Gyan rues unlucky night as Stars hand support

Asamoah Gyan is had a fantastic World Cup but his miss from the spot in the final second of extra time against Uruguay could be the talking point as Ghana exited from the competition via the penalty lottery.

The striker, so often the hero for the Black Stars could not hold back his tears with the South American side going on to win the dramatic game 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 deadlock scoreline over 120 minutes Friday night.

In the very last minute of extra time, Dominic Adiyiah headed what should have been the winner for Ghana but Suarez blocked with his hands as Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca awarded a penalty.

Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take the shot but saw his last kick of the game go off the crossbar as the tie went into the penalty shootout which the South American nation won.

“I’ve nothing to say, you know? It’s part of the game,” Gyan said.

And in his opinion, Adiyiah’s header should have been given.

“The ball went in, it did cross the line, and the referee disallowed it,” he said. “If it was our day, the referee would have seen it and whistled as a goal. Everything is hard luck.”

Gyan, who scored three goals in the competition and picked up two Man of the Match prizes has received the backing of John Paintsil and goalkeeper Richard Kingson as both mates cheer on the striker and insist no blame laid at the doorstep of their leading scorer. 

“We have been talking to him about it. Obviously he is feeling very bad and it is not easy to forget it,” Paintsil said.

“As a team mate, we have to keep him with us, talk to him about it so that he can forget it as soon as possible.

“It is penalty, anyone can miss it. It is part of football. It is not a mistake, it is not a mistake at all. He kicked it from his heart. We all wanted to win the game but, yeah, we will pick it from there.”

For Kingson, he doesn’t expect Gyan to take any flak for the miss.

“No, there will be nothing like that,” Kingson said. “I had a message from my wife. She said everybody is happy now. We did our best and everybody is cheering him.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

Faulty aircraft leaves Vice-President Mahama stranded.

The Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, was Wednesday morning left stranded and disappointed when the aircraft that was to convey him to the Northern Region for an official function was discovered with a fault at the last minute.

After Mr Mahama and his entourage boarded the aging Falker 28, the pilot discovered a fault with the aircraft.

The pilot, who said it was not safe to fly the plane, broke the news to the country’s second gentleman who disappointingly disembarked, ending the trip.

The Vice-President was billed to deliver the government’s policy statement on cotton production in the three northern regions – Northern, Upper West and East – Joy FM’s Northern Regional Correspondent, Maham Shaibu said. 

He said a gathering of farmers from the three regions with the Northern and Upper East regional ministers in attendance, was waiting for the Vice-President for the commencement of the programme, only to receive the disappointing news.

According to Mahama Shaibu, the event has been postponed but the Vice-President’s Spokesperson, John Jinapo, who confirmed the incident to Myjoyonline.com, said the programme will go on as planned with the regional ministers representing Mr John Mahama.

John Jinapo said while the Vice-President was disappointed with the abrupt cancelation of his trip, he accepted the situation as “one of the things in life.”

Meanwhile the faulty plane has been moved to the air force base hangar to be fixed.


Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Glo pull out threats, potential Ghana-Nigeria trade war?

The recent threats by mobile operator, Glo, to quit the country, appear to be sparking a potential trade war between Ghana and Nigeria.


This follows a publication in the Nigerian newspaper, Business Daily linking Glo’s frustrations to what Nigerian traders say is a grand scheme by the government to clamp down on their businesses in Ghana.


The President of the Nigerian Union of Traders in Ghana, Jasper Amenike alleged in the publication of a concerted effort between the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Council to ensure that Nigerian businesses do not succeed.

Mr. Amenike further cited the shutdown of 83 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in the past seven months with 550 others expected to follow soon.

Glo’s threat to pullout, Amenike noted, was a confirmation of government’s anti-Nigerian stance.

At the heart of the traders’ complaint however, is a clause in Ghana’s Investment code requiring all foreigners interested in engaging in the retail trade to have a minimum capital of at least $300,000.

They say this is in violation of the ECOWAS protocol on free trade and movement of people.

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According to the publication, a top level Nigerian delegation to Ghana on Monday led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry was unable to workout an amicable solution.

