President Challenges the Youth

President John Agyekum Kufuor, has challenged the country's youth to set their sights on the attainment of excellence to raise the nation to a dignified place in the global village. "The world is acknowledging the great strides that Ghana is making and it is up to you to sustain them," he said at the celebration of the National Day of the Ghanaian Child in Accra, on Friday. President Kufuor, who expressed confidence in the youth, reminded them that as younger members of society, they must prepare themselves well to carry the nation forward in the near future as responsible adults.They have to work diligently at goals they set for themselves, must be disciplined, have fellow feeling and should be God-fearing. The Day, was on the theme: "Ghana @ 50, Children and the Future" and brought together children from all the 10 Regions of Ghana to interact with the President at the National Theatre.President Kufuor spoke of the need for the redoubling of efforts of society to rally to the protection and nurturing of the youth to give them a fair chance for an all round development.This responsibility, he said, must be undertaken as a critical investment in the sustenance and strengthening of the social fabric and generational chain without which, the country's future would be imperilled."This is the challenge to all the responsible adults of our society", he said, and pledged the government's determination to provide the necessary leadership.President Kufuor enumerated policies and measures that were being pursued to facilitate the development of the country's children through adolescence to adulthood, mentioning among these, the implementation of the new Educational Reform, establishment of the Women and Children's Ministry, immunization, de-worming of school children and vitamin A supplementations, distribution of treated bed nets and support for orphaned and the destitute.He said the government was giving due attention to the proper upbringing of the child and that this was evidenced from the vigorous building and rehabilitation of primary and junior secondary schools, including Kindergartens.More than 5,000 schools had been put up throughout the country within the past six years.President Kufuor observed that the child was being assailed by many different cultures through television, radio and the internet and called on society to continually devise social education mechanisms for the child's protection.Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, said Ghana had met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on gender parity with regard to schools enrolment.Professor Jophus Anamua Mensah, Vice Chancellor, University of Education, Winneba, who chaired the function, said the Education Reform offered an opportunity for the youth to develop the right skills and attitudes to become productive.Master Emmanuel Donkor from the Central Region in a statement read on behalf of the country's children conveyed their appreciation to the government for the capitation grant and the school-feeding programme, which he said, had put more children in schools and pleaded that these should continue.The children also called for the establishment of Child Panels in all the districts as provided for by Act 650 of the Constitution to handle offences involving children in a friendly manner.
Source:GNA

Starlets Soar Higher after beating Brazil 1-0 in U:17

68 Police Officers Fired

Sixty eight police officers have been dismissed from the Police Service so far this year for gross misconduct. These include 10 dismissals in August alone. The acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Samuel Kwesi Ofori, disclosed this to the Times yesterday after the Inspector General of Police had held an emergency meeting with officers of the Police Motor Traffic Transport Unit.Gross misconduct is breaking the rules or not following the laid down regulations.The August dismissals include two senior officers, Superintendent Osei Assibey Ahenkan, Akropong, Divisional Commander and Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Anane Boye Tetteh, Akosombo District Commander. The two officers, as well as Constables Bright Odoi Nkansah and Raphael Batsa, were alleged to have intercepted two cars loaded with contraband cigarettes at the Atimpoku Toll Bridge but failed to forward the car carrying the goods to the Police Headquarters.The six others alleged to have deserted their post and gone to Axim to escort cocaine allegedly dumped there by dealers. They are: General Constables Dennis Agyemang, Mensah Gray, Gideon Sakabitu George Obuobi and Lance Corporals Daniel Kagya and Ebenezer Quao Afachao. General Constable Daniel Mensah who was alleged to be part of the team that went to Axim was acquitted and discharged because it was found that he was genuinely on leave and also, no weapon was found on him whereas his colleges went there with weapons. Quoting the IGP, he said that the Police Administration will not shelve or compromise on any personnel or officer who will fall foul against the regulations of the Service.In recent times, the Police Service has come under serious criticism from the public over the misconduct of some officers and he said if not checked such actions will dent the image and reputation of the service. He said last year, a total of 66 Police officers as against 49 in 2005 and 12 in 2004, respectively were dismissed from the service for gross misconduct which included extortion, bribery and abuse of human rights including assault. DSP Ofori noted that the Police Administration has taken a serious look at the behaviours, operations and activities of personnel of the service saying that “the Police Administration will leave no stone unturned in the discharge of its duties.”Touching on the IGP’s meetings with the personnel of the Police MTTU, he said the Police administration will deal ruthlessly with any personnel of that unit who engages in unlawful practices. He spoke about complaints from drivers about tactics used by some policemen to force them to offer them bribes. These include the removal or collection of roadworthy stickers’ vehicle licences and insurance stickers. DSP Ofori said the IGP has charged officers to relay messages to their subordinates to desist from such acts and warned drivers to also desist from giving money to policemen when they are arrested.
Source:Ghanaian Times

