood TV will change all this and provide news from all over the districts, news that will impact on our people positively and encourage them to do only what will move our country forward.”
The graduating class was the fifth batch of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) Youth in Film Making Module.
The ceremony held on the theme “ The nation’s preparations for a peaceful election: The role of the entertainment industry/media” saw 500 students graduating after three months of study in film acting, editing, script writing, lighting and sound techniques and other various departments of film making.

The well attended and colourful ceremony saw students of the academy display to guests their acting skills as they put up some brilliant acting and cultural performances to the delight of guests.
Welcoming guests and students to the function, president of Ghallywood, William Akuffo noted that Ghallywood was aware of the need for Ghanaians to tell their own stories in the districts, communities, regions and the country in general and expressed optimism that as the students leave the academy they will not only become film makers and practitioners of the industry but will be equipped in their various groups to employ themselves.
William Akuffo was full of praise for the students saying “It is amazing and extremely gratifying to see these young men and women who came in meek and lacking in confidence, grow in confidence and through knowledge, gain strength and self esteem when their talents and skills are sharpened to enable them face the hazards of the job”
He noted that the strength and confidence and other attributes that the school inculcates in the students have already started yielding positive results from some past students of the school such as Majid Michel, who won the best actor award at the African Movie Awards recently, Akua, the reigning Ghana’s Most Beautiful, the Vodafone Icon Noella Wiyaala of Black and Peace fame and Miss Ahiama.
Willie Akuffo assured that Ghallywood would produce many more champions in the film and entertainment industry who will lead the crusade in turning the industry into one that will be the envy of the continent.

The national Coordinator of the NYEP, Abuga Pele in a speech read for him expressed confidence that the crop of new professional film makers and practitioners would also further improve the quality of film making in this country.
He was happy that the NYEP and Ghallywood have been able to empower the youth to employ themselves adding that the NYEP and government would continue to offer its support in the area of self-employment.
He said as this year was an election year, it was the duty of film makers and practitioners in the media to educate the people to avoid violence and not to use any inflammatory language that will bring conflict.
The Director of Television of GBC, Mike Amon Kwafo who delivered the keynote address commended Ghallywood, especially the president, Willian Akuffo for putting into action all the talk about improving the movie industry.
He also commended the training schedule of academy and expressed the hope that the industry was ready to take the world by storm adding that Ghallywood was the true identity of Ghana “Where we can tell our own story”
He urged the students to be disciplined and place a high value on themselves since “The value you place on yourself is what the world would place on you”
The function which was chaired by the President of the Ghana Association of Writers, Kwesi Gyan Apenteng saw other remarks from the ministers of Youth and Sports and Information.

Kindergarten pupil killed in fire outbreak

A 4 year-old kindergarten pupil of Gogo memorial school complex at Tarkwa, master Kojo Twumasi met his untimely death on Monday when a mattress he was sleeping on caught fire by a lighted candle.

The body of the deceased which got burnt beyond recognition at Railway Quarters a suburb of Tarkwa has been deposited at the Tarkwa government hospital morgue.

Briefing westerngh.com, of the incident, Chief Superintendent Ernest Kuukure Maayeb, municipal police commander in charge of Tarkwa Nsueam said around 8:00 pm on that fateful day, the 24 year-old mother of the deceased, Ruth Ackah lighted a candle beside her elder son Kojo Twumasi who was asleep and left to town with her younger brother to buy food while the husband was not present.

He said fire service officers within that same period reported to the police that there was a fire outbreak at Tarkwa Railway quarters and both the police and fire officers proceeded to the scene to save life and property.

Superintendent Maayeb said after spending some hours to quench the fire from the uncompleted building, they found the body of the deceased burnt.

The police commander appealed to parents to be extra careful when using candles in their homes to avoid such misfortune from occurring.
He said the police are investigating the case of the fire outbreak.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Police arrests 18 students for gambling

The Takoradi Harbour police have arrested 18 students for engaging in gambling during instructional hours in a police swoop in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
According to the Deputy Regional Police Commander, ACP Kofi Asare, the exercise was aimed at apprehending criminals hiding at various ghettos and obscure places in the metropolis.
He said those arrested would be screened and put before court for prosecution.
Those arrested were mostly Junior High and Senior High school students below 18 years, hiding in ghettos and obscure places in the twin-city
ACP Asare denied accusations from some parents of the students that, the police collected GH¢ 50 from them after the arrest.
He observed that gambling and video games had become rampant in the metropolis thereby resulting in poor performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) last year and pledged to clamp down on such activities.
The Deputy Regional Police Commander entreated parents and guardians to pay attention to their wards education.
GNA

GMWU reacts to SGS HR Manager on unethical practices

The Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU) has reacted to comments made by the Human Resource Manager of SGS Laboratory Services recently in the media about the wrongful termination of its union member’s employment describing them as most unfortunate.
The GMWU called for investigations into the SGS laboratory’s unethical practices that resulted in the unfair termination of the appointment of a laboratory technician, who is the Tema branch union chairman of the GMWU in 2011.
A statement signed by Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary, GMWU and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said it was an unfortunate that the HR Manager instead of addressing the issues raised by the GMWU on the use of expired sodium/potassium standard reagents and the unfair termination of employment decided to put false information out in the media.
The company, a social partner in the mining sector in Ghana, terminated the appointment of its local union chairman for refusing to carry out the orders of his boss to allegedly use expired reagents (sodium and potassium) to test water samples from some mining companies.

It said the sodium/potassium standard reagent in question was to calibrate the machine (Flame Photometer) used for analyzing the amount of sodium and potassium in client sample.
The statement said while the employee was in the process of doing that, out of diligence, he discovered that the chemical reagent he requested from the store had expired for almost a year without the knowledge of the management of the lab.
The reason for calibrating the machine before using it to analyze client sample or any other sample is to verify the authenticity of the machine using an approved and unexpired calibration standard reagent in excellent condition.
The statement further said the leadership of the GMWU therefore considered it strange how any Laboratory Technician could do a meaningful analysis under a situation where the standard required for the authentication of the machine have expired per the manufacturer’s label and the Laboratory Manager would still insist on its use.
“The GMWU cannot understand why in a hand written instruction given by Mr. Peter Sarpong, the Quality Control Officer dated 22-03-2012 insisted the employee should still go ahead and use the expired chemical to calibrate the machine even after his attention has been drawn to the non-suitability of the chemical in question.”

“This instruction was what in the opinion of the employee violates the standard operating procedure, the quality manual and the code of integrity and professional conduct of the company, which all employees are mandated to uphold”.
The statement said the GMWU gathered that per the standard procedure of the company such expired chemicals were to be kept away from the laboratory environment and be discarded.
In addition, it said the Union was also reliably informed that there had been instances when the laboratory came under serious problems because auditors discovered expired chemicals in the stores of the laboratory and assumed that the lab was using such chemicals for calibration and other analysis.
“It is therefore strange why the managers of the SGS laboratory… will seek to victimize the employee because he insisted that the right thing be done.
“The claim by the HR Manager is most bizarre and ridiculous because it contravenes the standard operating procedure, the quality manual and the code of integrity and professional conduct of the company.”
Again, the statement said the HR Manager’s claim that the employee was asked to validate the potency of the expired reagent was baseless and does not exist in the standard operating procedure of the company.
It said the HR claim also that the employee could not substantiate the matter at a meeting with the Managing Director in the presence of the other managers mentioned in this issue was never true and most unfortunate.
On the employee’s entitlements, the statement said it was untrue that he had been paid by the company. “All checks by the GMWU from the employees bankers reveal that no such payment have been made on his behalf by his employers since June 2011 that the employee was arbitrarily dismissed from the company.”
The Union said the only amount which came into the employee’s account during the period was about GH¢ 200 being pay for the number of days he worked before the unfair termination.
“This amount obviously could not be taken as the entitlements SGS management claims it has paid.
“GMWU is strongly urging the management of SGS Laboratory Services to refrain from telling lies and develop a strategic engagement mindset to forestall further embarrassment emanating from this arguably ugly press war.
“Our prime motive is to ensure that our chairman of the Tema SGS Branch Union is treated fairly by the system he has firmly supported through strict adherence to laid down business ethics.”
GNA

Old and new set for national honours

Honours will be bestowed on retired and active Ghanaian players on Friday when the maiden National Players Awards comes off in Accra.

According to the organizers, the annual initiative seeks to recognize and honor the contribution of individuals who donned the national jersey with distinction towards the development of Ghana football.

And on Friday at the Banquet Hall, a seven-member panel headed by former GFA chairman Ben Kuofie will announce the winners of the various categories at the awards gala.

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who has been nominated for two categories goes head-to-head with Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan for the Most Outstanding Player category in the Black Stars.

Kingson has also been nominated for the Most Dedicated Player Award in the Black Stars by dint of his active participation in the last two World Cups and the 2008 and 2010 African Nations Cup tournaments.

NOMINATIONS FOR MAIDEN NATIONAL PLAYERS AWARDS

SPECIAL AWARDS

Akweiteh Armah

Frankline Crenstil

Emmanuel Quarshie

E.E De Graft

James Adjei

Abekah Ankrah

ACTIVE PLAYERS

BLACK STARLETS

Most Valuable/Outstanding Player: Isaac Afoakwah, Jacob Apau

Most Dedicated: Abdul Baba Rahman, Nana Boateng

Top Scorer: Nasiru Mohammed

BLACK SATELLITES

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Richmond Boakye-Yiadom, Afriyie Acquah, Karim Alhassan

Most Dedicated: Sumaila Rashid, Frank Acheampong, Afriyie Acquah

Top scorer: Richmond Boakye-Yiadom

BLACK METEORS

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Daniel Agyei, Richard Impong, Rashid Sumaila

Most Dedicated: Mahatma Otoo, Rashid Sumaila, Daniel Agyei

Top scorer: Mahatma Otoo

CHAN TEAM

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Godfred Saka, Yaw Acheampong, Alfred Nelson

Most Dedicated: Edmund Owusu-Ansah, Abdul Basit, Stephen Adams

Top scorer: Bismark Idan

BLACK STARS

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Richard Kingson, Asamoah Gyan, Andre DedeAyew

Most Dedicated: Stephen Appiah, Anthony Annan, Richard Kingson

Top scorer: Asamoah Gyan

BLACK MAIDENS

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Beatrice Sesu, Linda Addai, Sherifatu Sumaila

Most Dedicated: Cynthia Boakye-Yiadom, Grace Adams, Felicia Djabah

Top scorer: Rita Okyere

BLACK PRINCESSES

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Mercy Myles, Cynthia Adobea, Janet Egyir

Most Dedicated: Portia Boakye, Edem Atovor, Elizabeth Addo, Rosemary Ampem

Top scorer: Elizabeth Cudjoe

BLACK QUEENS

Most Valuable/ Outstanding Player: Agnes Aduako, Portia Boakye, Safia Abdul-Rahman

Most Dedicated: Aminatu Ibrahim, Florence Okoe, Leticia Zipki

Top scorer: Agnes Aduako (5 goals)

Source: Ghanafa.org

AshantiGold, Chelsea battle for final spot

The date for the first semi final clash in the MTN FA Cup has been confirmed as AshantiGold line up against Berekum Chelsea on Saturday June 23.

Both premiership sides will clash at the Baba Yara Stadium after winning their quarter-final matches.

Chelsea, losing semi-finalist in the previous season’s competition qualified for the last four stage after beating Amidaus Professionals 1-0 in the quarter finals.

The Miners defeated Hearts of Oak 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time to reach the last four.

The other semi-final date is yet to be confirmed as New Edubiase await the winner for the other quarter-final between Wassaman United and Tema Youth FC which was abandoned on June 10.

The matter is before the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Asamoah Gyan considering Black Stars return

Asamoah Gyan has revealed that he is close to announcing his decision on his return to the Black Stars, five months after temporarily retiring.

The striker says he had been suffering psychologically following abuse he had received for missing two crucial penalties while playing for Ghana at the 2012 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I am not upset. It was due to some psychological reasons. The penalty misses have affected me a little and not the criticisms. I expect the criticisms. It’s normal in the game,” Gyan told Peace FM on Monday in the build up to the charity game in Kumasi between Ghana internationals and artist from the entertainment industry on Sunday.