Officials of the Trade Ministry approached by Joy Business were yet to comment on the matter.

Source: Joy Business/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Boateng: Bad boy label is a burden

Kevin-Prince Boateng has ridden a metaphorical roller-coaster this season. On the up-side, his club Portsmouth defied expectations to reach the FA Cup final, where they fell narrowly to Chelsea. On the down-side, the midfielder and his team-mates bade farewell to the English top flight after being docked nine points for entering administration.
The player, who insists he has moved on from the bad boy image beloved of the media, is now focusing all his attention on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The 23-year-old was born in Berlin but has opted to play for Ghana, and in an ironic twist of fate, he is now set to face his country of birth at the finals.
The eagerly-awaited group fixture has even more of an edge to it now, after Boateng’s challenge on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final caused the injury that forced the Germany captain to pull out of the FIFA World Cup™. Interviewed by FIFA.com, former Germany junior international Boateng spoke about his reputation, assessed Ghana’s chances in South Africa, and named his favourites for the global showdown.
FIFA.com: Kevin, you’ve faced a storm of criticism for the foul which put Germany captain Michael Ballack out of the FIFA World Cup. You’re still a young player, so how have you coped?
Kevin-Prince Boateng: Let me say first of all how sorry I am that Michael can’t play at the World Cup. I never meant to hurt him, and I apologised to him on the spot. It was just a late challenge, nothing more. I have this image as a bad boy and it was quite a laugh at the start. These things amuse you as an 18-year-old. But I’m 23 now, I’m married and I have a son. The image is a burden now. The media have given me this tag and they just sit and wait for me to do something stupid. But the people who know me realise I’m not like that. The most important things to me are my family and football, and I hope I can rid myself of this bad boy reputation over time.
Turning to football, let’s have a look back over your career to date, which began in Berlin.
When I was a little kid, I played in the Berlin streets with my brothers and my dad. I started at Hertha when I was just seven. I played for all the youth teams and eventually signed as a pro. I had a few problems at the start, mainly due to the pace and the hard tackling, but I was lucky enough to be playing alongside some really helpful older players. Niko Kovac, Dick van Burik and Fredi Bobic gave me a lot of support. I’m still really grateful to those guys.
At just 20, you switched to Tottenham Hotspur in England. Why did you opt for the Premier League?I became personally unhappy in Berlin, so I wanted to change clubs. Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur both came in for me, and at the end of the day I opted for Spurs, because I’d always wanted to play in the Premier League.

"It was just a late challenge, nothing more. I have this image as a bad boy and it was quite a laugh at the start... But I’m 23 now, I’m married and I have a son. The image is a burden now."

Kevin-Prince Boateng on the Michael Ballack controversy

It didn’t work out in north London though and you only made a handful of appearances, so you went out on loan to Borussia Dortmund.It was a difficult time for me. Spurs boss Martin Jol told me he thought I was a good player, but there was no place for me in his system, so I lost a year-and-a-half when I hardly played. By contrast, I had a very positive time in Dortmund. I had six terrific months there. I fitted in really well with the club, the coach and the team.
You maintained your good form for Portsmouth last season. Were you satisfied with yourself?You can always do better, but I had a decent season and learned a lot. We gave it everything we had as a team, and I’m really upset about what’s happened to the club. I’ve yet to think through my future at club level. I have two more years on my contract, but I’m concentrating totally on South Africa now. We’ll see what happens after that. But obviously, the eyes of the world are on the World Cup, so it can always be a showcase for a player.
You played for Germany as a youth, but you’re a member of the Ghana squad for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. What are the reasons behind your choice?I really enjoyed playing for Germany. It was recognition for all the work I put in, and the German FA really helped me develop as a player. But I made mistakes. I had a feeling the German FA wasn’t prepared to forgive me and I wouldn’t be given another chance for the national team. I delivered for my clubs, but I was never mentioned in connection with the Germany set-up. By comparison, I could have turned out for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup and at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. I was still holding out hopes of being picked for Germany and playing alongside my brother Jerome, so I turned Ghana down. But now I’ve made a rational decision, with my head rather than my heart.
Ghana have landed in a tough group. How would you rate Germany, Serbia and Australia?I think Germany are favourites, although you have to fancy the Serbs too. But I know we have quality in the team, and I’m convinced we can spring a surprise.
On 23 June, you’re very likely to face your country of birth and probably your brother too, as he’s in the Germany squad.Obviously, the Germany game is a special one for me. But I can promise the Ghana fans this: I play to win, even against my brother – or my father or mother, for that matter.
This is the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. What does it mean for the African people?This World Cup is incredibly important for the continent as a whole. I’m expecting a tournament full of joy and excitement, like four years ago in Germany. Everyone in Africa’s looking forward to the finals.
Finally, who are favourites to win the FIFA World Cup?Côte d’Ivoire are there or thereabouts. They have a superstar in almost every position. They’ve again been drawn in a tough group, but the time has come for them to make their mark. All their players are at top European clubs. If they can play well as a team, they could go a long way. Spain are also very strong contenders, and I see them in the final. And you can never discount Brazil and Germany.

