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).

Shine Starlets Shine!!!: U 17 SOUTH KOREA

Our Twinkle Twinkle little Starlets have a way for making us proud almost everytime they participate in Tournaments such as this. It is against this backgroud that I have become an ardent supportor of the side anytime there is an U 17 world cup. Ghana, having won this competion twice and an impressive record to boast of at the junior level, places a lot of burden on the shoulders of the current line-up. But I must be quick to add that I have been impressed by the performance of the team in their 1st game against Trinidad and Tobago. Right from the blast of the whistle, they made their intentions known that they will take nothig shy of a goal harvest. One thing particularly impresive about the side is their ability to pass the ball around with breathtaking speed. This is slightly different from the free flowing "one touch and pass" "Agoro" style we are used to. This is not to say that the Agoro style has been abondoned. Infact they have added the speed of the european League to the style making them one of the teams to beat. Special mention must be given to all the technical handlers of this side; those who are no more with the team and those who are still there. I applaude coach Silas Tetteh's poise and decision making. I would like him to smile a little bit in the next games though.

But most of all I give a double thumbs up for our gallent future Michael Essian's and Stephen Appiah's. Please take this chance to shine seriously, making your career the ultimate goal so you don't fizzle out early like some of your pre-decessors.I believe you can bring home the Ultimate prize!!

By:Isaac Tetteh

U-17 WC: Starlets In An Emphatic 1st Win

National U-17 soccer team, Black Starlets cruised on with Ghana's hope for a third global title at the FIFA world Championship when they spanked Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in a Group F opener on Monday in South Korea.
The Ghanaians who are making their eight appearance at the competition they won in 1991 and 1995, scored thrice in the first half before wrapping up the game late to jump to the summit of the four-team table with three points that includes Germany and Columbia. Sadick Adams gave the scanty Ghanaian fans dotted across the Cheonan Sports Complex a reason to expect a rainy day when he tore open the Trinidad and Tobago rear but surprisingly shot wide with just the yawning net in sight.
That move soared the team's confidence and opened the way for Ransford Osei who grabbed the opener in the 11th minute. Osei profited from a move initiated by Daniel Opare when the latter raced above his marker from the left flank, cut deep into the middle before instigating the final pass for the former to hit the back of the net with the ball in a manner that left Trinidad's goalkeeper Samuel Glenroy exposed.
The Starlets though not playing particularly well, managed a few chances, but consistent calls of offside by the assistant referee ensured their appetite for more goals was suppressed with the offside traps well executed by their opponents.
However the creative genius, Ishmael Yartey who struggled to stay in his element had a rear breakthrough with the offside traps on the 20 minute mark but with only Glenroy to beat, the All Blacks winger squeezed the ball on the goalie's body to the dismay of all. The pendulum of action fast swung into Trinidad and Toibago's favour and in one of the scarce threat to the two times world champions, it was Ghana's goalkeeper Joseph Addo who ensure the scores remained unchanged with a fine save.
Ghana was to strike again just when their opponents seemed to be settling down with incessant raids that saw Osei's well taken shot kissing the post and deflecting to safety on the 35th minute. Ten minutes on, Osei got lucky with his second, as he finished Abeiku Quansah's set up after the creative midfielder tore the defence into shreds before laying that pass.
Inspired by the goal, Adams made it three on the stroke of half time by feasting on Opare's sweat.
The second half produced less action, but gave indication of the fine telepathic understanding that proved the strength of the Ghanaian youngsters.
In their quest for redemption, the losers managed a consolation goal with a thunder bolt shot from substitute Stephen Compbell from a set piece just beyond the final third with 10 minutes left of play.
Substitute Kelvin Bossman grabbed Ghana's fourth five minutes later to ensure total victory. Ghana next plays Germany on Thursday.
Line-up Joseph Addo, Paul Addo, Daniel Opare, Francis Boadi, Tetteh Nortey, Abeiku Quansah, Enoch Adu/Abdul Naza Alhassan, Sadick Adams/ Kelvin Bossman , Ransford Osei, Ishmael Yartey, Philip Boampong/ Richard Mpong .
SummaryGhana beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 at the Cheonan Sports Complex in the second Group F fixture at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. Scorers: Ransford Osei(12, 44), Sadick Adams(45+1), Kevin Bossman(89) Line Up: Addo J, Addo P(C), Opare, Boadi, Tetteh, Quansah(56' Frimpong), Adu(77' Naza), Adams(76' Bossman), Osei, Yartey, Boampong Watch the match Here(FIFA) or channelsurfing