Akuffo-Addo spends $4000 on live broadcast

Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, is spending US $4000 on his live broadcast on the networks of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).In an unprecedented media blitz by a flagbearership aspirant in the history of party politics in Ghana, Nana Akuffo-Addo will be doing a live broadcast to the whole country on all the about 10 radio stations of the national broadcaster.

Even though his campaign team have refused to say how much the broadcast would cost the former Foreign Minister, Joy News has learnt that the cost is to the tune of some US $4000.He is expected to tell Ghanaians why he wants to be president.The event will be broadcast later on television.Three other candidates, Alan Kyeremanteng, Dr. Addo Kufuor and Prof. Mike Ocquaye are also expected to hold media events to publicize their presidential plans.

60% of old currency notes replaced - BoG

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) on Monday said 60 per cent of the old currency had been withdrawn from circulation and replaced with the new currency.Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank, answering questions from the media during a briefing of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in Accra after its deliberations last week, said at the start of the exercise in July, about 9.1 trillion cedis was withdrawn and replaced with 5.45 trillion Ghana Cedis.

"This leaves an outstanding of about 3.6 trillion cedis yet to be replaced," he added.It is expected that the outstanding old currency would be completely withdrawn by December, 2007, the date set for the end of the main redenomination exercise.The BoG embarked on the redenomination exercise in July 2007 to reduce the burden of accounting and cutting the risk of carrying large sums of physical cash.Dr Acquah also announced that the Central Bank had divested its interest in the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to the Financial Investment Trust, a body that takes into custody government shares for onward investment either to the public or a strategic investor.

Therefore in principle, the divestiture has taken place and the Central Bank has moved on with the process," he explained. He said the idea was to ensure that the BoG, as the regulator of the banking industry, was not seen as a player as well.Dr Acquah said the issue of divestiture and/or acquisition of any Bank by another had to do with the services that the Bank had to offer. Asked what the response should be for the ADB situation, Dr Acquah said: "Whatever action would be taken should be done with the focus that the agricultural sector will be enhanced and the agricultural focus should be maintained in the Bank."Any bank or institution that buys into ADB and dilutes the original intent of the Bank should not be entertained.

"Our main focus as a regulator is to ensure that a real financial industry is developed in the country. Any new Bank that comes into Ghana should be an internationally active Bank as a major criterion and we would consider a Bank with this kind of reputation."Merchant Bank Ghana Limited, Robo Bank of Netherlands and Stanbic Bank of South Africa have expressed interest in taking up the 48 per cent shares that the BoG is disposing of in ADB. Dr Acquah said if the right thing was done within a competitive atmosphere shareholders would have value for money with guaranteed quality service.
Source:GNA

Stop showing disrespect to our Veep

Mr. George Ayisi-Boateng, one of the most loyal stalwarts and defenders of the NPP in the party's World Bank capital of Kumasi has appealed to NPP presidential aspirants and their supporters to stop showing disrespect to "our sitting Vice President".Mr. Ayisi-Boateng has probably defended NPP government policies and personalities on radio programmes in Kumasi than many a sector minister or MCE or DCE.

Speaking to ADM last week in an exclusive telephone interview from his base in Kumasi, he said he had observed with "increasing disquiet and disappointment the way in which some of these aspirants and their supporters are targeting the VP."Without mentioning names, he said "let who the cap fits, wear it."He said he had never hidden his support for the VP "from the beginning, because my conscience and instincts tell me that's the right thing to do and he is the right man at the right time to lead the NPP into another victory.