Source: FIFA.COM

Nigeria vice-president confirmed

Namadi Sambo worked as an architect until he became a governor in 2007

Both houses of Nigeria's parliament have voted to confirm the appointment of Kaduna state governor Namadi Sambo as the country's new vice-president.


Mr Sambo is relatively unknown and his appointment could clear the way for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek election in 2011, analysts say.

There were rowdy scenes during the confirmation, with lawmakers screaming and shouting to delay proceedings.

Mr Sambo is a northerner and he maintains the regional balance.

President Jonathan, a southerner, was sworn in earlier this month after the death of Umaru Yar'Adua.

Mr Jonathan has not said whether he wants to stand for the elections and the governing People's Democratic Party has said its candidate will be a northerner - continuing its practice of alternating power between the mostly Muslim north and the largely Christian south after two four-year terms.

Mr Yar'Adua, who was a northerner, died before his first term ended.

Kaduna anger

The BBC's Caroline Duffield in Lagos says that although Mr Sambo is not seen as a strong contender in the elections, his appointment is still controversial.

In his home state of Kaduna, Mr Sambo is seen as weak and inexperienced - his administration is criticized as corrupt.

His replacement in Kaduna will be his deputy Patrick Yakowa, who is a Christian.

Our correspondent says that has prompted anger because the state is mostly Muslim. Some local politicians see it as a plot to hand political control locally to Christians.

The confirmation hearing in the House of Representatives was held up for nearly half an hour as lawmakers argued on procedure, some even suggesting it be suspended to allow for consultation with constitutional experts.

At one point, those supporting the Kaduna governor began singing "Give us Sambo", while House speaker Dimeji Bankole repeatedly called for order.

"I am pleading with colleagues to please to take their seats and take this matter with all sense of patriotism," Mr Bankole said at one point.

Eventually, the House confirmed Mr Sambo as vice-president. Senators had earlier approved him unanimously in a vote that lasted three minutes.

Married with six children, Mr Sambo is an architect and an ally of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, who intends to seek the presidency.


Source: BBC

Nigeria Prez picks Namadi Sambo as Vice

Vice President Namadi Sambo

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has named Kaduna state governor Namadi Sambo as his new vice-president, an official has told the BBC.


Mr Sambo, 57, must now be approved by both houses of parliament.

The move follows the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua and the swearing-in of his successor Mr Jonathan last week.

Whoever is named as vice-president is seen as a strong contender for the 2011 presidential elections in Africa's most populous nation, analysts say.

It remains unclear whether Mr Jonathan will seek to contest the elections on behalf of the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Jonathan is a southerner and the PDP has said its candidate will be a northerner - continuing its practice of alternating power between north and south.

Mr Sambo is from the north but there have been strong suggestions that Mr Jonathan may try to overturn the PDP tradition.

Kaduna state spokesman Saidu Adamu told the BBC's Network Africa programme that reports in local newspapers that Mr Sambo had been chosen were correct.