Nigerians Rush To Set Up Businesses In Ghana

Although sometimes chaotic, the Nigerian market has always seemed big enough to keep its local entrepreneurs occupied. However over the last twelve months, there have been significant moves by Nigerian companies looking to carve themselves a presence in other West African countries. With the announcement of two Nigerian investments this week in Benin and Ghana – one large and one small – Russell Southwood looks at how and why things are changing.South Africa is both an economic engine for the southern Africa sub-region and a platform for those wanting to do business across the continent. Although there are no exact figures, probably about 30% of its ICT companies have some involvement in selling their services across Africa and many multinationals make South Africa their regional headquarters for Sub-Saharan operations. In connectivity terms, despite the high monopoly prices of SAT3, the size of the South African economy and its connections with its sub-region means that it has become the sub-regional hub for countries like Namibia and Mozambique.Although South African ICT companies often look longingly towards becoming global operations (by buying companies in developed markets), their strength probably still lies in the scale of their domestic market and their uneasy links with the rest of the continent. Uneasy? There are not many Africans who will tell you that they have met modest, quiet South Africans in the course of doing business. They probably exist but they just haven’t met them yet.The Nigerian economy may be only a third of the size of South Africa’s but its mobile market will soon be bigger than South Africa’s. However, as a country it lacks proper power and transport infrastructure and along with its sheer size and scale of population, these have seemed to keep Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs eyes focused on their own country. Despite having a SAT3 landing station, Nigeria is not yet connected to any of its neighbours, although there have been long-standing plans to connect to Benin. Lagos airport is not a hub for regional flights in the way Johannesburg is and there is no airline of international standing providing regional flights.A couple of announcements this week signal that this may all be beginning to change and there is much more that is going on below the radar. Nigerian entrepreneur Mike Adenuga has been reported as being unable to return to Nigeria as a result of a run-in between the former President and Vice-President. But this has enabled him to play a more active role looking for business elsewhere in the region. Globacom’s ambitions in the region were signalled in announcement 12 months ago. Its investment in the Glo 1 international fibre cable (connecting many countries in West Africa) gives it an ideal future springboard for further involvement in the sub-region. Cheaper international connectivity will give it an interesting competitive advantage.But Globacom and the Beninois Government surprised everyone last week by announcing that a licence had been awarded to the company and it would be rolling out services in 60 days. According to Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Jameel it was preferred ahead of the other bidders because of its technical superiority and ability to deliver.According to the minutes of the Benin Government’s Council of Ministers (10 August) the bidding for new licences was launched (rather quietly) on 3 August and the decision was taken on at the Council of Ministers of 10 August to grant the licence to Globacom.This makes some of a nonsense of the Benin Government’s claims that it wants to run the telecoms sector in a different way to its predecessor. The Minutes of the Council meetings on 2 and 3 August make no mention of the tender and deciding a tender of this kind in seven days seems incredibly fast. Of course, the intention may simply be to displace MTN who are in dispute with the Government over licence fees (see issue 363) and has had its network switched off.Globacom paid FCFA33 billion for the licence to be paid in four tranches, the first tranche of which, FCFA15 billion, has to be paid by 19 August. Its taxes in the Cahier de Charges have been lowered from 6% to 4%, it has no import duties for three years and is exempt from co-location costs with Benin Telecom for one year.No sooner had news of this announcement been absorbed than the company announced with its usual 100% self-confidence that it would be granted a licence in Ghana. Globacom has been involved in sponsorship already in the country so it fell to the Manager in charge of Events and Sponsorship at GLOBACOM, Olayinka Atande to tell the press that: ‘Any thriving company which does not see the essence in establishing in Ghana is not serious.” The regulator NCA confirmed that it was studying an application from Globacom. Its name did not feature in the Westel acquisition (which may go to Celtel) but it could bid for incumbent Ghana Telecom that comes with a mobile subsidiary, One Touch.Meanwhile on a more modest but nonetheless interesting note, one of Nigeria’s key ISP players Linkserve has also set up shop in Accra. It is selling a satellite broadband Internet solution that promises download and upload speeds of 3 mbps, which even if you discount for operational speed, is a fast service. Obviously it requires VSAT equipment to implement. It is targeting internet users, corporate businesses, NGOs, embassies, mining industries and government institutions especially in the rural underserved areas. Linkserve promises that it has plans to roll out other products using SAT3 and wireless broadband technology before the end of 2007.Besides the two companies above, there are other companies like PC assembler Omatek that have opened up an office in Ghana. And the traffic is not all one way as Ghana’s Soft Tribe have repaid the compliment and opened up offices in Nigeria. There are few multinationals with regional offices in Lagos but GS telecom runs a successful pan-continental business from the city.If it is hard to meet a quiet, modest South African in business, then it is doubly hard to meet a Nigerian who has these qualities. But it is the entrepreneurial energy of people in the ICT sector from both these countries who are driving forward the emergence of a common market in Africa.
Source:www.balancingact-africa.com.