Stars Win 4 Nation Tournament

the Squirrels of Benin on Wednesday almost succeeded in nibbling away the hopes of the Black Stars of Ghana, however, four spectacular second half goals by the latter made sure that the Squirrels’ two never counted much.


The Squirrels, parading what their officials say are only an assembly of locally-based talents, surprised the star-studded Black Stars after converting from the spot in the 24th minute when they were awarded a penalty and went ahead to add the second just under a minute of the second half.


And while they were at it, handlers of the Black Stars may have picked two or three assignments for the team to chew on; Complacency, Indiscipline and perhaps lack of concentration.


So frustrated were the Stars during periods in the game; especially when the Squirrels were calling the shots and again when they failed to win the sympathy of the central referee from dangerous play, their verbal responses, body language and gesticulations; gave the Stars away as a spoiled lot.

Useful tournament

Indeed but for the smiles they managed to restore on the faces of soccer-mad Ghanaians who thronged the Ohene Gyan Stadium for the finals of the Zenith 4-Nation tournament; courtesy strikes by Junior Agogo, Laryea Kingston(2), and Stephen Appiah, the Black Stars’ readiness to annex the forthcoming 26th edition of the Cup of Nations was being seriously questioned.

And the game also proved somewhat hazardous for the Stars as striker Baffour Gyan, who is warming his way back into regular call ups after two years absence, left the field on a stretcher from a thigh injury, while Stephen Appiah, even though managed to score, had lived the life of a passenger all afternoon until he was taken off with a wrist pain.

Thanks to the Squirrels, especially their goalkeeper and skipper, Rachad Chitou, the Stars at least are reminded that they cannot let down their guards, especially after nursing Ghanaians hopes and expectations for a successful nations tournament.

Indeed one positive thing can be said of the Stars: when they maintained their focus and saw the near defeat as a common shame, their zeal was just marvelous; it would have overcome any opposition.

But many will continue to ask if the Stars are indeed ready to go for glory when they host the rest of the continent in January. My take is, at our current work rate, we should do more.

In the match for third-place, the Sheyi Adebayor-led Togo side walloped the United Arab Emirates by 5:0 with Adebayor himself scoring one and earning for himself a standing ovation.

Stars Line-up: Sammy Adjei; Kofi Amponsah; John Mensah/Anthony Annan; Michael Essien; Laryea Kingston; Stephen Appiah/Matthew Amoah; Junior Agogo, Sulley Muntari, Haminu Dramani; Baffour Gyan/Andre Dede Ayew; Moses Narh/Hans Adu Sarpei.

Unused Subs: Richard Kingson; Francis Dickoh; Michael Helegbe
(Story and photographs by Isaac Yeboah)
Source Joy FM

Ministry institutes Diasporan Visa

Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations on Wednesday announced the institution of a Diasporan Visa to facilitate and encourage many Diasporans to return to Ghana several times and possibly invest in Ghana.


He announced also the offering of a DNA Map, to enable Diasporans who take a DNA test to have the opportunity to reconnect to their families in Africa.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng announced the steps in Parliament, in answer to questions related to the Joseph Project by the sector Ministry, in Accra, on Wednesday. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, MP for Wa West had asked whether Joseph Project of the Ministry was not a duplication of the already existing Emancipation and Panafest Programme, and therefore a waste of national resources.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the Joseph Project, also called the Akwaaba Anyemi, if anything would rather strengthen the Panafest and Emancipation and programmes and make them richer in content and enhance the personal experiences of the Diasporans. He said the Joseph Project is a series of activities aimed at reaching [descendants of], forcibly uprooted from Africa and have been lost to their homeland for more than 400 years. The programme, which was launched this year, includes activities such as a comprehensive education process for home-comers and the Diasporans to minimize the cultural shocks and conflicts that had occurred as natural development which came about during to the 400 years separation.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the a Nationwide Pilgrimage route has been identified and it would be offered to visiting Diasporans who would come to Ghana for Panafest, Emancipation Day or any calling. "Above all, the Akwaaba Anyemi Programme/Joseph Project seeks to invite the African Diaspora to utilize their resources to generate development and investment in Ghana in particular and in Africa generally," Mr Asamoah-Boateng said. He added that the Ministry had developed a comprehensive Tourism Policy to cover all aspects of tourism, adding; "The document is before cabinet." 21 Nov. 2007

Source:

GNA

Ghana to enjoy natural gas from December 23

Natural Gas is expected to start flowing through the West Africa Gas pipeline project from Nigeria to Ghana from December 23 this year.