However, the president's office has not yet officially confirmed these reports.

The BBC's Caroline Duffield in Lagos says Mr Sambo is not a prominent politician, does not have a big power base and his name did not figure in public speculation about likely vice-presidents.

But she says he is likely to be confirmed by the Senate, which is expected to meet later on Thursday.

Married with six children, he is a qualified architect who became governor in 2007.

He is an ally of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, who recently said he would seek to contest the elections, our correspondent says.

She says he has taken security very seriously since becoming Kaduna governor.

Some analysts say he may have been chosen because he would not pose a threat to President Jonathan.

Source: BBC

Pre-mix fuel shortage hits Western Region

Citi News has learnt that premix fuel supply has run short in parts of the Western Region, causing distress to fishermen.

The Nzema areas are among some of the worst hit coastal areas. The Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive, Reverend James Ackah Cobbinah, told Citi News the landing beaches in his area need at least six tankers of the product per week to be distributed to the fishermen there.

According to him, the two landing beaches in his municipality collectively receive between 40 and 60 percent of that minimal optimal supply.

The MCE noted that Axim is the only coastal community with the highest number of canoes, yet they do not get the required quantity of premix that can satisfy the people.

This he believes could create problems for the fishermen and eventually the government if not resolved immediately.

He said on the average, Axim should have about six tankers a week, three for each of the two landing beaches. He said this could be managed in the meantime, until such a time that the supply of the product will flow constantly.

Meanwhile, the two premix committees in the Nzema East Municipality have been dissolved by the MCE.
This follows allegations that committee members were unfairly diverting the products and distributing them unfairly.

The committees which were introduced by the NDC government as part of measures to deal with bottlenecks in the distribution of premix fuel which was also a major campaign promise are tasked to monitor and distribute the product to fishermen in the area.

Each committee is chaired by the Chief fishermen of the area with representatives of canoe owners, fish mongers, a Representative of the MCE, as well as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as members. Each Committee employs a pump attendant and a Secretary.

Some of the committee members are alleged to have embezzled funds whilst others were accused of being selective with the distribution.

The MCE told Citi News he dissolved the two committees to quell the allegations although no adverse findings had been made against any of the members.

According to him, the allegations could have smeared the image of government especially when some members of the committees, were said to be living lavish lives since their appointment.

Source: Citifm

NDC youth demand dismissal of Khalid's deputy

Few hours after President Mills dismissed the Upper West Regional Minister Honourable Mahmoud Khalid, another Youth Group calling itself concerned members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region have also called for the removal of the Minister’s Deputy, Caesar Kale.

The Youth group is accusing the Deputy Minister of inciting some NDC youth who vandalised some party property and bolted with tender documents.

Some NDC Youth were arrested in Wa on Tuesday May 11, in connection with the disruption of a bidding process for the award of a contract for the construction of school projects.

Early on, some irate NDC foot soldiers vandalised some property belonging to the party to register their displeasure over the award of contracts to members of the Opposition New Patriotic Party by the Regional Minister.

This was after Regional Executives of the party had petitioned the President complaining about the Minister’s uncompromising attitude for which reason they could not work with him.

The Secretary to the Concerned Members of the NDC in the Upper West Region Saandong Wieneiba Nyira told Citi News that the Regional Youth Organiser and the Regional Chairman with support from the Deputy Regional Minister Caesar Khalid, orchestrated the removal of his boss so that he can take over as the substantive Minister.

Mr. Saandong Wieneiba further alleged that the Deputy Minister has plans to push for the said Regional Youth Organiser to be made his Deputy.

The group has given the President a 24 hour ultimatum to remove the
Minister or else they will hit the streets to register their displeasure.

‘‘24 hours from now, if nothing is heard we will pour onto the streets to protest our displeasure’’ he stated.

For now, it remains unclear if the President will once again heed to the request of these young men.

