Ghana News
Friday, 09 May
Thursday, 08 May
Frenchman Claude Le Roy has given no reasons for his decision not to extend his contract with the Black Stars.
Le Roy turned down a two-year offer to continue as coach of Ghana on Thursdays.
He said he'd had "two good years" managing the Black Stars and when asked why he'd decided to move on he commented: "A number of things, after a certain time you begin to see the other's faults."
The Frenchman, who led Ghana to third in the 2008 African Nations Cup held on home turf, was offered a new deal to try and qualify the west African nation for the 2010 World Cup.
But he said: "They offered me a new contract but I think it's the end of a chapter.
"I think I've given everything that I could give. I think it's for the best."
Le Roy, who claims he has nothing concrete on the horizon, even though he has been linked with the Ivory Coast job added: "Everyone thought I'd signed for another two years but no, the federation made me an offer, that's all."
Accra, May 9, GNA - Hundreds of football fans engaged on a 'Memorial Walk' through the principal streets of Accra on Friday to mark the seventh anniversary of the May 9 stadium disaster.
The Walk, an initiative of Herbert Mensah, former Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko commenced at the Nima Police Station through some principal streets of Accra and terminated at the Ohene Djan Stadium where a statue has been erected in memory of the dead football fans. Mr. Mensah who was chairman of the Kokoko at the time of the disaster, evoked the painful event that claimed 126 lives and left many others injured shortly after a mid-week league match involving rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Stadium. He said it was regrettable that a game that willed a strong unifying force claimed lives and left a scare in the heart of a soccer loving nation like Ghana.
The former Chairman accentuated the need for a collective responsibility by all to ensure such an episode never reoccurs. Mr. Mensah stated that he was convinced that laying vast emphasis on security at the stadia remains a sure way of averting another disaster. Charles Aryeh, Chief Administrator Officer (CAO) of the National Sports Council (NSC) in a message read on behalf on the Minister of Education, Science and Sports said fans had learnt their lessons from the calamity which rocked Ghana football in 2001.
He acknowledged the current improved behaviour of fans while commending club managers and their officials for their public education and outreach efforts.
Mr. Aryeh said the National Sports Council will ensure an enabling environment for the promotion and enhancement of sports business and sports tourism as well as the absolute safety of those who patronize sporting activities.
Representatives of the two Clubs read brief speeches after the Walk that drew personalities including Tony Baffoe, former member of Ghana's Black Stars and former Kotoko and Hearts German coach Ernst Middendorp into the frail. Mr. Mensah donated 100 bags of rice and 20 gallons of oil to the families of the bereaved.
Agogo-Ashanti, May 9, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning was on Thursday re-elected New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Asante Akim North Constituency in Election 2008.
Mr Baah-Wiredu incumbent Member of Parliament, polled 90 votes as against 58 by Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, his opponent at the constituency primaries held at Agogo-Ashanti.
The election characterized by tension and anxiety among supporters of the candidates was held under tight security following a demonstration against the venue by some party sympathisers on the eve of the election.
Mr Mensah Bonsu, Asante Akim North Municipal Electoral Officer, who declared the results was greeted with jubilation by supporters of Mr Baah-Wiredu.
Mr Baah-Wiredu who has represented the constituency since 1996 expressed appreciation to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, saying, it confirmed his excellent track record over the years. He called for unity among the supporters to ensure victory in December.
Mr Appiah Kubi pledged his support to Mr Baah-Wiredu's campaign. Nana Adu Asabre, Asante Akim North Constituency Chairman of the Party, called for unity among the supporters.
In another development, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of State in charge of Finance and Economic Planning and Member of Parliament for Old-Tafo Constituency has been re-elected unopposed as NPP Parliamentary Candidate.
The election supervised by officials of Electoral Commission informed the delegates that another contestant Mr Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, a Kumasi-based Legal Practitioner withdrew to make Dr Osei the sole candidate.
Dr Osei said the acclamation symbolized the resolve by the delegates and supporters to unite and forge ahead to ensure victory. He pledged to serve them to ensure accelerated growth and development of the constituency.
Mr Robert Owusu Amankwaah, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party, expressed appreciation to the delegates for the confidence reposed in Dr Osei.
Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko CEO, Mr. Herbert Mensah, leads football fans, officials of Accra Hearts of Oak and Kotoko, and family members of victims of the May 9 tragedy on a peace walk today to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the darkest day in Ghana football that resulted in the death of 126 soccer fans at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
The May 9 memorial peace walk commences this morning at 6.00 am from the Nima Police Station to the Ohene Djan Stadium for a short memorial ceremony in front of the May 9 monument at the stadium's main entrance.
Officials of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, National Sports Council CEO, Mr Ernest Prince Oduro-Mensah, and representatives of the clubs will give addresses during the ceremony at the May 9 cenotaph. After the walk and memorial, there will be Moslem prayers at the Central Mosque at Abossey Okai later in the afternoon (1.00 PM).