God did not let the President Kufuor choose him as Vice President for nothing."He said because Alhaji Aliu Mahama is "our sitting Vice President, it does not matter whether he is also a presidential aspirant or not, that office he is still occupying deserves our respect."He said in Ghana's constitutional arrangement, Alhaji Aliu Mahama is Ghana's No 2 all the way to January 7 2009 when he moves to the No. 1 position or makes way for someone else. This entitles him to all the courtesies attached to his office and "above all, the respect and loyalty of all those who say they are genuine NPP supporters."It is an NPP government, he told ADM, that is currently running the affairs of Ghana.

On the pinnacle of the government, he said, sits President Kufuor and "right after him is Vice President Aliu Mahama; any person, whether in the NPP or NDC who shows disrespect to Aliu is also extending it to Kufuor."He said "when we talk of the Presidency, we are referring to President Kufuor, Vice President Aliu Mahama and all the officials under them."By the same token, he explained, "in the legislature, it is Mr. Sekyi-Hughes, the Speaker of Parliament and his officers and in the Judiciary, Mrs. Georgina Wood, the Chief Justice and her officers."Mr. Ayisi-Boateng said he is particularly "saddened by the fact that Aliu is minding his own business, he has not insulted any aspirant, he does not use foul language, he is a man of a few words and yet they are attacking him so unfairly and viciously." He asked which of them is perfect.

"If we all mean to descend into the gutter, no one will remain standing?He said he is however not surprised because "they must know in their heart of hearts that he is the man to beat, he is the obvious choice of the people, he cuts across the political divide, the man who the NPP, NDC, PNC, CPP and the others would be comfortable with as a president, so they are trying to destroy his chances, not realizing that it is the NPP's chances they are also diminishing." Showing a degree of exasperation, he said, "why cut your nose to spite your face?"He called on the NPP leadership and elders to immediately call to order all "these people who by their blind ambition want to undermine the presidency.

"He asked: "Where is the Code of Ethics they said they have instituted? Who enforces it?"Mr. Ayisi-Boateng, an Ashanti man, has not hidden his support for the Vice President. He has always held to the belief that if the NPP rallies behind the Vice President instead of looking for excuses to dump him, it would set a new image for the often regarded Akanistic party and easily win Election 2008. He told ADM that he hopes the aspirants would not degenerate into "gutter politics, in which case we could as well start preparing to hand over the keys of the new Flagstaff House presidential complex to the NDC."
Source:Accra Mail

U17 WC: Starlets progress to round 16

Starlets progress to round 16 in style Ulsan (SK), Aug. 26, GNA - The National U-17 soccer team, the Black Starlets on Sunday made Ghana proud in Ulsan, South Korea when they played a determined game to defeat "threatening" Colombia to qualify to the next stage of the World U- 17 competition.

Before the game, the Ghanaians were relying on the performance of some weak teams who would place in third positions to qualify into the round of 16 on superior goal aggregate if they failed to beat Columbia. Head coach Sellas Tetteh and his boys had promised Ghanaians of a win, which indeed came their way but their next hurdle is how to beat their next opponents, Brazil to sail through to the quarter-finals. The Starlets came into the match with a lot of determination and were favourites to all the connoseurs in Ulsan including the Korean media who later told the GNA Sports that Ghana could easily eliminate Brazil in their next game.

From the referee's whistle, the Starlets dominated play with accurate man - to - man passes and delicate ball control characteristic of Ghanaian players but failed to translate their numerous chances into more goals.
Sadick Adams and Abeiku Quansah entertained the crowd with their moves as they surged towards the Colombian goal but their opponents did well to defend solidly to prevent any early goals.

On the 16th minute mark, Ishmael Yartey had a glorious opportunity to open scoring but the Colombian keeper Mauricio Acosta was alert to save his side by making a good save.
The Starlets continued to mount pressure and in the 32nd minute, Ransford Osei opened scoring after Quansah had meandered his way through the Colombian defense to cross the ball, which found the hungry and waiting foot of Abeiku who made no mistake to slot in the ball for the opener.

They continued to mount the pressure and earned five corner kicks in the half but they failed to utilise any of them.
The Colombians tried to match the Starlets with their physique and height but they could not redeem the goal for referee Craig Thomas of Scotland to bring the proceedings of the first half to an end after one minute of time added on.
The Colombians came back from the recess with full of fight and seem to out-class the Ghanaians initially but Ransford Osei caused a stir in their camp when he nearly increased the tally with just one minute into the second half.