“There is no problem. I have been misquoted about my break from the national team.”

Having taken time off to heal, Gyan insists it was important to excuse himself from the national team.

“I had to take a break so I can psyche myself well. My confidence in the national team had gone low and I hope to return with bigger confidence.”

“They [GFA] have spoken to my parents and I told them why I took that personal reasons. Psychologically when I am down, i cant come back to play,” he said.

However, Gyan says that he still hoped to return to the Black Stars with a decision imminent.

“The decision to return is now left to me,” he said. “Very, very soon, I will make that announcement. In my letter, I stated that my action was indefinite, so it can be any time. I will communicate that soon.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

17 year old Ghanaian steals show at Ecowas Games

Ghana’s Matthew Nantiere stole the show in the 1500m event at the ongoing Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Games in Accra on Tuesday evening.

The 17-year old, a graduate of the Ghana National Academy in the Ashanti Region ended the race in superb fashion at the expense of Gyang Emmanuel Gwon of Nigeria who led the group of runners at the final two laps.

Nantiere, who was third until the last two laps, gathered more energy and strolled past Gwon who had gotten the better of a fatigue-looking Ghanaian, Prosper Goku.

The Senior High School graduate finished in a time of 15:02:24secs. to win the gold whilst Gwon made it in 15:04:92secs to place second. The other Ghanaian runner Goku held on to the bronze with a time of 15:17:38secs.

An elated Nantiere told GNA Sports after the race that, “I’m very happy with my performance. I realized that Goku did not have the finishing power, so it was our plan he held on till the final laps.

“I knew I had the finishing power and I’m not surprised that I was able to overtake the Nigerian to come tops,” he concluded.

Source: GNA

Western Region to get new offshore-base facilities

Ever since oil and gas were discovered in commercial quantities in the West Cape Three Points of the Western Region, there have been upsurge of supply vessels berthing at the Takoradi port to transact business.

In view of this, there had been massive congestion at the port thereby compounding the already overstretched facilities there.

Against this backdrop, a locally based company, Gulf Western Group in partnership with the Ghana Maritime Authority had initiated the move to establish offshore shore-base facilities at Funko in the Ahanta West District, to provide complementary services for supply to oil vessels.

The 120 million dollars investment project is expected to create 5,700 direct and ancillary service jobs for the local people in the next five years.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Takoradi on Tuesday to explain the project to the stakeholders in the region, Mr Albert Obimpeh Abadi, Base Director of Funko Lagoon Development Board, said the project had been divided into three phases.

Mr Abadi noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Military had undertaken environmental impact assessment and security audit at the designated site and given good recommendations for the project to take off.

The Base Director said the first phase of the project would cost million that would involve the dredging of the Funko lagoon, construction of six warehouses, dockyard and enclosed light and open fabrication yards.

The rest are drydock slipway, logistics centre with helipad for air-lifting services, turning point for supply vessels and fishing wharf for Funko and Adjua fishing communities.

The second phase would involve the construction of liquefied Petroleum Gas farm tanks and gas train that would connect gas pipelines to the Atuabo gas plant at the cost of million.

The third phase would involve the construction of marine engineering school to train people in petroleum courses as well as health facilities to administer quality healthcare to the people of Funko, Adjua, Apowa and other neighbouring communities, he.

Mr Abadi charged the youth in particular, to take advantage of the project, to acquire the necessary employable skills to make them competitive on the job market.

The project, which is expected to take off in September, is being funded by local financial institutions, individuals and directors of the Funko lagoon Development Board.

The Base Director hinted that private investors that desire to partner the implementation of the project would be welcomed.

He said it is locally based more hands are needed on deck to make it successful.

The Chief of Funko, Nana Kow Nkani IV expressed joy over the siting of the project in his traditional area adding that it would bring infrastructure development in the community and its environs.

He charged the company to abide by its pledge of employing youth in the area so as to speed up the socio-economic development of the community.

GNA

Glo Ghana pays $200,000 NCA penalty

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has confirmed that telecoms operator, Glo Mobile Ghana Limited (Glo) has honoured, in full, the sanctions imposed on the company by the Authority for failing to meet its network roll-out obligations in its Mobile Cellular Licence.

Glo was granted an “Annex F of the Mobile Cellular Licence” to roll-out its network to cover six regions, that is, two regions per year within the first three years from the effective date of the licence.

But the mobile operator breached the licence condition by failing to roll-out its network which led to the NCA imposing a penalty of $200,000.

According to a statement issued by the Director General of the NCA, Paarock Asuman VanPercy, Glo has since settled the penalty “in full”.

Glo launched it commercial operations on April 29, 2012.

E-Procurement in the Offing

The Ghana Public Procurement Authority (PPA) is to undergo E-procurement to cut back on lots of paper work, as a means of speeding up purchasing and supply within the public sector.

Mrs Rhoda Appiah, Principal Public Relations Officer of the PPA told the Ghana News Agency in Essipon near Sekondi during the just ended Policy Fair that the move was aimed at ensuring effective record keeping.

She added that World Bank, the financers of the E-procurement programme had already engaged consultants to fashion out modalities for its operation.

The E-procurement project is to be piloted by the last quarter of the year.

Mrs Appiah said there would be amendment to ACT 663 that established the Authority in 2004, aimed at ensuring transparent and competitive bidding within the public sector.

She said the amendment would critically look at the composition of the board of the PPA and the threshold level of procurement.

GNA

Auto Draft

Ghana to introduce new mining law

Mr Mike Hammah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on says the ministry is introducing a new mining law to help address the current challenges facing the sector.
“We are left with the final validation workshop by stakeholders, in the mining industry, as well as government approval for its passage”, he added.
Mr Mike Hammah said this in response to a question on activities of mining operators and illegal miners during the dialogue session of the four-day Western Region policy fair, underway at the Essipon stadium in Sekondi, in the Western Region.
Nana Kofi Abun III, Chief of Essipon raised the issue on activities of illegal mining and mining without license.
Mr Hammah noted that the law, dubbed Regulation 2012, would deal with noise level in mining communities, seism level as well as permissible operational areas to be covered.
He also encouraged the miners to endeavour to operate with licenses to enable them to be assisted when the need arises.
Source: GNA

Omanhene criticizes Ghanaians for blind Imitation of foreign culture

The Omanhene of Essikadu Traditional Area, Nana Kobena Nketsia V, has decried the wrongful imitation of foreign cultures by Ghanaians thereby adulterating our cultural values.
He, therefore, entreated Ghanaians to be proud of our cultural heritage and preserve them for generation yet unborn.
Nana Nketsia was speaking at a dialogue session of the ongoing regional policy fair at the Essipong Sports Stadium on Friday on the topic: “Culture as an Accelerator of Development”.
Nana Nketsia, a History lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, said our colonel masters imposed their cultural values on us in order to exploit our natural resources to their advantage.
He pointed out that even though the British rulers oppressed Ghanaians to exploit our resources, yet “we are continuing their oppressive agenda through blind simulation of their cultural values though we tout ourselves as an independent nation.”
“Whenever someone defines your will, that person controls your future and perception, but we need to define our problems and diverse strategies in solving them ourselves instead of depending on others”, he opined.
The Omanhene observed that the Westerners introduced capitalism as a system of governance that eventually enslaved us on our own land, adding that, any culture that capitulate another culture is not worth practicing.

Nana Nketsia said dynamism of culture is the reflection of our thought and therefore we must develop our culture for our benefit, not blind imitation of other people’s way of life.
“The British celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen of England to showcase to the whole world how they valued their culture and that also attracted tourists from all over the world to England, which fetched them huge foreign earnings, the Omanhene observed.
Nana Nketsia charged Ghanaians to value their cultural values and cited the colourful festivals, music, dance and clothing as well as the inner qualities that defines Ghanaians, are worth emulating by others.
The fair being organized by the Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the Regional Administration, is aimed at enhancing public understanding of government policies, programmes and activities to enhance policy formulation.
The four-day fair created a platform for the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Region to educate the public about their works and mandate.

Workshop on oil and gas ends at Half Assini

Ghana’s success in the Oil and Gas Industry would be measured by the level of poverty reduction and the provision of jobs and infrastructure development in the country.
Mr Franklin Ashiadey, National Coordinator of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, said this at an Oil and Gas sensitization workshop at Half Assini in the Western Region, on Friday.
It was oragnised by GHEITI for Assembly Members, Heads of Department, traditional rulers and selected groups in the Jomoro district.
He said there are very high expectations from Ghanaians on how “our newly found wealth (oil and Gas) would impact on living standard”, adding that, it is incumbent on GHEITI stakeholders to ensure that the requisite systems are put in place to promote Good governance and Accountability in the management of the resources.
According to him, many developing countries with huge economic potentials failed to translate those resources into benefits to raise the living standards of majority of their people.
Mr Ashaidey said Ghana had been implementing GHEITI in the Mining sector since 2003 had has since extended it to the Oil and Gas Industry in Sept. 2010.
Prof. Thomas Akabzaa, Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy said, as emerging oil and Gas Industry, Ghana has learnt a lot of lessons from other Oil producing countries.
He said the Ministry of Energy has come out with policies to ensure transparency and Accountability in the oil and gas industry.
These include the establishment of a Petroleum Commission to regulate and license the operations of the oil and gas industry.
Source: GNA

Western Region repeats calls for improved road network

 
The people of the Western Region on Friday repeated their call on government and stakeholders in development to as a matter of urgency improve the road networks within the region to facilitate economic growth.
They also asked for improved health facilities as well as the construction of new clinics and hospitals, especially in the rural areas, for quality health care delivery.
These and other important concerns were raised during the open session of the just ended Western Regional Policy Fair, organised by the Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council at Essipon, in Sekondi.
The Policy Fair concept, instituted by the government, affords Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as the Metropolitan, Municipal and the District Assemblies the opportunity to highlight their programmes, projects, and achievement to the general public.
The open session of the fair enabled the people to express their views and ask questions in respect to issues regarding the development of the region.
They called for the establishment of special schools for people with disabilities and the improvement in technical and vocational training schools for the youth and people of the area.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi 11, Omanhene of the Anhwiaso traditional area, who chaired the closing ceremony of the four-day policy fair, commended the organisers for a successful fair.

He urged the Ghana Library Authority to revamp the library system in the country to help in teaching and learning.
Ms Emelia Arthur, Deputy Minister of the Western Region commended the various exhibitors for opening their doors to the public to know about their mandate, operations and difficulties.
“Let us keep the flame alight and respond to all invitations to partake in public programmes with the zeal and commitment that you have demonstrated during the period of this fair”, the Deputy Minister added.

GNA

VRA to experience three-day power cut

The Volta River Authority (VRA) announced on Friday that there would be a shortfall of power supply for three days with effect from Saturday evening.
It said as a result of a planned shutdown of Akosombo Unit No. 4 (1G4) for Splitter Vane Inspection works, there would be a shortfall in power supply of up to 115MW on those days.
A statement issued by VRA, copied to GNA in Accra, said the shortfall would be between 1800 hours and 2300 hours on Saturday and Sunday while the period would be between 0600 and 1600 hours on Monday.
“Consumers are therefore to take note and bear with us in case they experience some power outages during this period,” it said.