The horrifying scenes of May 9, 2001, during an ill-tempered league match between the nation's two leading clubs took place during Mr Mensah's tenure as Kotoko boss, and he was personally involved in evacuating the injured and dead from the horror stair wells of the stadium to the hospital after the stampede.
Even after his exit, Mr Mensah has taken time each year to mourn with some of the bereaved families, a personal crusade that saw him paying an emotional visit last Friday to families of the victims in Kumasi. Accompanied by a director of Hearts, Alhaji Sulemana Braimah (Alhaji Hearts), Mr Mensah used the occasion of the visit to donate food items and an unspecified amount of money to the families after which they joined Moslems at the Kumasi Central Mosque for prayers.
Mr Mensah, who is currently the Managing Consultant for Prosport Ghana, told the Daily Graphic that he has never forgotten the horror images that greeted him on that fateful day, and his involvement in the memorial is to ensure the memories of the victims are not forgotten as Ghanaians take steps to prevent a recurrence of that tragedy.
From May 29th to June 9th, the 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghana’s ruling political Party, will make a historic visit to five North American cities—Toronto, New York, Washington, D.C, Chicago and Los Angeles This will be Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo’s first tour of North America since he secured the Party’s nomination as its Flag Bearer on December 23, 2007 at the NPP Congress in Accra. As a founding member of the NPP, his slogan for the Party’s primary “Ye nim wo firi tete” (We have known you for a very long time) struck a cord with the voting delegates.
In addition to serving for eleven years as a Member of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo also served under Ghana’s current government for two years as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and for four years as the Foreign Affairs Minister. He has played many leadership roles on the international stage; most recently as the Chairperson of the United Nations Security Council and Chairman of the Executive Council of the African Union.
Mr Kofi A. Boateng, the Chairman of NPP-USA describes the purpose of Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo’s trip as “ This is a golden moment for us to achieve two goals – expose the 2008 NPP Presidential Candidate to as many Ghanaians as possible who will in turn influence votes for NPP in Ghana; and raise the profile of NPP in the USA and Canada with regards to our ability to assist massively in all respects in the 2008 elections to ensure a resounding victory for NPP led by Nana Akufo- Addo”
Each of the cities Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo is scheduled to visit boasts a large population of Ghanaians. In response to the high level of excitement and anticipation, numerous public activities have been scheduled which will enable Ghanaians to meet and interact with the 2008 NPP Presidential Candidate.
DATE: Thurs., May 29th
TIME: 8.30 – 10.30 pm
EVENT: Community Welcome Forum Ghana Presby. Church,
VENUE: Hwy 400/ Finch Ave. Toronto, Canada
DATE: Fri., May 30th
TIME: 8.30 –10.30 am
EVENT: Meet-and-Greet Breakfast
VENUE: Days Inn 1677 Wilson Avenue Toronto, Canada
DATE: Fri. May 30th
TIME: 8.30pm –midnight
EVENT: Community Event
VENUE:Days Inn 1677 Wilson Avenue Toronto
DATE: Sat., May 31st
TIME: 8.00 pm – 1.00 am
EVENT: Community Event
VENUE: Hotel Pennsylvania 401 7th Ave. (@ 34th Ave, Opp. Madison Square Garden New York, New York
DATE:Sun., June 1st
TIME: 12.00pm – 3.00pm
EVENT: Meeting with NPP members
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Sun., June 1st
TIME: 5.00pm – 9.00pm
EVENT: Special Event
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Tues., June 3rd
TIME: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
EVENT: Special Dinner
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Wed., June 4th
TIME: 6.00pm –9.00pm
EVENT: Community Forum
VENUE: Comfort Inn 6560 Loisdale Court Springfield, Virginia
DATE: Thurs., June 5th
TIME: 6.00pm to 9.00pm
EVENT: Special Reception
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Fri., June 6th
TIME: 12.00 pm –2.00 pm
EVENT: Special Luncheon
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Fri., June 6th
TIME: 7.00 pm –10.00pm
EVENT: Community Forum
VENUE: Four Point Sheraton 7353 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, Illinois
DATE: Fri., June 6th
TIME: 10.00 pm –2.00 am
EVENT: Dance
VENUE: Bolingbrook Golf Course 2001 Rodeo Drive Bolingbrook, Illinois
DATE: Sat. June 7th
TIME: 8.00 pm – Midnight
EVENT: Community Event
VENUE: Hilton, Los Angeles Airport 5711 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California
DATE: Sun., June 8th
TIME: 2.00 pm –5.00pm
EVENT: Special Luncheon
VENUE: Call contact for details
DATE: Mon., June 9th
TIME: 12.00 pm –3.00 pm
EVENT: Special Luncheon
VENUE: Call contact for details
Ada, May 9, GNA - The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, an advocacy group fighting for improved livelihoods for farmers, said the global food crisis should serve as a wake-up call to government to create the necessary environment for growth and development of the agriculture sector to ensure national food security.