The Colombians pulled a surprise on Ghana when Carlos Rarmos was able to beat the Starlets defense and cross the ball into the 18 yard box, which Christian Nazarith made no mistake to equalise in the 60th minute.
The equalizer gingered the Colombians to make scary moves towards Ghana's goal area but their efforts were always contained by the Ghanaian defense.
The Starlets took control of the match from the 70th minute and used their experience and beautiful game play to get the winning goal in the 84th minute when Ishmael Yartey made no mistake to slot in the ball to create merry making among the Ghanaian fans.

Even though the Starlets had so many scoring chances, they failed to make use of them to increase the tally until the referee brought the proceedings to an end after three minutes of added on time amidst cheers from the Korean fan and the handful of Ghanaians.
Ghana finished second in Group 'F' and would be meeting Brazil who also placed second in Group 'B' on Wednesday, August 29.
Source:Caesar Abagali

Pix From Bui Sod-Cutting Ceremony

I will not call my predecessors names - Mills

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, on Friday reiterated that when he becomes the president of Ghana with a four-year mandate, he would not waste it on calling the predecessor government and his political opponents names. He told Ghanaians in Atlanta, US that he would spend the time in making positive changes in the lives of Ghanaians and that his foremost vision would be to build a new and united Ghana that would give equal opportunities to all and not skew opportunities in favour of only a selected few. "The laws of the land would work and it would not take Atta Mills to decide how the laws should work so my job would be to focus on giving Ghanaians a meaningful change and restoring hope and confidence in them rather than abusing the mandate I would have been given, by chasing imaginary enemies", the Presidential Candidate said. According to a statement issued on the tour of the US by NDC Presidential candidate for Election 2008, Prof Mills had also brainstormed with the prestigious Horehouse School of Medicine on health delivery and the concept of leadership to students of Bauder College in Atlanta before meeting with Ghanaians and was the guest of the renown Carter Center. He told the Ghanaians, "Our motherland is very much polarized as I speak to you and I am sure even from a distance, you are aware of what I am talking about." "An Atta Mills government would bring all shades of opinion on board and would not ask for one's ethnic origin or one's political affiliation before deciding whether to give the person a hearing or not. "Once you are a Ghanaian and have the ability and potential, the doors would be opened for you to put your shoulders to the wheel for us to develop our nation. Ghana's agenda would be first; and not any political or ethnic agenda." He said he would not engage in vindictive and divisive politics that would see him asking all top civil servants who have served under the Kufuor administration to "proceed on leave and for seven years, keep them at home". "The country invests a lot in training our civil servants and so if we keep sacking them for no apparent reason, we would not only be causing huge financial loss to the state, but it would get to a point where we would not get competent people to work for the nation because they would be afraid of not having a secured tenure," Prof said. On the issue of ROPAL, Professor Mills said as he has said time without number, he had made it clear that the NDC has never, and would never, underestimate the contribution of Ghanaians in the Diaspora towards the development of the country. He said the NDC was "not against the law in principle except that considering the way the NPP government is employing its unacceptable "let the opposition have their say but we would have our way" line of thinking to stampede the process, it portends danger for the country. According to the NDC Presidential Candidate, even back at home, the electoral system has not been perfected and so his party's position was that, the nation must tread cautiously with ROPAL so that, “we don’t wake up one morning to a non-existent country because we are killing each other over questionable election results". Prof. Mills cited the case of the Pru Constituency, where in the last elections, per the first count, the Electoral Officer declared President Kufuor the winner in the presidential race by 1,000 votes but upon the insistence of the constituents that there was no way he could have won in that constituency, a second count proved the people right as he (Atta Mills) was declared winner by a whooping 10,000 votes. "Can you imagine the number of Prus that happened and how such happenings can lead to serious disputes?" the NDC Presidential Candidate asked. He said, "That is why we need to be extremely careful and make sure that all the ground rules have been agreed upon by all before implementing the law because we all know how electoral disputes have been the cause of raging conflicts all over the world and I am very convinced that those of you here want to have a home called Ghana and not wake up to find that you have lost your kith and kin back home because of conflict arising from the votes that you cast here." At the Carter Centre the discussions centred mainly on how the Carter Center, well-known for its role in democratic governance, could continue to "keep an eye" on Ghana and continue to have a stake in the growth of Ghana's democracy. Prof. Mills also thanked the Center for the very vital role it played in helping in the eradication of the guinea worm disease years ago and hoped that even though since 2001 the disease had resurfaced in unacceptable proportions, the Centre would once again lend its needed support to help eliminate the diseases in Ghana. The Cater Centre, represented by the Vice President John Stremlau and David Carrol, Director of the Democracy Programme, lauded the former Vice President of Ghana for his leadership style and promised to keep Ghana on its "tracking system" both in the area of its democratic progression as well as in the area of guinea worm eradication. Prof. Mills entourage comprised Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo of the Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Cadman Atta Mills, formerly of the UN and World Bank and brother of the Presidential Candidate, as well as Mr Koku Anyidoho, who is in charge of the communications outfit of Atta Mills.GNA