Source: GNA

Bogoso, Prestea drivers go on strike

Drivers who operate from Tarkwa to Bogoso and other communities within the Prestea Huni/Valley District in the Western Region, are on strike due to the poor road network.
According to them they are tired of spending huge sums of money in maintaining their vehicles during every trip they embark on.
Mr Kwaku Adjei, one of the concern drivers, said they have spent so much money on spare parts and risked the safety of their lives transporting travellers on the dilapidated road for a number of years now.“We cannot continue to offer this sacrifice again as it is gradually draining our pockets,” he said.
Mr Adjei claimed that although the Tarkwa to Ayanfuri road has been awarded on contract by the government to Reynolds Construction limited for more than a year now, the contractor is not on site.
He said until government comes in to assure them that the contractor would speed up work on the road they would continue to abandon passengers.
Mr Francis Akwaboah, Chairman of Bogoso Ghana Private Road Transport Union, branch in Bogoso confirmed the strike to westerngh.com in an interview.
He said due to the bad nature of the road the drivers have arbitrarily taken it upon themselves to increase transportation fares.
The chairman said to ensure that the rights of passengers are not infringed upon he decided to sanction any driver who goes against the law to charge unapproved fares.
He said the drivers were not pleased with his action and decided to go on strike.
Mr. Akwaboah said the condition of the road is compounded during the raining season.
He therefore called on government and the appropriate authorities to ensure that the right steps are taken to check the slow pace of work on road.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Registrar General’s Dep’t asks SMEs to register businesses

Operators of small and medium scale enterprises have been reminded about the need to make sure that their businesses are registered.
Mr Akwasi Sarpong, Ashanti Regional Accountant of the Registrar General’s Department, said this was the way to protect their corporate identity and proprietorship.
He was addressing the closing session of a sensitisation workshop organised for members of the Consecutive Hairdressers Association of Ghana in Kumasi on Thursday.
It formed part of activities lined up by the Association for Small-Scale Industries (ASSI) to assist develop the private sector.
The resource persons came from the National Board Small-Scale Industries, Association for Ghana Industries, Ministry of Trade and Industries, National Youth Authority, Local Enterprises and Skills Development Programme Department of Women and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Mr Sarpong expressed concern about the tendency by business entities who refuse to file annual returns and ignore the requirement to renew the registration of their businesses.
This, he said tends to undermine the department’s revenue-generation capacity and its role of facilitating good corporate governance.

To help change things, the department has intensified efforts at helping the business community to have better understanding of the Companies’ Code.

He said this would promote compliance with the regulation on annual renewal of business names and partnerships and the filing of annual returns based on the turn-over.
Mr Kwame Buor, the ASSI Regional Chairman, said the association would continue to educate its members on good business practices.
Madam Beatrice Ofori, Vice-President of the Consecutive Hairdressers’ Association, asked the members to ensure proper record-keeping.

Source: GNA

Government clarifies channels for communication

The Office of the President on Saturday clarified the channels for communicating Government information saying all directives and decisions emanating from the presidency including appointments are communicated formally and signed by the Secretary to the President or in some instances by the Chief of Staff.
A statement signed by Mr John Newman, Chief of Staff, said: “All other Government information is communicated through the Ministry of Information by Press Release or other means and in some cases where appropriate by the relevant sector ministries under the direction of the Minister-in-charge.
“The Office of the President wishes the media and the general public to be guided by these procedures and channels for communicating Government information.”

GNA

Lightening destroys GTV station at Half Assini

Lightening that struck the Ghana Television Station at Half Assini on May 13 burnt some vital items at the station and this has made it impossible for the people to view programmes .

Mr Raymond Dzikulu, Officer In-charge of the station, told the GNA in an interview that financial constraints had made it difficult for management of the Station to repair the fault which includes the replacement of an encoder.

Mr Dzinkulu expressed concern about the Jomoro District Assembly’s inability to put up structures on land that had been acquired for the construction of a new digital TV station for the district at Tikobo Number One.

Under arrangements for GTV to move from analogue to digital, District Assemblies are required to construct the buildings while GTV provides the equipment.

A top official of the Jomoro District Assembly who pleaded anonymity said the project has delayed due to financial difficulties.
He said efforts were being made by the Assembly to meet the GTV authorities in Sekondi on the construction of the new digital station,
A survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency in the district has revealed tha only a few owners of DSTV and Multi TV are able to access TV programmes in the district.

Source: GNA

Muntari targets good run in World Cup qualifiers

Sulley Muntari has labelled Ghana’s Group D fixture against Zambia in the qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a ‘ tough game’.
The African qualifiers continues this weekend with 20 matches being played across the continent for a second successive weekend.
Saturday’s match in Ndola marks the first meeting between both sides since the Chipolopolo beat the Black Stars in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by winning the semi-final showdown and going on to win their first continental title.
While Ghana were thrashing Lesotho 7-0, the African champions were being beaten 2-0 by Sudan and the results on the opening day of qualifiers have set the stage for a big game at the new Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
And another defeat for Zambia would all but put their challenge at risk, eight days after it began.
However, Muntari, who knows the importance of Ghana building on their impressive opening display expects a stiff challenge.

“Against Zambia, it’s going to be a very tough game,” Muntari, who will captain the Black Stars said.
“We will try our best to do something important for Ghana and ourselves. We want to go in and get a good result.”
Memories of the painful semi-final defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations, according to Muntari will not dominate the minds of the players to exact revenge.
Rather, the desire for a win is what the players are pushing for.
“It’s not about revenge,” Muntari said as he recounted Ghana’s 1-0 defeat four months ago.
“It’s about us getting a good result over there. Football is serious but not anything like that. We want a good result.”

Source: Ghanafa.org
 

FIFA honours Ghanaian Arthur Wharton

The world’s first black professional footballer has been honoured by the sport’s governing body.
A statuette of Arthur Wharton, who began his career in Darlington, is to be displayed in the presidents’ lounge at Fifa headquarters in Zurich.
It was presented to the organisation’s president, Sepp Blatter, by the Arthur Wharton Foundation, which was set up to bring his story to prominence.
Foundation founder Shaun Campbell called it a “fantastic testament”.
Mr Blatter said the presentation showed Fifa was taking the issue of racism in football seriously.
‘Connecting people’
“This is a very important day for Fifa,” he said.
“We are working against any discrimination. Football is connecting people, bringing people together, so we can only compliment this Arthur Wharton Foundation,” Mr Blatter added.
“[He] was the first black professional in England but how long they had to wait until the first black man was in the English national team, this is practically a 100 years later.”

The footballer has already been officially recognised at Wembley by the Football Association, which also donated £20,000 towards a statue of him in Darlington.
Wharton moved from Africa’s Gold Coast, now Ghana, to the north-east of England in 1884, aged 19.
He intended to train as a Methodist preacher at Cleveland College, Darlington, but was also a keen sportsman.
In 1886 he became the Amateur Athletics Association national 100 yards champion, the first “northerner” to win the trophy.
‘Minds and hearts’
A year later he set a record time for cycling between Preston and Blackburn.
His sporting prowess was spotted by Darlington Football Club, where he became a goalkeeper between 1885 and 1888 and England’s first black professional footballer.
He later played for Preston North End, Stockport County and Sheffield United.
Local businessman and Darlington FC supporter Shaun Campbell has been campaigning for acknowledgement for Wharton for more than five years.
He believes his recognition by football’s world governing body is a “fantastic testament to the legacy of Arthur” and the “many people who followed after him”.

“Acknowledgement from those people, the collective embracing of Arthur Wharton, is indeed very, very empowering,” he said.
“It firmly places Arthur in the minds and the hearts of the footballing world.
“This is not a local thing – he’s now got international recognition.”
Source: BBC Sports

Preview: Zambia v Ghana

Four months after Zambia put paid to Ghana’s hopes of lifting the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by winning the semi-final showdown and going on to win their first continental title, the two sides meet again.
Memories of their last meeting will still linger but will have little or no effect on what transpires in their second meeting this year.
Both sides are meeting in the Group D clash of the African qualifiers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Ndola on Saturday.
But the two sides enter the game at the new Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with contrasting tales after their opening group matches.
While Ghana prepared in South Africa after their 7-0 thumping of Lesotho, Zambia find themselves embroiled in a series of potentially distracting off-field rows following their defeat to Sudan in the other group game.
However, Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah, who took his side to South Africa to prepare for the game expects the Chipolopolo to be up for the challenge.
“Zambia are the African champions, and they are playing on their home ground, so it’s stands to reason it will not be easy,” the Black Stars coach said ahead of the game.

“We have prepared well, we are in good spirits but we know that Zambia are deserved of their title as African champions and that they have very good players. We will have to play as well as we can if we are to achieve what we want to do – and that is to get a win.”
Zambia coach Herve Renard insists there is no crisis as they host their first home match since winning the Nations Cup title.
“The squad is working hard like they did during the African finals. When you see the players train, there is nothing that has changed.”
The game in Ndola is one of the 20 qualifiers being played across Africa for a second successive weekend.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Cell Phones Not Used As Phones So Much Anymore

In 2009, the United States crossed a digital Rubicon: For the first time, the amount of data sent with mobile devices exceeded the sum of transmitted voice data. The shift was heralded in tech circles with prophetic fury: “The phone call is dead,” pronounced a blogger at the Web site TechCrunch.
Writing in Wired, journalist Clive Thompson observed, “This generation doesn’t make phone calls, because everyone is in constant, lightweight contact in so many other ways: texting, chatting, and social network messaging.”
And the online news network True/Slant declared a paradox: “We’re well on our way to becoming an incredibly disconnected connected society.”
(…)
Even as the number of wireless connections increased from 286 million in 2009 to 303 million in 2010, voice usage on those phones decreased. And our calls are getting shorter. While in 2003 the average local mobile phone call lasted a leisurely three minutes, by 2010 it had been trimmed to a terse one minute and 47 seconds.
There are plenty of reasons for this, of course. Communication via text message, email, or Twitter is typically easier, faster, and more convenient that a phone call.
Additionally, those methods of communication give one the option of responding at one’s leisure rather than being sucked into a phone call who’s end time is indeterminate (we’ve all, I think, got that relative or friend who never seems to get the hint that you need to end a phone call). There’s also the privacy factor. I can sit in a crowded room and conduct a text-message conversation with someone with little worry that someone will learn what we’re talking about. You can’t say the same thing about a phone.

One wonders if things will change now that the iPhone, and most Android devices, have front-facing video cameras that make using a program like Skype easier.

outsidethebeltway.com
 

Executive secretary of lands commission dismissed

Government has placed a moratorium on the sale and allocation of public lands to individuals and Entities.
It has also dismissed the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Dr Odame Larbi.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mike Hammah, said government is reviewing the Accra Re-development Policy to prevent it from being abused.
Dr. Odame Larbi confirmed receiving his dismissal letter last week. He however, declined to disclose the reasons for his dismissal.

Tullow finds quality light oil offshore Ivory Coast

Tullow Oil says June 7, 2012 that its Paon-1X exploration well has discovered good quality light oil in Ivory Coast.
Paon-1X is the first deepwater exploration well drilled in the CI-103 licence and has encountered 31 metres of net oil pay in a gross interval of 74 metres of turbidite sands, the company said in a statement.
Meanwhile, works on the well will be suspended. Tullow explains that the suspension is for “possible future use in appraisal and development operations”.
Tullow holds 45% and it operates the CI-103 licence were the Paon-1X is located. It is partnered by Anadarko Petroleum (40%) and the Societé Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de Côte D’Ivoire (Petroci) (15%).

PNC Takes Stand on Sale And Acquisition Of State Property  

Flagbearer of the People’s National Convention PNC, Hassan Ayariga, says his party will offer service with honesty, protect public assets, government resources and property for the ultimate benefit of all Ghanaians.
In an interview, he defended the party’s stance on asking government to amend the policy that allows public officials to acquire state property.
Mr Ayariga said the acquisition of state property by government officials is very wrong and not in the interest of posterity.
Citing the Jake Obetsebi Lamptey case, Mr Ayariga wants the President Mills administration to pay back all property fees including interest to Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey.
PNC says government should not have allowed Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey to acquire the property in the first place and wants it to reconsider its policy on allowing appointees to purchase or acquire property while in office.
The People National Convention, PNC, is therefore asking Government to take a second look at its Accra Re-development policy to ensure that it serves the paramount interest of Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Bar Assocaition, GBA, says it agrees with the Supreme Courts decision on NPP Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey’s bungalow.

It also recognises the power of the government to compulsorily take possession of or acquire any property in the public interest or for a public purpose in accordance with Article 20 of the constitution and the State Lands Act, 1962.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Public Regions Officer of the GBA, Anthony Forson asked that the Association’s Statement on the matter should not be twisted but be taken the way it was put.

