President Kufuor in Car Accident

President John Kufuor escaped unhurt when his convoy was involved in an accident on Wednesday while he was on his way to the Castle.

The accident occurred on the main road between the Kotoka International Airport and the 37 Military Hospital.

The president's vehicle was crossed - some eyewitnesses claim his vehicle was rammed into - by a red Mercedes coming from the opposite direction, at a major intersection on the Airport road.

No official version of how the accident happened has yet been released, however the Presidential Press Secretary Andrew Awuni said: "The picture is not very clear about the accident, It's a bit strange for the car to run into his car directly."

The vehicle, Kufuor was in, rolled over several times.

According to an eyewitness: "The car finally rested on the sidewalk and the people around helped his security men to pull him out. The president came out holding his head"

He was rushed to the hospital.

Later in the day, the Presidential Press Secretary said the president appeared to be unhurt and is back at Castle but was undergoing medical tests.

Some members of the president's entourage, who were seriously injured, have been moved to the 37 military hospital for medical attention.

"As I speak to you now the president is safe at the Castle at Osu," a reliable security chief told the Ghana News Agency in Accra later in the afternoon

He said preliminary investigations had begun to ascertain the circumstances of the accident to take precautionary measures. The security source said that "a suspect" had been detained pending further investigations.

Text Message to GHP Newsroom from "eyewitness"

• convoy crossed by car b/t Legon & 37 - Opeibea hse. K4's car overturned many times. Kufuor came out himself. hurt in the arm .. maybe
• Kufuor was hurt. they are hiding smthg..
• Thank God. He survive. i belive it was attempt on life
• Ghanaweb, hv u heard? Kufuor was shot when drivg on airport road

Joy FM:

• There are however conflicting reports on the accident. While the Information Minister Oboshie Sai-Cofie told Joy News that the President was unhurt and safe, eye witnesses Joy News spoke to said, the President�s car which was knocked from the left side was came out of his car holding his head and was lifted by onlookers to an unknown destination.

Source: GHP

Accra traders on strike

Traders in the capital Accra have shut their shops in protest of what they say is unfair competition from foreign investors in the sector.

Shop owners at Abbossey Okai where vehicle spare parts are sold, have closed their shops.

A number of foreign investors are reportedly operating in the retail sector which is reserved for Ghanaians, except for investors who are able to make investments above the amount of $300,000.

The action is being lead by the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA).

Speaking to Joy News, the National Organizer of GUTA, Mr. Joseph Obeng says they are determined to fight their cause and ensure their members remain in business.

The traders are meeting their leaders on Tuesday November 14, 2007 at the Opera Square in Accra to deliberate on the next line of action.

Rawlings descends heavily on NPP

Former President Jerry Rawlings has accused the NPP government of masterminding the enstoolment of Francis Nyonyo Agboada as Awoamefia of Anlo, a situation he says is illegal. The former president also accused the Kufuor-led administration of consistently corrupting the chieftaincy institution.

Speaking at fundraising rally of the National Democratic Congress in Akatsi in the Volta Region, Mr Rawlings said the government, in a desperate attempt to hold on to power, had dabbled in the Anlo chieftaincy crisis by supporting Torgbui Sri. He cited the Dagbon chieftaincy conflict as well as the Ga chieftaincy clashes as examples of the government’s complicity in protracted chieftaincy conflicts in the country. (Play the attached audio to listen to former President Rawlings).

The occasion was also used to launch an ID card for NDC party members. The former President said the government was preparing to rig the polls using the ROPAL and urged supporters to be resolute and stand against it.The New Patriotic Party had planned a similar rally in the same district on Sunday. More later.

Ohene Djan Stadium opens...As Ransford Osei Makes History

President J.A. Kufuor on Sunday commissioned the refurbished multifunctional Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, venue for the opening and final games of the Ghana CAN 2008.Without mincing words, the President demanded high professionalism of managers and engineers of the facility and urged them to adopt the best management practices to keep the stadium in good shape at all times.He said the immediate use of the stadium will be the hosting of the Ghana 2008 tournament and reminded all of the immense cultural, economic, social and political opportunities that come with hosting the tournament.

“With the anticipated hundreds of thousands of guests who will visit Ghana for the tournament, the tourism sector will also receive the needed boost leading to further growth of our economy. Government is committed to providing such state of the art stadia in all the regions of Ghana to afford every citizen equal opportunity in taking part in sporting activities.”The President also took the opportunity to wish Premier League side, Accra Hearts of Oak a happy anniversary on the occasion of the 96th year celebrations.

Ghana’s goal scoring prodigy, Ransford Osei of the national Under 17 side, the Black Starlets, registered his name as the first player to score at the new Stadium in a memorial match against the Togolese Under 17 side.He converted a 12 minute penalty to give Ghana the lead and added two more in the second half before Togo pulled one back. Another Starlet, Richard Ampong sealed victory with Ghana's fourth.