Work begins on Bui Dam Construction

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday cut the sod to mark the start of work on the 622-million-dollar Bui Hydro-Electric Dam Project at Bui in the Brong Ahafo Region. The construction of the Dam, which has been on the drawing board for decades, would add 400 megawatts to the national electricity generation mix on completion.Apart from hydropower generation, the Project has irrigation, fisheries and tourism components and the construction of a nucleus of a metropolis to be called Bui City that is expected to provide impetus to the economic and social transformation of the area.The construction phase is projected to give direct employment to 2,900 Ghanaians.Speaking at the ceremony President Kufuor gave a firm assurance that its implementation would be kept consistent with internationally accepted environmental standards and best practices. A comprehensive environmental monitoring and mitigation plan, he said, had been incorporated in the Project's design to minimize its negative impact.Additionally, the Government would ensure that compensatory plans for resettlement of about 2,000 people, who would be affected by the Project, would draw extensively on experiences from earlier re-settlement schemes undertaken during the construction of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro-Electric Projects.President Kufuor said the Project, programmed for completion in early 2012, was part of the overall strategy to triple the country's energy supply capacity from the current 2,000 megawatts to 6,000 megawatts by 2015.He called on the nation's engineers, technicians and managers as well as both skilled and unskilled labour to take full advantage of it to help to promote the necessary technology transfer that would enable the country to execute similar projects on its own in the future. Sino-Hydro, Chinese Company, reputed for the construction of China's biggest hydropower dam is constructing the project. President Kufuor spoke of plans to build small dams on the Ankobra, Pra, Tano and the White Volta.He said "to look ahead to the next 30 years, to forestall the current energy shortage problems that currently confront us, and in anticipation of increased population and widespread industrialization, it is hoped that planning ahead for increased energy supply will become part of the national culture".President Kufuor conveyed the country's appreciation to China, which is providing 562 million dollars towards the Project. The remaining 60 million dollars is from the Government of Ghana."The (Bui) Hydro-Energy Project is yet another addition to the list of collaborative ventures," he said.Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Energy Minister, described the Project as a 'dream that has become a reality'.Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance Minister, asked the business community to seize the opportunity offered by the Project to create more wealth and jobs.China's Ambassador, Mr Yu Wenzhe said Ghana and his country were both developing and that it was important for them to cooperate and to assist each other in times of need. He said China would continue to support Ghana as well as encourage its entrepreneurs to invest and set up joint-ventures in the country. Mr J.H. Mensah, a Statesman, who presided, said the project was in fulfilment of a promise the Government made to the nation. 24 Aug. 07
Source:GNA

GCB to rollout MasterCard in Ghana

The Ghana Commercial Bank, GCB, has acquired a certification to issue MasterCard in Ghana. It has thus become the first bank in Ghana to acquire a principal certification for the global brand. GCB with its 135 networked branches and 10 agencies will sponsor affiliates and work with merchants as well as customers to roll out the various types of MasterCard including debits, credit and pre-paid. A delegation from MasterCard International is currently in the country to finalize preparations to enable the bank introduce the card. The Head of Marketing and Card Business at GCB, Alhaji Hussein Ibn Salifu has told JOY News that the bank will launch the MasterCard before the end of the year, explaining that with the introduction of MasterCard, customers of GCB will have access to their accounts in any part of the world. GCB's association with MasterCard dates back to the years when it introduced the first prepaid card, Mondex, another product of MasterCard. The bank officials say their electronic payment system will be integrated into the domestic platform being sponsored by the Bank of Ghana.