Western Region debates petroleum management

The people of Western Region, on Thursday discussed the management of petroleum revenue received in 2011, at the first public forum held in Takoradi by the Public Interest and Accountably Committee (PIAC).
The PIAC was inaugurated by Government in September 2011 to monitor and evaluate revenue accrued from oil production off Cape Three Points in the Western Region in compliance with the Petroleum Management law, (Act 815).
Participants, including traditional rulers, non-governmental organizations, political party representatives, journalists, heads of departments and members of the public attended the event.
Some of the participants were of the view that the region where the oil is being explored should benefit most in terms of infrastructure and development of human resource.
They said the 18 per cent share contract with the oil companies was woefully inadequate, and called for upward adjustment to reflect current economic trends.
Chairman of the PIAC, Major Daniel Ablorh-Quarcoo, said total oil revenue stood at GH¢1,250.00 million in 2011 and this was channelled into the budget, road infrastructure and agriculture.
He said according to projections, Ghana was supposed to be producing approximately 120,000 barrels of oil per day by June 2011, but the target was not achieved by the end of 2011 due to technical production challenges.
Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, said the release of the PIAC report was a mark of good governance.
“They are sending a strong signal to the industry players that indeed, they will be accountable for all their actions and inactions according to the law.”
Mr Aidoo said lack of transparency in the oil sector would encourage corruption and breed unnecessary mistrust that could generate confusion and destabilize the economy.
He, therefore, advocated the tenets of transparency as entrenched in Act 815 to avoid the resource curse.
Mr Aidoo said: “By promulgating Act 815, we have shown a strong commitment to managing our newly found resource in a prudent manner.”
He reiterated the President’s pledge that as Ghana joined other oil nations; the country would ensure that the resources were utilized judiciously to benefit the people.
GNA

Fans pick their Black Stars starting team

Opinions will certainly differ as fans give their take on their team plans if they were to be in charge of the Black Stars ahead of Ghana’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Though Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah will have a different view, let’s see which fan will get his selection and formation spot on to that of the Ghana coach.

You can also continue the discussion on with your views of the players selected and formation on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Coach: Kwesi Salasi

Adam K, Samuel Inkoom, Kissi Boateng, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Derrick Boateng, Dominic Adiyah, Emmanuel A. Badu, Jordan Ayew, Kwadzo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: ?

Coach: Daniel Aryee

Daniel Adjei, Daniel Opare, John Boye, Daniel Addo, Harrison Afful, Kwadwo Asamoah, Derek Boateng, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Sulley Muntari, Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Clottey

Formation: 4- 4- 2 Diamond Formation

Coach: Nana Kwaku

Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, Richard Kissi – Boateng, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Agyemang Badu, Richard Mpong, Dereck Boateng, Jordan Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: 4- 4- 2

Coach: Augustine Agyemang

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Richard Kissi Boateng, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Jordan Ayew, Derek Boateng, Dominic Adiyiah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: 4-3-3

Coach: Adamu Seidu

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Richard Kissi Boateng, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Derek Boateng, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: Orthodox 4-4-2, switch my formation to a 3-5-2 then return to 4-3-3

Coach: Kwesi Nkansah

Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Kissi Boateng, Derek Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Christian Atsu, Sulley Muntari, Jordan Ayew, Ben Acheampong

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Coach: Otto Eagle

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, John Boye, Lee Addy, Anthony Annan, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Jordan Ayew, Dominic Adiyiah

Formation: 4-4-2

Coach: Mozat Mensah

Daniel Agyei, Jerry Akaminko, Harrison Afful, Daniel Addo, John Boye, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: 4-3-3

Coach: Michael X

Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Harrison Afful, Agyemang Badu Derek Boateng, Christian Atsu, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Jordan Ayew

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Coach: Mr Zuma

Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, Afful Harrison, Jerry Akaminko, John Boye, E. Agyeman-Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Derek Boateng, Jordan Ayew, Kojo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: ?

Coach: Kwaku Tieku

Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, Kissi Boateng, Jerry Akaminko, John Boye, Agyeman Badu, Kojo Asamoah, Derrek Boateng, Jordan Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Christian Atsu

Formation: 4-3-3

Coach: Phay Gordon

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Richard Kissi, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Derek Boateng, Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Clottey

Formation: ?

Coach: Nii Armah

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Richard Kissi, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Anthony Annan, Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Ben Acheampong, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari

Formation: ?

Coach: Delali Anikla

Kwarasey Adam, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Jerry Akaminko, Rabiu Mohammed, Christian Atsu, Emmanuel. A Badu, Jordan Ayew, Derick Boateng, Sulley Muntari

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Coach: Kingsley Ameyaw

Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, John Boye, Daniel Addo, Derek Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyemang Badu, Jordan Ayew, Christian Atsu, Sulley Muntari

Formation: 4-4-2

Source: Ghanafa.org

Preview: Ghana v Lesotho

Match: Ghana vs. Lesotho

Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Venue: Baba Yara Stadium

Time: 17:00 GMT (5:00PM local time)

Ghana start off the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying at home with coach Kwesi Appiah demanding his side to be at their clinical best against Lesotho.
Appiah’s first match as head coach is this Friday with Ghana opening up at the Baba Yara Stadium as their bid to reach their third straight finals in Brazil begins.
As one of the seeded nations, Ghana were given a bye through the first qualifying round but as the real work starts now Appiah wants to see his players make a bright start to the group.
The opening Group D contest against Lesotho which kicks off at 17:00 GMT (5:00PM local time) is the first of two games in the second round qualifying before the campaign takes a long break only to return next year.
Only one team from the four nation group will progress to the third round.
Appiah, who wore the Ghana shirt and had been an assistant since 2008 before assuming the reigns insist his young and spirited side must match their previous achievement and instil even more fear in the group.
“We are going into the match with all the seriousness it deserves and I have cautioned my players to stay focused,” Appiah said ahead of Friday’s game with Basothos.
Ghana find themselves in a tough group which includes African champions, Zambia and Sudan.
Despite a big clash, against Zambia awaiting the Black Stars next, Sulley Muntari believes the first game is the most crucial.
“We played them during the African Cup, it was a very difficult game. We know exactly how they play, so it’s going to be the same. It’s going to be very difficult,” Muntari said.
“They are going to stay back and hold it but all we want is to play good football.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Preview: Ghana v Lesotho

Match: Ghana vs. Lesotho

Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Venue: Baba Yara Stadium

Time: 17:00 GMT (5:00PM local time)

Ghana start off the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying at home with coach Kwesi Appiah demanding his side to be at their clinical best against Lesotho.
Appiah’s first match as head coach is this Friday with Ghana opening up at the Baba Yara Stadium as their bid to reach their third straight finals in Brazil begins.
As one of the seeded nations, Ghana were given a bye through the first qualifying round but as the real work starts now Appiah wants to see his players make a bright start to the group.
The opening Group D contest against Lesotho which kicks off at 17:00 GMT (5:00PM local time) is the first of two games in the second round qualifying before the campaign takes a long break only to return next year.
Only one team from the four nation group will progress to the third round.
Appiah, who wore the Ghana shirt and had been an assistant since 2008 before assuming the reigns insist his young and spirited side must match their previous achievement and instil even more fear in the group.
“We are going into the match with all the seriousness it deserves and I have cautioned my players to stay focused,” Appiah said ahead of Friday’s game with Basothos.
Ghana find themselves in a tough group which includes African champions, Zambia and Sudan.
Despite a big clash, against Zambia awaiting the Black Stars next, Sulley Muntari believes the first game is the most crucial.
“We played them during the African Cup, it was a very difficult game. We know exactly how they play, so it’s going to be the same. It’s going to be very difficult,” Muntari said.
“They are going to stay back and hold it but all we want is to play good football.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Liberty to play All Stars in play-off

The Premier League Board has confirmed that Liberty Professionals and Wa All Stars will be involved in a play-off contest to determine their positions on the Glo Premier League.
Both sides will meet at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, 3rd June to determine the 8th and 9th places on the log.
With both sides tied on points and level after the application of the head-to-head rule, the option of a one-off contest will be used to determine their positions.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Referee Biney named for Kyekyenkye v Chelsea contest

Referee E.R. Biney has been named as the centre referee for the final Round of 16 fixture in the MTN FA Cup between Kyekyenkye and Berekum Chelsea.
Kyekyenkye and Chelsea will wrap up the fourth-round matches in the Cup competition when they meet on 3rd June at the Dormaa Park for qualification to the quarter-final stage.
Referee Biney will be assisted on the lines by B.A. Crentsil and Eric Nyankyere. The fourth official will be Liman Yakubu.
The winner of the fixture will meet Amidaus Professionals in the next round on 10th June.

Sunday, June 3

Match: Kyekyenkye vs. Chelsea

Venue: Dormaa Park

Referee: E.R. Biney

Assistant 1: B.A. Crentsil

Assistant 2: Eric Nyankyere

4th Official: Liman Yakubu

Source: Ghanafa.org

Ghana AIDS Commission sets up Technical Support Unit in Sekondi

The Ghana AIDS Commission has established a Technical Support Unit (TSU) at Sekondi to assist in reducing the prevalence of HIV in the region, Mr Abu Mahama, the Technical Coordinator of the Unit has said.
He told the GNA that the Western Regional Coordinating Council provided offices for the unit while the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided funding for their refurbishment.
Mr Mahama said the unit is the first of its kind in the country and similar units are to be established in the Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo and the Eastern Regions under a pilot project.
He said technical supports units would be set up in all regions if the pilot project is successfully implemented.
Mr Mahama said the unit would provide technical support and direction for HIV activities implemented in the region.
He said in view of the influx of all manner of people into the region due to the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, there is the need for financial support and a vigorous pursuance and implementation of key and result oriented interventions that could facilitate a further reduction of HIV prevalence in the region.
Mr Mahama said “the establishment of the TSU in the Western Region as a way of ensuring decentralization of the wings of the Ghana AIDS Commission is the most important step towards enhanced coordination, monitoring and evaluation”

Source: GNA

Labour Commission orders POTAG to call off strike

The National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday directed members of Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) to call off the strike and resume work immediately.
In addition, the Controller and Accountant-General should ensure that POTAG members are paid in accordance with their migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) on or before June 30.
The NLC in a statement issued by Mr Edward Briku-Boadu, Executive Secretary said the Commission received a complaint on May 29, from the Ministry of Education informing it of an “illegal strike by POTAG.”
Considering the urgency of the matter, the Commission served a subpoena on the Ministry of Education (Complainant), the National President of POTAG (Respondent) and the Chief Executive of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to a hearing in the matter on May 30.
“Although the subpoena was duly served and received by POTAG; POTAG failed and or refused to honour the invitation,” it added.
At the hearing, the complainant submitted among others that the respondent did not serve it the appropriate notice to embark on the strike and that as far as the complainant was concerned, there was no issue that warrants the strike as in its opinion, it had completed the necessary processes to have POTAG members migrated onto the SSSS, and that the Controller and Accountant-General was in the process of paying POTAG members migrated onto the SSSS.
Complainant added that the Executive of POTAG is aware of the state of migration of POTAG members onto the SSSS.
“The Commission, having heard the submissions by the complainant, and same confirmed by the FWSC, in exercise of powers conferred on it gave the directive,” it added.
 

Ghana making strides in elimination of child labour

Mr Emmanuel Kwame Mensah, Representative of International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said Ghana was among nations leading the way against the elimination of child labour in the world.
He said even though the country had made some strides in the fight against child labour, there were still large number of boys and girls who continue to suffer from child labour.
Mr Mensah said these at a day’s workshop on Capacity Building for Social Mobilisation Partners against Child Labour (SOMOPAC) in Accra.
The workshop on the theme: “Effective Social Mobilisation Against Child Labour: Collaboration is the Key”, was organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and network of social mobilisation partners against child labour with sponsorship from ILO and United States Department for Labour (USDOL).
Mr Mensah called for the strengthening of coordination among agencies and institutions working for the elimination of worse form of child labour in the country.
He said unhealthy competition among agencies could lead to duplication of efforts and waste of resources in the achievement of common objectives.