UK's Gordon Brown to resign as prime minister

LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a dramatic bid to keep his beleaguered Labour Party in power after it was punished in a national election, announcing Monday he will resign by September at the latest in hopes the third-place Liberal Democrats will join his party in a coalition government.
Brown's startling news conference came as the Conservatives, who won the most seats in Thursday's election but not a majority in Parliament, were already holding talks with the Liberal Democrats.
Lawmakers said those negotiations stalled earlier Monday over differences on key issues including reform of the voting system, education, and changes to the tax system.
The Liberal Democrats want Britain's voting system to be changed so that seats in Parliament more accurately reflect a party's percentage of the vote — demand that most Conservatives adamantely reject.
Brown said the Labour Party, which came a distant second to the Conservatives, would begin a leadership contest to replace him while he focused on talks aimed at breaking Britain's election deadlock.
"As leader of my party I must accept that as a judgment on me," Brown said, referring to Labour's poor showing in the election.
In a statement outside his office at 10 Downing Street, Brown said Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had asked to begin formal coalition talks with the Labour Party and the two could form a center-left alliance. Clegg had previously said Brown's departure would likely be a condition of any deal.
"There is a progressive majority in Britain, and I believe it could be in the interests of the whole country to form a progressive coalition government," Brown said.
Conservative leader David Cameron made no immediate comment on Brown's possibly game-changing move.
Clegg said the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives had "some very constructive talks ... and made a great deal of progress. But we haven't yet reached a comprehensive partnership agreement" after four days.
He said it was "the right thing and the responsible thing to open talks" with Labour.
Cameron's center-right Conservatives won 306 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, 20 short of a majority. Brown's center-left Labour won 258 and the center-left Liberal Democrats took 57 seats. Other smaller parties took the rest.
Brown said he hoped a new Labour leader would be appointed at the party's annual convention in September. Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Education Secretary Ed Balls will likely be leading contenders to succeed Brown as party leader.
The pound fell nearly 1.5 cents against the dollar after Brown's statement, trading at $1.4866 late Monday, reflecting some fear of Labour's continued presence in the government.
Britain has a record 153 billion-pound ($236 billion) deficit that the Conservatives have pledged to tackle faster than Labour. But Brown said his focus during his remaining time in office would be ensuring economic recovery.
Cameron's party was to meet later Monday and the Liberal Democrats indicated they too could gather again.
Clegg clearly was facing a tough choice: Trying to overcome ideological incompatibility to broker a deal with Cameron and the Conservatives or propping up Brown's defeated Labour Party.
The Conservative Party strongly opposes voting reform, as it would likely mean fewer seats for Britain's two main parties — the Conservatives and Labour — and would banish the Conservatives to the political wilderness for years to come.
Yet in the last election, Clegg's party earned 23 percent of the vote but got only 9 percent of the seats in Parliament.
Brown's announcement signals an end to a political career marked by great promise, considerable achievement and ultimate disappointment.
He spent a decade as Prime Minister Tony Blair's right-hand money man, but craved the top job himself. When he finally got it in June 2007, Brown faced economic crisis, a divided party, public disgust with politicians — and finally defeat in last week's election.
It was Brown's fatal political misfortune to follow the charismatic Blair. Brown was brooding and awkward by comparison, and a recent run-in with a voter — whom he called a "bigoted woman" — showed how much he lacked a common touch. But behind closed doors, Brown, 59, was often described as warm and agreeable.
Friends also say the son of a Church of Scotland minister is dogged, determined and fiercely loyal to Labour — a trait that prompted him to offer his resignation Monday so that his party had a chance at staying in office.

Gordon Brown 'stepping down as Labour leader'

Gordon Brown has said he is stepping down as Labour Party leader - as his party opens formal talks with the Lib Dems about forming a government.

Mr Brown, prime minister since 2007, said he hoped a successor as Labour leader would be in place by September.

The Lib Dems have been negotiating for days with the Tories - who won the most seats and votes in the UK election.

But the Lib Dems have asked for formal talks with Labour. Mr Brown said it was in the "national interest" to respond.

Mr Brown's statement will be seen as a move to smooth the way to a deal between Labour and the Liberal Democrats to form a government.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was an audacious bid by Mr Brown to keep Labour in power - and himself in power for a limited period.