Mazuii applauds opposition ....

Professor Ali Alamin Mazrui, a world acclaimed African scholar, on Thursday attributed the relative political stability in Ghana to the moderation of the opposition saying, "restraint by the opposition in Ghana is a virtue.""The behaviour of the opposition goes a long way to determine the political status of a country and Ghana's opposition must be given the credit for their restraint, which has kept the country relatively stable for decades," he said.Prof. Mazrui, made the remark at the seventh in the Golden Jubilee Lecture series, jointly organised by the Ghana at 50 Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and NEPAD. The topic for the lecture was "The Brain Drain and the dual Diaspora: Post-enslavement and post-coloniality."Prof. Mazrui noted that political instability among other things was a major "push out factor" that contributed to brain-drain in Africa.He said the phenomenon resulted in professionals moving out of the continent to the West due to "pull in factors" such as better economic, educational, political and social conditions among other things. Prof. Mazrui recalled that in the post-independence era, in Ghana, domestic policies of the then Conventional People's Party government sparked off the phenomenon of post-colonial Diaspora.He said Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's Preventive Detention Act was one of the major cause of Ghanaian intellectuals, who felt unsafe and unwanted in their own country to leave Ghana."Not just in Ghana but in the whole of Africa at the time, politicians made it look like African intellectuals were destabilizing elements rather than development partners-I was personally refused an appointment to lecture in my own country and I was told it was for political reasons," he said.Prof. Mazrui said the over throw of Dr. Nkrumah set the tone for a chain of coups in Ghana and its resultant political instability that plagued the country until recently.He said Ghana had over the past few years shown signs of moving completely from a coup-prone country to a coup-proof country, characterised by sound political developments. Prof. Mazrui said even though Ghana and some other African countries were relatively stable, the brain drain situation was rising because the "pull in factors" in the West continued to out-weigh "pull in factors" in Africa."A recent online research indicated that through brain drain, one-third of Africa's education budget has become a supplement to the US education budget because most of the people who leave Africa to the states are people who are highly trained with African resources," he said.Prof. Mazrui charged African leaders to formulate policies to tackle the brain gain issue, and noted that Africa could not do anything about the "pull in factors" that existed in the West.He urged African leaders to as a matter of policy begin to stem the domestic "push out factors," which also included poverty, lack of opportunities for career development, education and better social services among other things.Prof Mazuri said attempts to solve the brain gain problem should focus on bringing the expertise of African intellectuals in the Diaspora to bear on the continent's development without necessarily relocating them physically unto the continent."He said there was difference between post-enslavement and post-colonial Diaspora, explaining that in the United States for instance, the post-enslavement Diasporians were the Africa-Americans, born and raised in America, but the post-colonial Diaspora, who he referred to as the American-Africans, comprised of those who migrated to the states as a result of the "push out" factors.Prof Mazuri said both groups were resourceful and could be used for the development of the continent when the right policies and conditions were put in place."Remittances from members of African families in the Diaspora alone is higher than foreign direct investment from the west to Africa. But we are talking about financial and intellectual input from the Diaspora," he said.Prof. Mazrui also asked Africa states to find ways of converting brain drain to "brain transfer," where African intellectuals could move to other parts of the continent instead of moving outside the continent all together.Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketiah, graced the lecture ministers of State, members of the Council of State members, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic corps.
Source:GNA

Starlets coach optimistic of next stage berth

Sellas Tetteh, head coach of Ghana's U-17 team, Black Starlets is optimistic about the team's progress to the next stage despite Thursday's loss to Germany.The Starlets were beaten 3-2 by their German counterparts in the second match of their Group F clash at the Cheonan Sports Complex, South Korea.Associations (FIFA) as he expressed disappointment at the result but praised his players for the wonderful performance in the second half of the game.The Starlets scored two quick goals in the second half after a disastrous first half, which saw them conceding three goals within a spate of 27 minutes."Of course we are disappointed. In the second half, we showed the form we were aiming for in the first half."The Liberty Professionals coach was the least enthused about the tactical abilities of his team in the first half, saying "We definitely need to talk about that change for the future."Coach Tetteh has however said he is setting his sights on victory in the ultimate group game against South American side, Colombia who raced to the top spot after a 3-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago later on Thursday."If we get a second win, we will definitely reach the round of 16," assured the soft-spoken trainer who is hoping to be third time lucky after twice failing in various capacities as head coach and deputy.