Mr Mensah said identification of common goals and objectives as well as communication and information sharing among agencies could go a long way to enhance effort at eliminating child labour in the society.
He said about 39 per cent of 6,361,111 children in Ghana were engaged in some economic activity and an estimated total of 1,031,220 children in child labour were under 13 years.
Mr Mensah said in Ghana, about 57 per cent of working children were in agriculture, hunting and industry, 20.7 per cent in sales, 9.5 per cent in production and 11 per cent in other general works such as porters, truck pushers and driver’s mates.
Mr Andrews Tagoe, Anglophone African Coordinator for Global March Against Child Labour and Head of Programme for General Agriculture Workers Union, who spoke on the topic: “Social Mobilization Against Child Labour within the Lens” called for adequate protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of children.
He said there should be clear institutional arrangements in place for child labour interventions especially to deal effectively with the worse form of child labour.
Mr Tagoe said public and civil society organisations charged with child development and the protection of children from exploitation were inadequately equipped to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
He called for the promotion of all forms of child labour reporting by improving the capacity of journalists and creating appropriate platforms for discussing the issues as well as providing information to the general public.
Mr Tagoe advocated for a nationwide community sensitisation and mobilisation to promote understanding, effects and causes of child labour.
Source: GNA

Inmates begin registration at Tarkwa prisons 

Out of the two hundred and seventy eight inmates in the Tarkwa prisons, fourteen have successfully been registered under the biometric registration exercise.
The registration process started at 8:00 am.
Mr Edwin Opare, Deputy Electoral Officer in charge of Tarkwa Nsueam, revealed this in an interview with westerngh.com on Tuesday, when he supervised the registration process for the inmates at the prisons premises.
He said the inmates registered produced the required identity cards approved by the electoral commission were above 18 years.
Chief Superintendent Eric Amu Wistberg, Officer in Charge of the Tarkwa prisons, said though the electoral commission gave the inmates opportunity to register as voters most of them were not able to produced the necessary identity cards.
He added that most inmates whose age ranged between 18 to 45 years in the prison were sentenced for stealing adding that with Tarkwa and its neighbouring towns being a mining community, many of the youth did not want to acquire riches by toiling.
Mr Wistberg warned the youth to desist from such negative acts and rather concentrate on their education or trades to enable them become responsible adults in future.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Ghana Statistical service to release Census results by Thursday May 31 2012

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on Tuesday said it would work hard with the support of the final district boundary disputes report to release the district level census data by Thursday, May 31.
Mr Kofi Agyeman-Duah, Acting Government Statistician in Charge-of-Operations, said, “Now that the district boundary disputes have been resolved, the GSS would come out with the final results of the 2010 Population and Housing Census including the district results”.
He announced this when the Committee on Inter-District Dispute set to research the district boundary disputes associated with the 2010 National Population and Housing census presented its final report to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in Accra.
The committee, appointed by government was tasked to resolve inter-district boundary disputes and make recommendations to government to enable the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) release the district level census data.
Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said GSS released provisional results of the census at the national and regional level, but was unable to release the district level data due to district boundary disputes encountered prior to and during the 2010 enumeration exercise.
He said in the events leading to and during the exercise, the GSS, with the support of enumerators, their supervisors and sometimes, district census officials as well as community leaders had to convince households in these communities before they got registered.
“This was done with the understanding that information collected would be sent to the appropriate districts”.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo noted that the report would enable the GSS release the 2010 Housing and Population Census at the district level and serve as an excellent reference material for anyone interested in administrative and political boundaries supervised by local government bodies in Ghana.
He commended the committee for a job well done and for bringing their rich experience, knowledge, expertise and time to bear on the assignment.
Professor Raymond Bagulo Bemeng, Chairman of the committee, said it worked tirelessly to present the report which included the core results submitted in the interim, which would help the GSS release the final results at the district level.

GNA

Two new vaccines launched in Tarkwa

Health officials in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality have launched the two new vaccines, pneumococcal and rotavirus, which will be introduced nationwide to reduce diarrhoea and pneumonia deaths.
A total of 3,000 vaccines have been received and the health sector has projected to immunize 600 children.
Addressing nursing mothers at the ABA Hospital, Dr. Jack Galley, the Municipal Health Director for Tarkwa Nsueam, appealed to mothers to ensure that they practice exclusive breast feeding, adding that adequate nutrition should be included in meals prepared for the children.
Launching the vaccines Mr. Kojo Osei, the Deputy Coordinating Director for Tarkwa Nsueam, said the government was committed to investing in the health of the people through policies that promote good health.
Mr. Osei said the vaccines would assist the country to meet the Millennium Development Goals which is to reduce infant morbidity and mortality level to two-third by 2015.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

PPP Parliamentary candidate opposes registration of prisoners

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Effia-Kwesimintsim Constituency, Mr Maxwell Okyere Ahenkorah, has opposed the registration of prisoners in the biometric voter registration.
This is contained in a press statement issued in Takoradi on Tuesday and copied to the GNA in Takoradi.
The statement said that once a person is imprisoned, all his inalienable rights are taken away from him and therefore, cannot make his own decision and let alone vote in a general elections.
It said if the prisoners were allowed to vote in this year’s election, some political parties would have a reason not to concede defeat since they could argue on the premise that, someone had rigged the elections in the prisons.
The prisons are restricted security installation and the incumbent government could manipulate and rig the results of the elections, it said.
It, therefore, charged all Ghanaians to rise against the registration of prisoners to vote in the upcoming elections in December.

Western Region branch of FONKAR denounce Mrs Rawlings

Members of Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), have said that the registration and claim of the logo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) by Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was ill-motivated.
It advised Mrs. Rawlings and other members of FONKAR across the country to put behind them issues that came up at the NDC National delegates’ congress in Sunyani, and rally behind President Mills’ administration to ensure victory for the party in December.
Addressing a press conference in Takoradi on Tuesday, a leading member of FONKAR in Western Region and Takoradi Constituency Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Newman Kpogo, said the former first lady’s action could destroy the party.
He alleged that the former first lady had made moves to mobilize grassroots support, especially using FONKAR executives and members, for the formation of a new party in the country that would wrest power from the NDC.
Mr Kpogo expressed worry that the growing tension between the Rawlings’ and the NDC Government was affecting the unity of the party.
He said though before the Sunyani NDC congress to elect a flagbearer for the party, two groups, FONKAR and Get Atta-Mills Endorsed (GAME) emerged from the party, it deepened internal democracy in the party.
Mr Kpogo said after the congress, which elected President Mills as the party’s flagbearer, Mrs Rawlings encouraged all party members including FONKAR, to work towards party unity for victory in December.
‘With this piece of advice given by the former first lady, we find it absolutely difficult to understand some actions taken by her, to the point of secretly registering and claiming ownership of the party’s logo,’Mr. Kpogo said.
He observed that in view of these happenings, the FONKAR in the region had decided to support NDC’s principles of probity, accountability and development instead of parochial and selfish interest of individuals.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Gyedu Blay Ambolley to release new album

Legendary Ghanaian musician Nana Gyedu Blay Ambolley has announced that all is set for the release of his new album ‘Sekunde’.
According to him, the new album, which is yet to hit the airwaves, will be launched on June 21 at the Alliance Francaise in Accra. Ambolley’s infectious sound, influenced by early ’70s James Brown, has led many to label him the godfather of hip-life, the fusion of the hip hop and highlife genres.
He told BEATWAVES that he had strived hard to reach the final stage of the album and was very proud to release the original copies in the country by the end of June this year. Ambolley, who has contributed immensely towards the vibrant music industry in the Ghana, told BEATWAVES,
“My new album is ready. It has been equipped with good danceable music”.
He explained that he had worked tirelessly on the album, which had all the qualities to meet the demand of music lovers in Ghana and beyond, adding that, he believed in not just coming out with any music, but music which would make an impact in the lives of music lovers.
Ambolley was optimistic that his style of play, coupled with the fact that most of his songs were fused with soul-touching rhythms, would take him places. The album is made up of educative songs and almost all the songs have danceable beats that make the album a rich one. The album, which is a unique mix of neatly arranged lyrics with sensational and inspirational rhythms, has distinctive features in terms of arrangement, beat and style.
The amazing feature about Ambolley is his ability to audibly rhyme and churn out meaningful and literarily-rich lyrics amidst simple but good beats which have been neatly programmed.
Ambolley’s performance career is extensive. He has toured throughout West Afrika, Europe, Canada, and the United States. He has performed on the same stage with some of the world’s most celebrated artistes such as Miriam Makeba of South Afrika, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti of Nigeria, the late George Howard, Angela Bofill, Norman Connors, Manu DeBango, Lakeside, Chikuzan Takahashi of Japan, Ricardo Estrada of Cuba, Mayuto Correa of Brazil and toured Ghana with Oscar Brashear and Michael Session.
Because of his originality, his performances have left audiences raving and shouting for more, as was the case at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. He has played the House of Blues in Hollywood, is a frequent performer at the Jazz Bakery in California and has played to “standing room only” crowds in London, England.
Ambolley has over 20 albums to his credit and has received numerous musical awards. In October of 2003, Ambolley was prestigiously recognized for his commitment to his musical craft with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA.
Additionally, he received a Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition by Congress woman Juanita Millinder McDonald. Also L.A. Weekly nominated Ambolley for Best World Beat Recombinant Artists-2003.
It has been said that “the genre on Ambolley’s music is entertainingly elevating and spiritually inescapable, such that its uniqueness transcends all musical categories. Checkout his latest live recording ‘Jazz meets Hi-Life’, ‘One World, One People, One Destiny.’

Elton John hospitalized with infection

Elton John is suffering from a serious respiratory infection and has been forced to cancel performances of his Las Vegas show “The Million Dollar Piano” on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

The singer first became ill last weekend but his condition worsened and he was hospitalized at L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday.

After undergoing tests for a day, a doctor recommended that Elton not perform for a week and follow a regimen of antibiotics and complete rest.

In a statement, John said, “It feels strange not to be able to perform these ‘Million Dollar Piano’ concerts at The Colosseum. I love performing this show and I will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the eleven concerts soon to be scheduled.”
He added, “All I can say to the fans is sorry I can’t be with you. I hope to see you soon at this wonderful theatre at Caesars Palace.”
Ticket holders can exchange their tickets or receive refunds.

Source:ABCNews

Ama K Abebrese warns of a scam using her name for money

Actress Ama K. Abebrese is warning her fans and the public of a scammer who is using her name on social networking sites especially Facebook to extort money from unsuspecting people for auditions.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Best Actress winner posted on Facebook Monday that the scammer, with the name Stephen Akrong, is posing as her manager and is requesting interested persons to call a certain number and pay US$150 to attend auditions.
According to her message, “I have been informed by a fan on Facebook that there is fake Ama K Abebrese page, with a guy pretending to being my manager, asking people to call this number *********, and pay 150 dollars to attend auditions.”
The Sinking Sands star cautioned, “Please anyone that knows me, will know that this is false and I always advise upcoming actors not to fall for these scams. Please if someone who claims to be me is asking for money on the internet, please Do Not Do It.”
“In fact if anyone is asking for money on the internet,” she added, “think twice, and be cautious. Again the fake Ama K Abebrese account below, is set up by internet fraudsters, so please do not fall for it.”
Myjoyonline.com’s checks on the alleged scammed page saw a message posted on Friday, May 25 asking interested persons to apply to audition for a movie role.
The message read, “Hello fans how are you doing? This is for those who are interested in movies. There is an audition going on and I would to introduce to those who are interested. If you are interested, send your CV with your passport picture to 2012.auuditionteam@gmail.com (Please take notice of the spelling of the audition, we used auudition and not audition. After your CV is received you will be contacted. ASAP..I LOVE YOU ALL FANS TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND DON’T DO THINGS I WOULDN’T DO.”
When Myjoyonline.com contacted the actress she said she was very disturbed when the fan told her about the scam.
The scammer, she added, used her personal information and Facebook postings to persuade people to believe his scam.
Asked what she has done about the situation, Ama K, as she is affectionately known, said she has made an official report to Facebook to block that account.

Sarkodie advocates 80% of air play policy for GH music

Michael Owusu Addo popularly known as Sarkodie is proposing 80% air play policy of Ghanaian music by media houses to protect the Ghana music industry.
The BET Best International Act (Africa) nominee was at the KNUST poolside, Kumasi over the weekend for the Senior High School Leavers bash dubbed, “After Skuul Shower with Sarkodie” organised by CH production.
In an interview with Focus FM’s Kwame Poku, Sarkodie made reference to the case in Nigeria where they cherish Nigerian music more than any other.
“Nigerian media houses just don’t play any music. They play 90% of Nigerian songs and 10% international. No foreign music is played 2 to 3 times in a week”.
Sarkodie is therefore suggesting that such a policy should be adopted in Ghana to help protect and develop the potential of young Ghanaian artists.
He is hoping Ghanaians would vote to support him win the BET Best International Act (Africa) Award.