Voters' judgement

It comes after further talks between the Tory and Lib Dem negotiating teams and another meeting between Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

Mr Clegg's team then talked through options with Lib Dem MPs, who urged them to continue to listen to Labour, while seeking further clarification from the Tories about key areas of policy.

Meanwhile Mr Cameron is meeting Conservative MPs and the Cabinet is meeting in Downing Street.

In his statement in Downing Street, Mr Brown said Britain had a "parliamentary and not presidential system" and said there was a "progressive majority" of voters.

He said if the national interest could be best served by a coalition between the Lib Dems and Labour - he said he would "discharge that duty to form that government".

But he added that no party had won an overall majority in the UK general election and, as Labour leader, he had to accept that as a judgement on him.

"I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.

"I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference.

"I will play no part in that contest, I will back no individual candidate."

Formal process

Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg had requested formal negotiations with Labour and it was "sensible and in the national interest" to respond positively to the request, Mr Brown said.

He said a "formal policy negotiation process" would be established.

It emerged earlier that the Lib Dem negotiating team, who have held days of talks with the Conservatives, had also met senior Labour figures in private.

The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said one of the stumbling blocks to any Lib Dem-Labour deal had been Mr Brown himself.

John Mann, the first Labour MP to call for him to go after the election result, said Mr Brown had made a "wise and brave" decision.

And the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson said it was "inevitable" Mr Brown would have to go and he had "done the right thing". He said he believed a "progressive alliance" involving Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP which would "deliver the best result for the people of Scotland".

No majority

But Conservative MP Nigel Evans told the BBC: "The fact he's going in September, I think the country passed its verdict. Gordon, they want you to go now."

And fellow Conservative Richard Ottaway said the "numbers don't add up" for Labour and the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition.

"A Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition is only a handful more than the Conservative Party on its own and it would not be able to hold the line on this for very long," he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme.

The Tories secured 306 of the 649 constituencies contested on 6 May. It leaves the party short of the 326 MPs needed for an outright majority, with the Thirsk and Malton seat - where the election was postponed after the death of a candidate - still to vote.

Labour finished with 258 MPs, down 91, the Lib Dems 57, down five, and other parties 28.

If Labour and the Lib Dems joined forces, they would still not have an overall majority.

With the support of the Northern Irish SDLP, one Alliance MP, and nationalists from Scotland and Wales they would reach 328, rising to 338 if the DUP, the independent unionist and the new Green MP joined them.


Source: BBC

Aboakyer clash, ten injured

A durbar to climax this year's Annual Aboakyer festival by the chiefs and people of the Effutu Traditional Area could not take place due to insecurity and the mounting tension in the Municipality.

The Omanhene of the Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, made this known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Winneba on Saturday.

According to him as at 0700 hours on Saturday, the two Asafo Companies Tuafo and Dentisfo No. 2 had still not gone to the bush to capture the live deer, for fear of being attacked, following a clash between the two on Friday evening in which about ten people were injured.

He said he would not comment on the situation now but described it as unfortunate and appealed to his people to remain calm to avoid loosing more lives and the destruction of properties.

Meanwhile, a number of police personnel, armed with anti-rioting gadgets are patrolling the Municipality to prevent further rioting.

As at 1030 hours on Saturday when the GNA visited the durbar ground, there were a handful of people at the place.

According to the Winneba Police, those injured were treated and discharged at the Winneba Government Hospital.

The police said the Tuafo No. one and Dentsifo No. 2 Asafo Companies clashed at Ntwatanan and threw missiles and other offensive objects at each other on Friday evening, resulting in the injuries, and that four people have been arrested to help in the investigations.

People who travelled to Winneba to watch the festival have expressed their disappointment at the situation. A few of them told the GNA that the confusion and the troubles that have marred the celebration, were as a result of chieftaincy disputes.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephraim, who is also the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council, told the GNA on phone that "he was at an emergency security meeting and therefore would not be able to comment on the situation".