Burly striker Sadick Adams expressed similar sentiments with his trainer and promised to make amends in the last game. "We have learned a lot from this match and really need to win our last game," said Adams who grabbed the Starlets second goal in the 52nd minute.The Starlets, two-time winners of the biennial championship play Colombia on Sunday in their last group game.
Source:GNA

Wayo Attacks NPP Aspirants

MR. CHARLES Kofi Wayo, the Leader of United Renaissance Party (URP), has reiterated the loaded and impregnated question posed by one of the presidential candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Boakye Agyarko to his opponents that what are they to do better that have not been done during their tenure of office as cabinet Ministers before seeking the mandate of Ghanaians to lead the country.He said the inability of the aspirants to present their proposals to the President and followed it up at the Parliament for its discourse, implies that they are not qualified to lead the nation.“What can they do better that they could not do as Ministers? Let them tell the whole world any proposals that they have written to the President, which was not honoured. They should tell the whole world the number of times that they have defended their proposals at parliament,” he said.Speaking to The Chronicle in an interview on a wide range of issues including energy crisis, his vision for the nation Ghana, recent fund raising of the NDC through its Founder, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings among others, Mr. Wayo, a maverick politician said, “The people jostling to lead the NPP are not qualified to rule this nation. They lack common sense and capability.”According to him, all the aspirants do not care about the plight of the nation and are only interested in becoming the President. “Currently we have people conducting traffic lights when the lights are off instead of the Police. None of these Ministers have complained about this. They are only interested in becoming a President on the ignorance of Ghanaians.”Mr. Wayo, who missed no chance at all in lashing at President Kufuor-lead administration anytime he gets the opportunity, said, the resignation of eight cabinet Ministers to pursue their presidential ambitions indicated that they think they can do better than the President.“They resigned because they believed that the country was not well managed by the President. They believe that President Kufuor is incompetent and incapable of helping the nation but to consistently depend on IMF and international donors. The URP would never depend upon foreign donors,’ he said.Touching on the recent fund raising of the NDC Founderr, which has generated hue and cry within the public to the extent that others are seeking for the source of the fund, the self-confessed energy expert told this paper that the move to investigate the funding of the matter was in a bad taste.He said if the NPP is urging the NDC to disclose their account, the NPP should do likewise because they have also been raising funds for their political activities without even telling the whole world the amount they have got.“If that is the case, they should also disclose their sources of income. The ministers aspiring to lead the NPP should disclose to us where they are getting their ¢250m from to pay for their presidential nomination fees. They are public figures.”“The NPP should tell us their sources of income because they have being doing the same thing. Have they told us the amount of money given to them by their former MP for Nkoranza, Mr. Eric Amoateng? There is no point in looking into the funding of the NDC,” he said.According to him, he is tempted to believe that the cocaine business that has now emerged in the country was a promise made to the cocaine dealers by the NPP party. Mr. Wayo asked, “I wanted to know whether the NPP has promised cocaine dealers and that is why much cocaine cases are now coming to Ghana,’ he asked.The leader of the URP, who stated that his primary concern was the plight of the citizens but not to pose his nose into the activities of cocaine cases in the country, said presidential aspirants of the NPP are taking Ghanaians for a ride because Ghanaians are not demanding accountability from them.“If people are civilize enough and demand accountability from them, most of them would not vie for that post. They cannot provide basic amenities for the people.”On his talk on the energy crisis, Kofi Wayo asked Ghanaians and civil societies to rise up against the government for plunging the country into total darkness.He said the government must stop treating Ghanaians in that manner and added that some bigwigs within the NPP are only bringing the whites to rob the nation.He asserted that those coming to manage the barge would not be able to live up to expectation except they are being brought by their cronies in the NPP to make more money.He also what is preventing the nation from firing some ‘incompetent’ staff from the Volta River Authority.Quizzed on the chances of his URP, Mr. Wayo, said having toured the country, he realized that people have now bought his policies and ideas and are prepared to vote for him in 2008.“The reception that I receive across the country was unbelievable. I believe that there is awakening and all my preaching are beginning to take root,” he said.
Source:Chronicle