R2Bees set for Africa Unplugged at the Wembley Arena

Set to be the biggest event in the United Kingdom in August, the organizers of the Africa Unplugged concert aim at using the platform to raise awareness on worrying challenges facing the Africa, including poverty, malaria, war, genocide, HIV/Aids, lack of access to portable drinking water and the numerous other atrocities that have bedeviled the continent.
“A substantial portion of proceeds from the concert will go to support and address these challenges,” the organizers said in a press statement.
R2Bees has thus called on their loyal fans in and outside of the UK to make it a point to attend the concert, as that was the only way enough revenue would be raised for the project.
About 20 of Africa’s best acts, including Sarkodie, Fally Ipupa and Ice Prince, selected across 15 countries are billed to perform at the event.
With an incredible resume under their belt, having staged and organized the best of concerts, including Rick Ross in London and T- Pain Live in Ghana, in the United Kingdom and Ghana respectively, the organizers have assured patrons of nothing but the best.
Africa Unplugged seeks to celebrate the spirit of Africa through Music, Comedy and Dance, and is powered by leading event management outfit 233Connect.

Senegalese referee to handle Ghana-Lesotho World Cup game

World soccer governing body, the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has appointed Senegalese referee Diatta Badara to handle Friday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Ghana’s Black Stars against the crocodiles of Lesotho at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.
Badara, 41, is the most experienced referee in Senegal and has officiated at the last five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
A teacher by profession, Badara also handled the Ghana-Botswana clash at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, which the Stars won by a lone goal courtesy skipper John Mensah. He was at the helm of affairs during the final match between Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire, which the former won on penalties.
On November 15, 2009, the Senegalese officiated the Ghana-Mali 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kumasi, which ended 2-2. Prior to that, he was in the middle as the Stars white-washed the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 3-0 on June 20, 2004 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier also in Kumasi.
Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that Badara will be assisted by compatriot Camara Djibril and Rwandan Kabanda Felicien. Gueye Daouda, also of Senegal will serve as the fourth official.
Kenyan Titus Kasuve will act as the Match Commissioner with former Algerian referee Mohammed Guezzaz as the fourth official.
Source: GNA

Appiah demands total focus against Lesotho

Match: Ghana vs. Lesotho

Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Venue: Baba Yara Stadium

Time: 17:00 GMT (5:00PM local time)
Ghana have twice before played at the World Cup following two successive appearances leaving coach Kwesi Appiah to task his players of the need to ensure a third straight campaign.
The Black Stars will begin the second round campaign for a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Friday when they play Lesotho in the Group D opener at the Baba Yara Stadium at 5:00pm local time (17:00 GMT).
Appiah appeared satisfied on Tuesday after watching two different sets of Black Stars teams beat two lower tier sides – 3-0 against State Envoys and handed Asokwa Deportivo a 4-0 defeat – in test matches in Kumasi.
But Appiah, who is plotting Ghana’s campaign is not reading too much into past statistics as he tells his players to expect a tough qualifying.
“We are going into the match with all the seriousness it deserves and I have cautioned my players to stay focused,” Appiah said ahead of Friday’s game with Basothos.
Ghana followed up their World Cup debut in 2006 with a quarter-final finish at the 2010 tournament.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Satellites miss semis after Argentina draw

Any hopes of a semi-final place for Ghana ended on Tuesday after the Black Satellites drew goalless with Argentina at a cold Cape Town Stadium.
Ghana, who did more of the attacking finished the match with ten men after Prince Baffoe was sent off after picking up a second yellow card with 15 minutes to end the game.
The result of the final Group A match of the 8-Nation International tournament leaves Ghana exiting while seeing the South American nation and hosts, South Africa advancing to the last four stage.
Both teams will join Brazil and Japan in the semi-finals on Friday night.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Fiaseman Rural Bank records biggest pre-tax profit ever

Fiaseman Rural Bank in its 2011 financial report recorded an impressive pre-tax profit of GH¢979,851 as against GH¢672,824 in 2010, representing a growth of 46 per cent.
Nana Amanfo Edu VI, broad chairman of the bank, said this at the 24th annual general meeting of the bank, when he presented his report to shareholders of the bank in Bogoso in the Western region.
He said prudent assets and human capital management accounted for the expected growth.
Nana Amanfo Edu VI explained the bank mobilized savings account commanded 52 per cent, current account constituted 24%, fixed deposit formed 11%, Asetenapa susu accounted10% while 3% remained in the Nnoboa savings account.
On loans and advances, the broad chairman said there was a significant increase of 74% in gross advances from 2010 figure of GH¢3,324,875.00 to GH¢5,785,875.00 in 2011.
He said in fulfilling it co-operate social responsibilities in its area of operation, the bank disbursed a sum of GH¢37,757 to various institutions and individuals.
Nana Amanfo Edu VI also announced that the bank was awarded the “most efficient rural bank in Ghana” under the bronze category by the Ghana business and financial service excellence award under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
He said to ensure that the bank achieve more success in the coming year, they will continue to give face-lift to the branches of the banks as well as improve upon their information technology based services.

In a speech read on behalf of Mr. Duke Osam-Duodu, acting managing director of ARB Apex bank, he commended the board, management, staff and shareholders of Fiaseman Rural Bank Limited for their efforts in improving the institution’s performances yearly.
He however said despite the banks sterling performance, its paid-up capital as at December 2011 stood at GH¢213,111 as against GH¢179,850 in 2010, representing an increase of about 18%.
Mr. Osam-Duodu said this does not befit a bank of this stature and therefore urged the broad, management and shareholders to put in pragmatic measures to attract more capital to meet the cost of expansion and the rising recurrent expenditure associated with computerization.

Nana Esi Brew Monney

Youth receive start up kids for COTVET programme

Thirty-six youth who completed their Junior High School education but could not continue to the second cycle due to financial constrains, have been enrolled on to the Council for Technical and Vocational Education (COTVET) programme.
The apprenticeship programme was instituted by the Ministry of Education.
Presenting startup kits to the beneficiaries who will receive practical training for one year in dress making, hair dressing, auto mechanic and electronics, Mrs. Christina Cobbinah, Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa Nsueam, thanked the government for the programme.
She said the programme would be piloted in Tarkwa for the first batch after which the other communities would be considered.
Mrs. Cobbinah appealed to the beneficiaries to exhibit seriousness adding that, the assembly was prepared to do all it could to ensure that unemployment rate among the youth within the assembly is reduced.
Mrs. Catharine Davis, the Municipal Director of Education, said the Ministry of Education had provided a register which will be marked daily by the trainers to check attendance.

First African Culture and Wellness Festival launched

The first annual International African Culture and Wellness Festival, to be held in Ghana this year was launched at Elmina in the Central Region on Wednesday.
The four-day festival which is scheduled to take place from August 9 to 12, 2012 at Elmina is on the theme: “Building a global community of wellness for the African family,” and targeted at the public as well as Africans in the Diaspora.
The Festival is also aimed at appreciating and preserving the culture and wellness of the global African family as well as bring diverse communities together for dialogue, learning, economic development and unity.
Dr Yazid Sharita, a ‘Holistic’ life Consultant, who is the Event Coordinator of the festival, said it seeks to provide a platform for African wellness products, services and organisations on an international scale.
She noted that globally, Africans were dying prematurely due to diseases such as diabetes, cancer and various heart-related diseases, adding that the Festival would teach people how to lead healthy lives, since one’s health was his or her number one asset and should therefore be well-taken care of.
Dr Sharita urged the public to turn up in their numbers and experience the nation’s rich culture through dance as well as learn how to enjoy being healthy.
The festival is being sponsored by New Body Products, One Africa Health Resort, Queen Afua Wellness Institute and African Renaissance Foundation among others.
Activities lined up for the event include wellness workshops on nutrition, emotional healing, life management, beauty without chemicals; African drum and dance workshops, exhibitions, tours as well as a concert to climax the festival.

Source: GNA

Diamond, GHACEM say cement price not increased

The two major cement production companies in Tema, GHACEM and Diamond Cement on Wednesday said they had not increased the market price of cement as speculated by a section of the public.
This followed an unannounced visit by Ms Hannah Tetteh to the two companies to get first hand information from management about the cause of the claimed increase in the price of the product.
At GHACEM, the Minister was informed that the market price was GH¢13.34 while Diamond Cement said the cost of the product was GH¢12.42.
The two companies attributed the problem to low production, which could not meet the demands of the public after power outage, but assured the minister that the situation had been rectified and that full production and supply would resume by next week.
GHACEM however stated that the company had not stopped production as the public was made to believe.

It expressed dismay at how retailers took advantage of the situation to increase the cost of the product to almost 50 per cent on the market, thereby creating the wrong impression about the exact situation on the ground.
According to GHACEM, a new plant is under construction to double the capacity of output, hoping to increase production by 1.5 million this year.
Mr Anthony Arden Boachie, Head of the Commercial Department at Diamond Cement said the company had resumed production, saying that it intended to increase production by 15 per cent.
He stated that Diamond Cement was working on another factory in the Eastern Region which is expected to commence production by the first quarter of the year.
Ms Tetteh advised all cement dealers to discontinue the price rises as the situation had been resolved and normal supply was to be restored by next week.
She expressed satisfaction at the responses by the two companies, adding that the purpose of her visit, which was to inform the public on the exact state of the situation, was achieved.
Source: GNA

Queens ready for massive Lionesses test

Ahead of the start of Africa’s Women Championship first round qualifying this weekend, Ghanaian coach Kuuku Dadzie says the Black Queens face an enormous challenge to progress in the campaign.
The Black Queens coach has issued a warning to his team ahead of Saturday’s clash against Cameroon.
Ghana take on the Lionesses in the first leg match at the Accra Sports Stadium with Dadzie admitting that the Black Queens will have to be at their best to overcome their opponents, who have qualified for the London 2012 Olympics.
“It’s a big game for us,” Dadzie told www.ghanafa.org on Thursday, a day after watching the Black Queens beat Inter Royals Ladies 9-0 in a test game.
“Cameroon are no pushovers. They have qualified for the Olympics and for me, on paper, they are ahead of us.”
The Black Queens reached this stage after turning in some impressive performances in their 8-0 aggregate win over Mali.
But Dadzie says the previous stage of qualifying is history, insisting that the Black Queens must only think about the future.
“The past results mean nothing now. We have to be really good in order to beat them.
“We have to psyche the players up to perform well. They have responded well in training and worked hard.”
The finals of the Championship will be staged in Equatorial Guinea in November.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Media info: Ghana vs. Lesotho

The accreditation process for the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Lesotho on Friday June 1, 2012 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi has been opened.
The first phase of the accreditation process begins from Wednesday May 23 to Thursday May 24 at the Accra Sports Stadium from 10am to 5:00pm each day.
Interested media houses are entreated to submit passport-size photographs of assigned personnel alongside their duly signed applications on original letter heads to the Principal Public Relations Officer of the National Sports Authority within the stipulated media accreditation period.
Collection of accreditation tags is on Monday May 28, 2012 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the office of the Principal Public Relations Officer.
The second phase will take place at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi from Wednesday May 30, 2012 to Thursday May 31, 2012 from 8:30am to 5:00pm each day.
Accreditation tags will be issued instantly and allocations for the media are as follows:

1. Radio – 2 persons
2. Print – 2 persons
No application will be accepted after 4:30pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Media Accreditation: FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

 
FIFA has announced that the media accreditation process for media representatives wishing to cover the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012 (19 August – 8 September 2012) is now open.
Ghanaian journalists and reporters wishing to report on the Black Princesses can access the online application via the FIFA Media Channel from 21 May until 20 July 2012.
Media accreditation via the FIFA Media Channel is only for written press, photographers, new media and non-rights holders.
There is a separate accreditation process for FIFA Media Rights Licensees (MRLs) that is serviced by FIFA Broadcaster Servicing.
For queries regarding media accreditation for Media Rights Licensees (MRLs), please contact FIFABroadcasterServicing@fifa.org.
Please note that approval to access the FIFA Media Channel does not mean you have been granted accreditation.
Media accreditation for any FIFA competition requires the completion of an accreditation form that can be accessed from the media channel.
Furthermore, please be advised that applicants are responsible for their own visas.
For more information on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012, please visit FIFA.com.
Source: Ghanafa.org