Mr Aderemi Oladapo, General Manager in charge of Operations of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAGPCo), dropped the hint in Tema on Tuesday.



He said it would take four days for the gas to flow through the lines before reaching Ghana.
This follows the completion of the installation of the offshore segment of the gas pipeline by WAGPCo, which is currently conducting safety awareness campaigns across the sub-region in readiness for its take-off. Mr Oladapo was making a presentation at a day's forum organised by the WAGPCo for stakeholders in the maritime industry to sensitize them on the need to ensure that the lines were not damaged by their activities at sea.




He explained that a burst on the pipeline in Benin, Cotonou contributed to the delay of the completion of the project, but this has been rectified and was optimistic that gas would definitely flow through the line soon. The project cost about 600 million US dollars The General Manager pointed out that a colossal amount was used in repairing the lines and urged the participants to educate their staff to ensure that, at sea they observe safety measures and ensure compliance with identified safety precautions.

According to him WAGPCo would periodically organise series of such forums in the sub-region to remind stakeholders of the need to protect the lines.




Mr Opare Addo Nketsia, Technician Operator said WAGPCo conducted risk assessments posed by shipping and the collected data within the sub-region showed that fishermen were the worse offenders in the destruction of the equipment.

He mentioned possible causes of pipeline damage as the Ship Anchor Drag, illegal fishing method such as using dynamites, bottom trawling by inshore fishing boats as well as sabotage.




He advised officials in the maritime industry to be cautious and careful in their operations to prolong the lifespan of the pipelines. Mr Nketsia said there was the need for the Naval Personnel to monitor the coastline to ensure that fishing activities do not damage the pipelines.

Mr E. Oseni, Operations Supervisor warned that any damage to the pipelines would create socio-economic set back to the nation and the region and cautioned that disasters could occur through fire and loss of buoyancy.

To ensure absolute safety, Mr Oseni entreated maritime officials to strictly adhere to the regulations and not to operate close to the boundary areas, which is between 42 and 72 meters depth and two to four nautical miles away from the line.

Participating countries operating the Gas Pipeline Project are Nigeria, which is the source, Cotonou, Togo and Ghana. Participating stakeholders included Fire personnel, officials from the fishing companies and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)

Source: GNA

Zenith 4 Nation Tourney:Ghana 2-0 Togo

The Black stars defeated Togo by 2-0, at the Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday, to qualify for the finals of the Zenith Four Nation Tournament.
Two second half goals from substitute Baffour Gyan and Laryea Kingston was enough to see Ghana through to the finals where she meets Benin ...

Lineup: Kingson; John Paintsil, Kofi Amponsah, John Mensah/Anthony Annan, Sarpei; Michael Essien, Laryea Kingston/Andre Ayew, Stephen Appiah(cpt)/Moses Narh, Sulley Muntari; Mathew Amoah/Baffour Gyan, Junior Agogo

Accra:-Kufuor attends thanksgiving mass

President John Agyekum Kufuor and his wife, Theresa, on Sunday joined hundreds of worshippers at the Christ the King Catholic Parish to give thanks to God for his escape in last Wednesday's car crash at an intersection on the Airport-37 Road.He came out unscratched, when a Benz Elegance saloon car, driving at top speed rammed into the vehicle carrying him on a normal drive from his house to work at the Castle, Osu.

The bizarre accident sent shock waves across the country and to show how grateful the nation was to God for the life of the President, the congregation sang praises and said special prayers for his continued protection at the thanksgiving mass.

The Reverend Monsignor Seth Osei-Agyemang led the mass and in his homily, counseled the faithful to remain unwavering in times of difficulty and challenges.He said in the life of man there were bound to be disasters and trying moments and that when they happened "we should remain firm in our faith and trust of the Lord.""When our world come crushing down, we must save ourselves by hanging on to God", he said, citing the troubles and suffering that the biblical Job went through and the confidence he showed in the Lord.

"We must see every bad experience as an opportunity to reshape our priorities", the Reverend Osei-Agyemang added.He noted that every day and every ending could be a beginning.Accidents happen everyday but the Kingdom of God "shall endure and we shall live."He assured President Kufuor, who is a member of the Church that, the parish would always stand in spiritual closeness with him. 18 Nov 07
Source:GNA

Nduom-Kufuor and NPP's tenure is over

Convention People's Party (CPP) presidential aspirant, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, at the weekend told Ghanaians not to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 elections since their tenure of office was over.

He said the 1992 Constitution allows the president to run a two term of office and that Kufuor and the NPP would be ending theirs in December 2008 to pave way for the CPP to govern the country.

Dr Nduom was addressing a mini rally of party members in Tamale to outline his programmes, if he is given the chance as a Presidential Candidate and subsequently made the President.

"I am not only interested in winning the primary to become CPP Presidential Candidate, but also interested in occupying President Kufuor's seat when he leaves the Castle in 2009."

Dr Nduom said Ghanaians should discard the notion that governance in Ghana was between the NDC and the NPP, and give their maximum support to the CPP to enable the party to win power and continue with the "Unfinished agenda" of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

He claimed that Ghanaians were now denouncing the NDC and the NPP for their inability to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich and that the CPP was going to march them boot for boot.

Dr Nduom said when the NDC's tenure of office under former President Rawlings ended in 2000, power was handed over to President Kufuor and the NPP peacefully, and asked the Kufuor administration to do the same to the CPP in 2009.

On his political attachment with the NPP, Dr Nduom explained that it was a call to serve mother Ghana and that any patriotic Ghanaian would not refuse such a call.

He appealed to members of the party to discard the notion that he had NPP "Blood" in him saying, "I have been CPP all my life".

He said his position in governance qualified the country for the Millennium Challenged Account (MCA), which benefited the country including Northern Region and that a CPP government would see more improvement in the lives of the people.

Dr Nduom said a CPP government would reintroduce the Northern Scholarship to ensure that all children of Northern origin went to school up to University level free of charge.

He called on all members who were in other parties to retrace their steps and become part of the winning team in 2009 to jointly offer good governance to Ghanaians.

Mr Albert Atutiga, Northern Regional Chairman of the party called on party members to critically examine all people who wanted to rule Ghana before they give them the mandate.


Source: GNA

Ghana's President Cancels All Engagements.

President J.A. Kufuor yesterday took a rest and cancelled all official engagements following the near fatal accident which he survived on Wednesday afternoon.
Official assignments cancelled included his scheduled participation in the investiture ceremony of President Ernest Bai Korama of Sierra Leone.

President Kufuor’s official Mercedez Benz car was involved in an accident at the Opeibea Junction on the main 37 Military Hospital – Airport road in Accra when he was going to his office from his residence.

The President escaped unhurt but his driver, Safo Addo, sustained knee injuries and was admitted at the 37 Military Hospital.
Castle sources told the Times yesterday that the president was treated and discharged and would be going to hospital for a review.

The source said the driver of the other car that ran into the President’s car, Thomas Osei, is still on admission at the 37 Military Hospital under police guard.
ACP Daniel Julius Avorga, MTU commander told the Times that Osei will be interrogated by the police when he is discharged from hospital.
A release issued by presidential press secretary, Andrew Awuni, said a number of messages have been received from distinguished personalities from Ghana and abroad extending their best wishes to the president.

"The messages largely share in the distress resulting from the incident which potentially would have been more disturbing, save the President’s narrow escape."
It said the well- wishers conveyed their sympathies praying for his speedy recovery while renewing pledges and immense support for the administration.
Source:GHP