Ghana Hits Another oil

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation has announced its second oil discovery offshore the Republic of Ghana. The Hyedua-1 well is located on the Deepwater Tano license in approximately 5,020 feet of water, 3.3 miles southwest and down dip from the Mahogany-1 discovery well, which Anadarko announced in June 2007. The Hyedua-1 well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 13,130 feet and encountered approximately 130 feet of net pay in a Cretaceous sandstone reservoir."The results of the Hyedua-1 well and our 2007 drilling program in the deep waters offshore Ghana are very encouraging," said Bob Daniels, Anadarko's Senior Vice President, Worldwide Exploration."The two discoveries indicate the presence of a large structure that extends across the West Cape Three Points Block and onto the Deepwater Tano license with a combined gross hydrocarbon column of nearly 1,200 feet. Based on the commercial potential of the area, the partnership continues to work in close cooperation with the Republic of Ghana and is making arrangements to bring another rig to the region to begin a rapid appraisal program in the fourth quarter."Anadarko is the technical operator of the Hyedua-1 well with an 18-percent interest. Tullow Ghana Limited, an affiliate of Tullow Oil plc, is the operator of the block with a 49.95-percent interest.Other partners include Kosmos Energy Ghana HC with an 18-percent interest, and Sabre Oil and Gas Limited with a 4.05-percent interest. The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation will be carried through the exploration and development phases with a 10-percent interest.The Hyedua-1 and Mahogany-1 wells were drilled using the "Belford Dolphin" deepwater drillship, which is under long-term contract to Anadarko. After the Hyedua-1 well is sidetracked to obtain additional core data, the drillship will move to the Gulf of Mexico to test additional prospects in Anadarko's 2007 exploration program.Source: oilvoice.com

Osu Homowo was Peacefull

Police presence in Osu in Accra, which is divided over achieftaincy dispute, ensured that the people had a peaceful Homowo celebration.Nii Nortey Owuo III, Osu Manste, amidst drumming and dancing, sprinkled"Kpokpoi", the traditional food made of corn flour and palm fruit soup, throughsome streets of Osu.Osu Mantse Nii Nortey Owuo 111 introducing himself to the gathering at the Osu palace before descending the stairways to perform the sprinkling of kpekpoi indicating the beginning of the Homowo celebrations the by people of Osu .

Ghana 1 Senegal 1

Senegal on Tuesday failed to punish a highly defensive Black Stars, and in spite of a near total dominance, the Terranga Lions could manage only a one-all draw in their international friendly at the Den Stadium, Millwall, England.Striker Asamoah Gyan had put the Black Stars ahead in the 44th minute in a half that saw both sides attempting onslaughts at the opposing net.It took a 73rd, almost unchallenged but well exploited opportunity by Senegal captain El Hadj Diouf to level matters for the Lions.In a match that saw the Senegalese earn as many as 10 corner kicks as against none for the Black Stars, such was the dominance of the Lions, whose vow to beat the Stars, expressed in pre-match outbursts by Diouf and colleagues met a stiff resistance in Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingson.On countless occasions, Kingson pulled off daring saves to deny the Lions near goals, and when the second half saw a slowed Michael Essien in the Stars midfield, the traffic was all towards the Stars end.Indeed the Stars major force in the first half, Laryea Kingston, was totally anonymous in the second half as Diouf and his men tore at ease at the Stars defence.The Stars barely threatened their opponents in the second half, and it came as little surprise when Diouf latched onto a floated ball that landed between and Richard Kingson just ahead of the six-yard box, affording him ample time to dribble the goalkeeper before planting the ball firmly into the net.The Stars next play Morocco on September 8, also in a friendly build up to the Cup of Nations.Line-up: Richard Kingson; Francis Dickoh; Hans Adu Sarpei/Michael Helegbe, (77); John Paintsil; Shilla Illiasu, Anthony Annan/Ahmed Barusso(90), Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien/Bernard Kumorji(77), Sulley Muntari/Junior Agogo(83), Asamoah Gyan and Haminu Dramani/Andre Ayew(90).