GFA congratulates Michael Essien

The GFA and the people of Ghana extend to Michael Essien their congratulations following Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League success.
GFA congratulates Michael Essien
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the people of Ghana send you our heartiest congratulations following your UEFA Champions League success with Chelsea.
We know you were eagerly waiting for this moment and we are thrilled to see your dream come true.
It is surely a moment of great happiness and you must be really overjoyed.
We know this momentous title success will spur you on to push yourself to greater heights.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Stars seek good start to Appiah’s era

Ghana players are hopeful of getting Kwesi Appiah’s era as head coach of the Black Stars off to a positive start as competition for places becomes keener.
The Black Stars have been training in Accra towards the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on June 1.
Kwesi Appiah, who has taken over the reins of the national team has received massive endorsement from his players ahead of his first official game.
“Kwesi Appiah is a good coach,” Dnipro FC midfielder, Derek Boateng commented when asked about the Black Stars coach. “We have worked with him for a long time, from when he was the team’s assistant coach.”
“Now he is the head coach, there is not much of a difference. What we as players have to do is to show discipline and hard work in training to support him.”
For Dominic Adiyiah, who is making a return to the team after missing out of the Black Stars squad that played at the 2012 African Cup of Nations, he has to justify Appiah’s confidence in him.
“I know I would be a success as I can feel the trust of the coach which is paramount for every player to succeed.
“It wouldn’t be about who gets the chance to play but the success of the team is paramount. I would be thrilled to bang in the goals on my return to make it a memorable one,” said Adiyiah.
Adiyiah is certainly not the only member trying to impress. New members called up into the Black Stars, Ishmael Yartey and Christian Atsu hope to impress to register places on Kwesi Appiah’s roster.
“I will do my best for the Black Stars what I have been doing for Servette and I will try to impress the coach so that I can stay with the team,” Yartey said.
Atsu added: “I am settling in well but I will take my time and work hard so I get more chance in the team.”A winning start against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi will certainly get Appiah’s reign off to a good start but for defender Samuel Inkoom, the role of the supporters will be crucial.
“The task ahead are big but we’re every determined to surmount it. We have a good team and we will pray that our dear Ghanaian soccer fans will continue to believe in us,” Inkoom said.
Ghana, who have made two appearances at the World Cup will be aiming for a third-straight qualifying when the continental campaign starts for places in the finals to be hosted by Brazil in two years time.
The Black Stars will follow up on their opening match with an away clash against Africa champions, Zambia on June 9.

Source: Ghanafa.org

CAF Licence ‘A’ coaching course for Ghanaians

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will organize a CAF License ‘A’ Coaching Course in Accra.
The Course which will be under the Technical Directorate of the GFA is scheduled for July 7-21, 2012, according to a statement from the GFA.
According to the statement, the course will serve as the first part of the exercise, with the second part fixed for December 2012.
The statement said, qualified candidates must posses CAF License ‘B’ or its equivalent with two years post-graduate practice and will be required to pay GH¢800 course fee.
It added that other licenses equivalent to CAF license B, will also be considered adding that admission to the course will be based on first come first serve basis for the first forty (40) qualified persons.
It said both parts of the course will be run by senior CAF Instructors such as Ben Koufie and Chief Onigbinde.
The CAF License ‘A’ is the highest coaching certificate in Africa at the moment.
Source: GNA

Sarkodie gets 2012 BET award nomination

Reigning Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, Sarkodie has been nominated for this year’s BET Awards 2012 for Best International Act in Africa.
The rapper is in the same category with Nigerian musicians Ice Prince, Wizkid, Kenyan hip hop group Camp Mulla, Lira from South Africa and Mali’s Mokobe.
The BET nominations were announced in New York May 22, 2012. The awards will be held July 1, 2012 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and actor Samuel L. Jackson will be the host.
D-Black was nominated for the 2011 edition of the award.

Ghana Civil Aviation probes Antrak aircraft ‘fire’ incident

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Wednesday instituted investigations into the Antrak Aircraft 9G-AAB that was spotted with smoke coming from one of its engines before take off in Tamale.
A GCAA Official told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that Antrak Air’s repair team have also moved to site to assist GCAA Inspectors to investigate the incident.
The Official explained that GCAA conduct routine unannounced checkups on aircraft’s although the airlines conduct their own daily checks before take-off.
Explaining the recent Antrak Air incident at Tamale Airport which led to the cancellation of its flight to Accra, the GCAA officials said even though the Authority does not have a permanent inspector at the regional airport, its mandatory for the Aircraft officials to conduct thorough inspection before take-off.
Meanwhile the GCAA has noted that checks from Antrak Air indicate that the officials at the Tamale Airport went through the routine take-off checkups… and “all approved procedures for inspections were conducted on the aircraft 9G-AAB”.
The GCAA explained that during start-up of the right engine, the crew observed smoke coming from the engine and conducted a precautionary shut down after which all passengers and crew were safely evacuated and the aircraft secured.
The GCAA reiterated that the aircraft was not burnt down and neither was there any loss of life or damage to property as reported by some sections of the media.

Mr Oduro Sarpong, Sales Manager at Antrak Air, a domestic airline on Tuesday discounted claims by some media houses that their aircraft scheduled to fly from Tamale to Accra in the morning had caught fire.
He said there had never been a fire on the aircraft as reported but that the captain on starting the aircraft detected smoke coming from the engine and immediately shut it down.
Mr Sarpong said passengers were not “evacuated” as had been reported but disembarked when the engine was shut off.
“At no time did the captain see a fire and at no point were the lives of the passengers in danger, the situation was not live threatening,” he stated.
Mr Sarpong explained that several factors could cause smoke in the engine including rubbing together of metal, oil dropping on hot metal or fire, adding that, their engineers had been dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the smoke.

Source: GNA

Workers of GREL demonstrate over poor remuneration

About 100 workers of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited on Wednesday demonstrated to press home their demand for better working conditions.

The workers, clad in red armbands and headgear, sang and danced and besieged the company’s premises at Apemanim to register their protest against poor salaries and discrimination.

According Justice Cobbinah, a worker, management of GREL paid each worker GH¢110 per month which is woefully inadequate to cater for their families.

He also complained that some of the workers had worked as casuals for over five years without being made permanent, which contravenes the Labour Act that makes it mandatory for companies to make their casual employees permanent after six months.

When the GNA contacted the management of GREL about its reaction, it said those demonstrating were not employed directly by the company but headsmen who had been awarded contracts to extract fluid from the rubber plantation.

Source: GNA

Ecowas Integration bearing fruits

Companies registered under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) are now able to circulate their finished products freely without restriction, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said on Wednesday.
Alhaji Mumuni said the liberation of trade within the sub-region has gone beyond agricultural produce to include industrial products with the adoption of ECOWAS Protocols which concerns the origin of products.
He stated this in an address read for him by Mr. Leslie Christian, Chief Director of the Ministry, at a sensitization workshop on the ECOWAS Integration Process for public sector workers at Sekondi.
The workshop formed part of the activities marking this year’s Regional Integration Day.
The Minister said since 1999, the number of private-owned companies registered under the ETLS had risen sharply, from 15 to 266 as at 2009, with products ranging from articles of plastics, fertilizers, vegetables, vegetable oils, plywood, palm oil and baby foods.

Alhaji Mumuni said Ghana is vigorous pursuing the implementation of the ETLS, which provides the opportunities for small and medium enterprises to access the markets of other member states.
He said in the first quarter of this year, 22 Ghanaian products had been given approval to enjoy the benefits under the scheme.
Alhaji Mumuni said Ghana’s trade within the ECOWAS stands low at 27 per cent as compared to trade with the European Union, which stood at 47.7 per cent as at the end of 2011.
He said the workshop afforded the chance to encourage companies and industries to form joint venture partnership with other companies in the sub-region to boost trade in the region.
Alhaji Mumuni encouraged companies to take full advantage of the scheme to add value to their various products and participate in the various ECOWAS Trade Fairs despite the bottlenecks which may be encountered.
He said in order to reinforce trade, the ECOWAS Initiative for Export Promotion and Enterprise Competitiveness for Trade (ExPECT) Initiative had been set up with the objective of building a sustainable structure to support export competitiveness by promoting high export potential value chains and increasing exports through engaging the region’s private sector, donors, partners and other valuable stakeholders.

“This is aimed at more specifically at supporting Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises through capacity and skills building and empowering them”, Alhaji Mumuni said.
He said the ECOWAS Protocols on Free Movement of People, Goods and Services laid at the heart of creating a regional economic community and as a prelude to market integration, ECOWAS had put in place a series of mechanisms aimed at achieving free movement of persons, goods and services throughout West Africa.
Alhaji Mumuni said these include the abolition of Visas and Entry Permits for intra-community travels, the right of residence and establishment and ECOWAS Travel Certificate and ECOWAS passport.
He said ECOWAS had initiated programmes to address some of the challenges that affect trade through the Road and Transport Ministry.
The programme, Alhaji Mumuni said, includes an improvement in Road Transit Corridor programmes such as the West Africa Transport and Transit Facilitation Project from Tema to Paga and the Abidjan-Lagos Trade and Transport Facilitation projects such as the development of the coastal zones from Aflao-Elubo.

Additionally, an Axle Control Strategy has been formulated for implementation to reduce overloading of trucks to the barest minimum while three Joint-Border Posts are to be established on Ghana’s borders with its neighbouring countries and construction has already began at the Noepe Joint Border Post with funding from the European Union.
Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, said there was no doubt that the economic development of the sub-region largely depended on the survival of ECOWAS.
He said in this regard, ECOWAS needed to give much attention to the refugee situation in the sub-region which arises from post election violence that degenerates into civil wars.
Mr. Aidoo said ECOWAS should find an antidote to these wars by insisting on good governance and credible electoral processes adding, “We must also look at our food security and enhance security at our borders.”
He said measures should also be put in place to stop environmental degradation and the gradual encroachment of forest resources.

How can Africa achieve food security?

It is a harsh paradox that sub-Saharan Africa, a continent blessed with ample agricultural endowments, still faces hunger and malnutrition.
Adding to that paradox is the fact that the region’s high rates of economic growth in recent years – some of the fastest in the world – and improvements in life expectancy and schooling have not led to commensurate improvements in food security.
More than one in four Africans – nearly 218 million – remain undernourished and more than 40% of children under five – almost 55 million in total — are malnourished.
The spectre of famine, all but gone elsewhere, continues to haunt millions in the region. Yet another famine occurred in Somalia in 2011, and the Sahel is again at risk in 2012.
Chronic food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa stems from decades of underinvestment in the countryside, where infrastructure has deteriorated, farming has languished, gender and other inequalities have deepened and food systems have stagnated.
Smallholder farmers, on whose shoulders the recovery of its agriculture rests, have long been pinned between a rock and hard place.