Source: GNA

POLITICS- Osafo-Maafo: NPP Should Learn From NDC

Osafo Marfo A former Minister of Finance and a member of Nana Akufo-Addo’s Victory 2012 campaign team, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has urged delegates of the New Patriotic Party to take one big lesson from the National Democratic Congress – unity for victory. Speaking to delegates at Agona Nwkanta on the second day of Akufo-Addo’s Western Regional tour, Mr. Osafo-Maafo used the opportunity to plead with all the 115,000 delegates who will vote on August 7 for the 2012 NPP Presidential Candidate to vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo “to send a clear message to the country that the NPP is not divided.” Mr. Osafo-Maafo said “the unity of the NPP must be clear to everybody after all the votes are counted and the winner declared. August 7 is the ultimate test of the unity that you and I know exists within our party.” The NPP should not joke with this, he warned. “If there’s one thing that we should learn from 2008 then it is that unity is the basis for victory. Any victory on August 7 that is not landslide would not help our party. We need to show with all our votes that the party is solidly behind Nana Akufo-Addo,” he said to large cheers from the Ahanta West constituency delegates. “The NDC did so on December 21, 2006,” Mr Osafo-Maafo pointed to a recent experience from their arch rivals from which his party should, nevertheless, learn. “There were four people competing, including the younger and taller Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Eddie Annan and Mahama Iddrisu. Prof. Mills got 1,362 out of the 1,673 valid votes cast.” Unlike in 2007 when 17 people contested, not more than 5 candidates will be on the NPP ballot paper on August 7, offering the party a platform for a massive endorsement of the winner. Having caught the fullest attention of the NPP delegates gathered, Mr Osafo-Maafo continued, “81.4% of NDC delegates voted for Prof Mills. His closes rival, Dr. Spio-Garbrah managed only 146 votes, 8.7%.” It is recalled that leading to the 2006 NDC primary, media reports gave the impression that it was going to be a close contest between the two frontrunners with some even calling it for Dr. Spio-Garbrah. Mr Osafo-Maafo reminded NPP delegates that all this happened after the problems of the previous year which saw the former NDC National Chairman, Dr. Obed Asamaoh and others, splitting from the NDC to form the Democratic Front Party. “The 81.4% endorsement gave Mills the unified force and the moral authority with which to mobilise the NDC to fight the ruling NPP for victory in 2008. He showed that his party was solidly behind him then and we all saw the ruthless and painful effect of that in December 2008,” Mr Osafo-Maafo recalled. “On August 7 let us send an even clearer message to the whole of Ghana that the NPP is indeed a united force, ready and deserving of power to serve the people of Ghana.” He added, “A massive vote for Nana Akufo-Addo on August 7 will silence our critics, motivate our supporters and make us more attractive to undecided voters,” he said. The former Finance Minister, who contested in the 2007 NPP presidential primary, gave first-hand testimony that Akufo-Addo is the candidate NPP delegates know they can trust on the important issue of unity. “Nana has shown with consistency clear evidence from 1992 about his commitment and loyalty to party unity. He does not just talk the talk he walks the desire, too,” Mr. Osafo-Maafo stressed. He said further, Akufo-Addo came second to Mr. J A Kufuor in 1998 but got solidly behind Kufuor, went around the country pleading with his supporters to do the same and campaigned with Mr. Kufuor for that famous victory in 2000. Again, Akufo-Addo more than showed in 2008 that he is committed to the party’s unity by inviting all the 16 people who competed against him to be part of his campaign committee. A move which some have even criticised him for. Earlier in the Western Region, NPP MPs continued with their wholesale endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, MP for Sekondi, former presidential aspirant in 2007 and former Attorney-General gave his unflinching support to Akufo-Addo and asked his constituency delegates to do the same. The MP for Amenfi East and former Western Regional Minister, Boahen Aidoo also endorsed Nana Akufo-Addo and has been travelling with Nana Akufo-Addo urging all constituencies to support the 2008 flagbearer, who is now nicknamed, Nana Ababio, for coming again to ask for their votes for another shot at the presidency. The Victory2012 team left Ahanta West for Effia Kwesimintsim, Essikado Ketan and Tarkoradi. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana