Kufuor wants to hugs Rawlings

President John Agyekum Kufuor has offered an olive branch to former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Speaking to BBC’s hour-long “Have Your Say” programme hosted by Peter Biles, Kufuor said he and Rawlings must let bygones be bygones and forge a relationship on a clean slate.
The interview, conducted at the Castle, Osu last Wednesday February 28, would be aired on television, internet and radio on Sunday, March 4, at 2.00pm.

A source close to the BBC, told Daily Guide that an avalanche of questions on about 30 pages of internet space were thrown at the Chairman of the African Union (AU) and Ghanaian President.
The President pointed out that there had been slips here and there from both sides, but the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence, in his view, called for a ceasefire and the forging of new beginnings.

Kufuor noted, according to our source, that it was in this spirit that he dispatched 8 eminent citizens to the former president to invite him to the celebrations on Tuesday, March 6.
He hinted that although Rawlings was yet to confirm his participation in the upcoming events, he was confident that the former president would be part of all the activities lined up for the jubilee in a spirit of oneness.

The president, Daily Guide learnt, emphasised his position in his maiden speech in 2001 when he stated that he would treat his predecessor as he would want to be treated.
Responding to several other questions, the President stressed his vision for Ghana and Africa.
On Ghana, he reiterated that infrastructural development and private sector development were necessary for the rapid development of the country.

hese, he said would place it in a competitive advantage over the rest of the world. Ghana, he added, was still blazing the trail of leadership, as highlighted at independence.
He noted also that his agenda was to show good leadership which would impact positively on its neighbours and other African countries.

DIDIER DROGBA: African Player of the Year 2006---Photo Account

NPP calls for unity as Ghana celebrates it 50th anniversary

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday called on compatriots to join hands in building a more prosperous and peaceful Ghana as the nation celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A statement issued signed by the General Secretary of the party also congratulated President John Agyekum Kufuor for “keeping the torch of freedom and justice burning higher and higher”. The statement paid an extraordinary tribute to Ghana’s first president, Dr. kwame Nkrumah, who with the help of other patriots fought for the country’s independence.

The statement, while saluting the people of Ghana on the 50 years of the nation’s sovereignty, congratulated both the previous and present government for steering Ghana to the present moment. “We also salute the countless others who worked as farmers, soldiers, teachers, traders, politicians, journalists, clergymen, and trades unionist whose toil and sacrifice paid the high price for nationhood”, it said.

The statement also recognised Madam Theodosia Okoh, the lady who designed the nationbal flag, Mr Amon Kotey who designed the national Coat of Arms, the late Phillip Gbeho who composed the national anthem and the late Dr. Ephraim Amu who composed the national patriotic song “Yen Ara Asase Ni” for giving the country symbols of national pride and inspiration.GNA

DIDIER DROGBA: African Player of the Year 2006

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was named 2006 African Footballer of the Year, edging out Ghana's Micheal essien and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o to deny the Barcelona marksman a record fourth successive award.
Drogba, 28, took the honour for the first time after captaining his country to the African Nations Cup final where they were beaten on penalties by hosts Egypt. Ivory Coast also reached the finals of the World Cup for the first time last year while Drogba won the English Premier League with his club side.
Chelsea team mate Essien finished third for the second consecutive year in the poll of Africa's 53 national team coaches.
Last year, Eto'o pipped Drogba by two votes in the closest race in the award's 36-year history.
Drogba turned the tables on Eto'o this time, securing 79 votes against his rival's 74. Ghana midfielder Essien polled 36 votes as coaches gave three points to their first choice, two to their second pick and one point to their third.
Drogba's success came four days after he scored twice to help Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in the League Cup final, taking his tally for the English season to 28 goals.
The Abidjan-born striker spent much of his youth growing up in France where he played for Le Mans, Guingamp and Olympique Marseille before moving to Chelsea in 2004. Drogba is only the third English-based footballer to win the award after Nwankwo Kanu, then of Arsenal, in 1999 and Senegal's El Hadji Diouf, who was with Liverpool when he took the title in 2002.
Eto'o helped Barcelona to a Champions League-Spanish Primera Liga double last season and finished top scorer at the African Nations Cup finals.
Essien, whose appearance attracted thousands to the city stadium in Accra, had an outstanding campaign as debutants Ghana reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Germany.
In other awards on Thursday, Olympique Marseille defender Taye Taiwo (Nigeria) was named best young African footballer while Ghana were chosen as international team of the year. Egypt's Al Ahli took the club prize and their Portuguese boss Manuel Jose was coach of the year.
Winners of Glo-CAF Awards 20062006 African Player of the Year Award Drogba Didier – Cote d’Ivoire/ChelseaInter-Club Player of the year 2006 Abou Treka Mohamed (Ahly,Egypt)
National Team of the year 2006 Ghana
Club of the year 2006 Al Ahly (Egypt)
Young player of the year 2006 Taiwo Taye (Nigeria, Olympique de Marseille)
Women Footballer of the year 2006 Cynthia Uwak (Nigeria)Coach of the year 2006 Manuel José (El Ahly, Egypt)
Source:GHP