Erratic weather patterns and seasonal food price variations, coupled with new threats from population growth, environmental pressures and climate change, have only made matters worse.
But history is not destiny. Africans are not fated to starve. Provided governments, armed with political will and dedication, move decisively to make food accessible and affordable for all, the continent can unleash a virtuous circle of higher human development and enhanced food security.
That is the central argument of the United Nations Development Programme’s Africa Human Development Report: Towards a Food Secure Future, launched in Nairobi.
Action focused on agriculture alone will not end food insecurity. While Africa will need to produce substantially more food, coordinated interventions across multiple sectors are required.
These include rural infrastructure, health services, new forms of social protection and empowerment of local communities.
Sub-Saharan Africa can extricate itself from pervasive food insecurity by enhancing agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers; putting in place more effective nutrition policies, especially for children; helping communities and households to cope with shocks; and promoting wider popular participation and empowerment, especially of women and the rural poor.
The challenge is large, the time frame is tight and the investment required is significant, but the potential gains for human development in the region are immense.
By Tegegnework Gettu
Head of UNDP Africa Bureau
Source: United Nations Development Programme

Lawsuit against Bank of Ghana withdrawn by ‘ponzi’

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) says Capital Builders Network Limited, a financial firm that was said to have been operating a ‘ponzi’ scheme in the country, has withdrawn a lawsuit it filed against the central bank.
“Capital Builders Network Limited has withdrawn the suit against the Bank of Ghana following which the freeze order placed on its finances has been reversed by the Economic and Organized Crime Office,” the BoG said in a statement May 21, 2012.
Capital Builders was involved in deposit taking without a licence and the operation was comparable to a “ponzi” scheme upon which the BoG on January 27, 2011 issued a notice advising the general public on the unauthorized operations of the company.
The company subsequently instituted a court action against the central bank for frustrating its unauthorized operations.
The BoG reiterated it stands that Capital Builders Network Limited does not have a “licence to operate as a deposit taking institution”.
Patrons of the investment scheme are advised to contact Capital Builders Network Limited to collect their funds, the BoG statement said.

Kanye West leads BET nominations

Kanye West leads the field at this year’s BET awards with seven nominations.
Musical partner and collaborator Jay-Z also has five while the rapper’s wife Beyonce is up for six.
Jay-Z and West collaborator last year on Watch the Throne and are on tour in the UK together at the moment.
Their songs In Paris and Otis are up for video of the year with Beyonce up for two awards in that category for Love on Top and Countdown.

The fifth nominee is Usher’s Climax.
The BET nominations were announced in New York.
Samuel L. Jackson will host the award show on 1 July, which will be held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj are due to perform.
Other nominees include Lil Wayne, Drake and J. Cole.
Last year’s big winner, Chris Brown, is up for three awards this year after picking up four trophies in 2011.
The group Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will receive a lifetime achievement award.
Source: BBC News

Two die while chilling out after Chelsea victory

Two persons — a senior technical officer at the University of Ghana Medical School and his friend — were found dead in a living room in a house at Teiman, near Oyarifa in Accra, in the early hours of Sunday.
Two other men were also found unconscious in the same room in what the police said appeared to be food poisoning.
The four men were said to have eaten a meal of rice and pork stew prepared by the senior technical officer and topped it with an alcoholic beverage while watching the European Champions League final match between Chelsea and Bayern Munich last Saturday.
The deceased — Mr Eric Nai Kwadey, the technical officer, 53, and his friend, Nii Ako Ashong, 59, a farmer resident at Teiman — together with the two younger men, Boye Annang, 33, and Ayi Aryeh, 30, were found lying in the living room in the house about 6 a.m.
According to the Accra Region Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Freeman Tettey, Mr Kwadey’s driver, Samuel Tetteh Adama, who happened to be the last person to have seen the four alive, had been picked up to assist in investigations.

He said leftovers of the meal, together with the alcoholic beverage, which were found in the house had been sent to the Ghana Standards Authority for examination.
Mr Tettey said preliminary investigations showed that Mr Kwadey lived in La but he had put up a new house at Teiman where he usually spent the weekends.
He said Mr Kwadey had attended a funeral at Teiman last Saturday, during which he met his old friend, Nii Ashong.
He said after the funeral, the technical officer invited Nii Ashong and the two younger men who normally ran errands for him whenever he visited the village to watch the football match with him.
They arrived at Mr Kwadey’s residence just before the match started and they settled down to watch it, while drinking the alcoholic beverage.
At a point, Mr Kwadey left to prepare the meal, and after eating they all went back to continue watching the match.
According to Mr Tettey, nobody really knew what went on thereafter, as the two young men are currently fighting for their lives at the Intensive Care Unit of the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
He said the driver told the police that he decided to go to bed in one of the rooms in the house when Mr Kwadey started steaming the pork for the meal because he (driver) did not like pork.
He woke up the next morning only to see what had happened to the four in the living room and raised an alarm which attracted neighbours to the scene.
Mr Tettey said when the neighbours realised that the two other men were still alive, they rushed them to the Ridge Hospital where they are currently on admission.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital awaiting autopsy.
Source: Daily Graphic

State of English Language in Ghana not impressive

Nana Ebo Koomson, President of Western Region Ghana Association of Teachers of English (GATE) has expressed concern about the falling standard of English Language in the country.
He has therefore asked the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service and teachers of the language to adopt measures to arrest the situation.
Nana Koomson, who doubles as the Head of Languages Department, Sekondi Methodist Senior High school, made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sekondi as part of the Silver Jubilee anniversary celebrations of the academic facility.
Touching on the causes of the low standard of the English Language, he said most students were not utilising libraries to do extensive reading and rather observed the modern craze of watching video and using electronic gadgets like mobile phones, thus worsening the situation.
Nana Koomson noted that bad pronunciation of words was a major problem confronting students.
The case is even worsened at the primary school level where a teacher handles all subjects and cannot make ample time to train children the right pronunciation.
Nana Koomson added that spelling mistakes was also the bane of the poor standard of the language.
He said ineffective punctuation, capitalisation of letters was also a factor which led to the state of English language in Ghana.
On the way forward Nana Koomson said teachers in Secondary School must get tapes on pronunciation drills right from the first year.
He said much attention should also be paid to oral English at the basic school level as well as the organisation of in-service training for teachers.
Source: GNA

Miss Universe 2011 to visit Ghana in June

The reigning Miss Universe and Miss Angola, Leila Lopes will arrive in Ghana from June 9-12, 2012.
Her visit is part of a five-nation West African tour with stops in Senegal, La Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Nigeria.
The Insignia Group, producers of the Miss Universe Ghana competition in partnership with Roberta Annan Consulting, said they were delighted to announce the first ever visit to Ghana of a reigning Miss Universe.
This is the first time in 12 years that an African woman has held the title of Miss Universe and the last titleholder was Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Botswana 1999, who became Miss Universe 1999.
She would later launch the 2012 Miss Universe Ghana pageant at an exclusive cocktail reception in Accra, hosted by Miss Yayra Nego, Ghana’s Miss Universe of 2011.
Source: GNA

Nigerian actress Tonto Dike quits…

She came into the industry in 2006 like a bang but very shy, timid and with an innocent looking face and character. But today, she is only second to Cossy Orjiakor in controversies, as agreed to by many fans.
Tonto Dikeh, the Ikerre-born actress, who has always loved her smoking habit, has announced that smoking is now a thing of the past to her.
Last year, Tonto was in a bitter war with fellow actor, Van Vicker when she reportedly puffed cigarette at him. His offence? Van allegedly told Tonto to cut down on her smoking habit.
Tonto came on twitter yesterday morning, she tweeted, “I have [a] good news for those who wish me well.
“Hehehehheheehehehe, it’s a silly good news but you all [are] going to love this.
I QUIT SMOKING. Puppyface.”
Before now, Tonto’s reported heavy smoking habit has been a thing of worry to some of her fans.
Now that she has announced this, many fans and industry watchers await the once innocent looking Tonto to live a controversy free life afterwards.
Source:Nigeriafilms

PLB reverts to original league fixtures

The Premier League Board (PLB) and Ghana Football Association (GFA) have decided to stick with the original days for the fixtures of the 30th Week GLO Premier League matches.
The PLB on Monday announced the decision to have seven matches played on Saturday so that Sunday’s coronation match between Kotoko and Tema Youth can properly celebrate the Porcupine Warriors’ title success.
But with the Black Queens playing Cameroon on Saturday in an African Women’s Championship qualifier in Accra, the GFA/PLB places a huge premium on the national team match.
We are of the view that the entire country must troop to the Ohene Djan Stadium on Saturday to rally behind the Black Queens to ensure success.
As such we have decided to revert to the original day for the 30th Week fixtures so all league matches will be played on Sunday.
The coronation match between Kotoko and Tema Youth will also go ahead as planned for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Adiyiah wants to earn his Ghana chance

Dominic Adiyiah wants to prove himself following his return to the Ghana national team.
The 22-year-old striker missed out of the Black Stars squad that played at the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Adiyiah is yet to match expectation generated by his performances at the at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup where he was crowned the Golden Shoe winner after helping Ghana win gold.
But a six month loan spell with Ukrainian side, Arsenal Kiev from AC Milan appears to have revived Adiyiah’s career after appearing to be a way out of his depth some months past.
“It was hard for me not to part of the team for the African Cup of Nations but I believe everything that transpired did happen for a reason,” Adiyiah said.
“I am happy to be back into the team and plan staying for a long time.”
The striker has made a fair assessment of his selection into the Black Stars and wants to reward the trust of coach Kwesi Appiah.
“I know I would be a success as I can feel the trust of the coach which is paramount for every player to succeed.
“It wouldn’t be about who gets the chance to play but the success of the team is paramount. I would be thrilled to bang in the goals on my return to make it a memorable one.”
Ghana are preparing towards the 2014 World Cup qualifying against Lesotho on June 1 before the June 9 clash against African champions, Zambia.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Dwarfs vs AshantiGold fixture moved to Sekondi

The Premier League Board has confirmed the Sekondi Sports Stadium as the match venue for the 30th week fixture between Ebusua Dwarfs and AshantiGold.
The match, scheduled for Sunday 27th May 2012 will kick off at 3:00pm.
Sunday’s game will be last for both teams in the league as the season comes to an end.
Dwarfs are still serving a 12-match home ban from playing at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast after being charged with misconduct following crowd violence after their Glo Premier League match against Aduana Stars on 11th March 2012.
Source: Ghanafa.org

Black Stars to play Prampram United in a friendly

Ghana’s Black Stars will engage third-tier side Prampram United in a friendly on Thursday, May 24 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The match will test the Stars’ readiness for the 2014 FIFA World Cup double header against Lesotho and Zambia next month.
The Stars are due to engage in another friendly on Friday, May 25 against a yet to be named opponent before wrapping up their preparations in the capital two days later.
The team will leave for Kumasi on Sunday ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Stadium on June 1 at the Baba Yara Stadium.
The Stars will next travel to Ndola where they are due to face Africa champions, Zambia on June 9.
The 2010 World Cup quarter finalists are eyeing a third successive appearance at the Mundial.
Source: GNA

Antrak Air discounts claims of fire on aircraft

Mr Oduro Sarpong, Sales Manager at Antrak Air, a domestic airline on Tuesday discounted claims by some media houses that their aircraft scheduled to fly from Tamale to Accra in the morning had caught fire.
He said there had never been a fire on the aircraft as reported but that the captain on starting the aircraft detected smoke coming from the engine and immediately shut it down.
Mr Sarpong said passengers were not “evacuated” as had been reported but disembarked when the engine was shut off.
“At no time did the captain see a fire and at no point were the lives of the passengers in danger, the situation was not live threatening,” he stated.
Mr Sarpong explained that several factors could cause smoke in the engine including rubbing together of metal, oil dropping on hot metal or fire, adding that, their engineers had been dispatched to their site to determine the cause of the smoke.
Meanwhile, passengers who still wanted to make the journey were assisted by Antrak Air to book places on other airlines while those who decided not to, were given a full refund of their fares.

Some media houses had earlier reported that the Antrak Air flight with passengers on board had caught fire and that the passengers and crew had to be evacuated.
However, Ghana News Agency reported in the morning that an Antrak Air aircraft had been grounded at the Tamale Aerodrome following safety concern.
Among the passengers on board the aircraft before the incident were Mr Cletus Avoka, Majority Leader in Parliament and Dr Abu Sakara Foster, Flagbearer of the Convention People’ s Party (CPP).
Source: GNA

Didier Drogba with Rihanna

Rihanna partied pretty hard in the UK this weekend. The downside was that she missed her flight out of London on Sunday morning.
The upside? She got to hang with Didier Drogba, the Football star who helped Chelsea win their first European title on Saturday against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Didier himself scored the final kick.
Rihanna reportedly joined Didier and fellow players Jose Bosingwa, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and Raul Meireles at their table.
“The players were chuffed to meet her but she bonded most with Didier and was dancing away with him,” said a source. “THEE DIDIER DROGBA #thereisaGod,” she wrote on her Twitter account, with a picture.
Perhaps it was a parting gift for Didier – he’s leaving Chelsea after 8 years.
Source:TheSun