Mr. Mohammed Adam Nashiru, President of the Association, said although the country was yet to face any food crisis, government needed to take immediate measures to enhance food production if the country was to avert one.
He was speaking at a community durbar at Ada to explain the aims and objectives of the Association to farmers. Mr. Nashiru said the time had come for government to muster the political will to formulate good agricultural policies or implement existing ones that would improve farmers' production and protect their markets.
Besides such policies, it must also encourage value addition, allow subsidies on agricultural inputs and provide access to credit for farmers on flexible payment terms.
He said high costs of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and farm labour was leading to a reduction in production and government could help reverse the situation by fully or partially absorbing some input costs.
To reduce the reliance on rain-fed agriculture, Mr. Nashiru called for the rehabilitation and expansion of existing irrigation projects as well as the building of new ones to encourage all year round production. There is also the need to re-establish the Food Distribution Company to serve as market outlets for produce. Mr. Nashiru urged farmers to support the Association in its campaign efforts to ensure that government promulgate better policies for the agriculture sector to improve livelihoods, food security and poverty reduction.
He made it clear to the farmers that the Association was not into service delivery, but into advocacy campaign on issues of trade, agricultural financing and others that would give a better meaning to the efforts of Ghanaian farmers. A cross-section of farmers who spoke at the durbar said access to credit and markets for their produce were major challenges that they face in their production.
Bawku (U/E), May 9, GNA - The Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and his Elders, on Thursday appealed to the Government to state its official position on the Bawku conflict in order to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the area.
The Paramount Chief and his Elders made the appeal at a press conference held in Bawku, Upper East Region.
He expressed worry about the conflict and the embarrassment it was causing to the Region and Ghana as whole and appealed to the people in the area, especially those who were fuelling the conflict to desist from that to pave way for development.
He stressed that, unless the Government came out to clearly state its stand on the conflict and resolved it once and for all, the conflict would continue to resurface.
The Paramount Chief explained that as at the time Government and other stakeholders were making progress towards the restoration of normalcy in Bawku, some people had intervened once more to create further confusion.
Naba Azoka II indicated that the major issue that engaged the two feuding ethnic groups some time ago was on chieftaincy but the "laws of the land" came out to resolve the issue and to put the matter to rest. "Therefore if there are persons today who are refusing to accept decision arrived at through the due process of law then whose decision do they want to accept?" He questioned.
He appealed to the Government to also deal firmly with those supporting, misleading or encouraging the acts of conflicts in the area to serve as deterrent to others.
Naba Azoka II stressed that patience had its limit and he and his Elders would not continue to allow things to go bad in the area as a result of frivolous conflicts, hampering development and warned the trouble makers to desist from their activities or he and his Elders would advised themselves.
Meanwhile, the Bawku Township seemed to be returning to normalcy as people, especially traders were going on with their normal business as result of the review of the curfew from 0700 hours (7 am) to 1500 hours (3 pm).
Ajumako (C/R), May 9. GNA- An Ajumako district magistrate'S court on Thursday remanded a 28-year-old farm labourer into prison custody for raping 16-year-old pregnant girl at Nkatiem near Sunkwa in the Ajumako -Enyan-Essiam district.
The plea of the accused person, Abdulai Ali was not taken and the court, presided over by Mr. Kwasi Boakye Enimil ordered him to re-appear on May 22 2008.
Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector, Maxwell Emmanuel Akorley told the court that on May 2, Ali lured the victim to the outskirt of Nkatiem and defiled her despite her condition.
He said the girl reported her ordeal to her parents on reaching home and they reported the matter to the police. Ali was the arrested and put before court.
Nsawam, May 9, GNA - The Nsawam circuit court on Thursday slapped a five-year jailed sentence on Evis Dankwah, 45, alias Yopoo, evangelist of Halleluyah Church in Kumasi for stealing a generator and a sound system valued at 4,500 Ghana cedis. Dankwah pleaded guilty.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Alex Cosmos told the crowded court, presided over by Mrs. Elizabeth Ankumah that during the month of February 2007, Evangelist Dankwah went to Adeiso in the Eastern Region and hired the instrument for a day's crusade from Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, a businessman, who is the complainant.
Inspector Cosmos said during the crusade there was electricity outage and the accused went and hired a generator also from the same complainant and convinced him to leave the items under his (accused) care to come for them the next day.
The prosecutor said when the complainant returned the next day, the accused was nowhere to be found and the instruments and the generator were also not there.
Upon a tip-off, the police located the accused at the Juaso Police Station in Kumasi, Ashanti Region where he was under arrest for committing a similar offence.
Accra, May 9, GNA - The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is hosting a programme dubbed; "Evening Encounter" to provide the platform to presidential candidates of four political parties with representation in parliament to educate the electorate on their vision and plans. The programme, which is collaboration between the IEA and Joy FM, an Accra-based private radio station, is also to give the candidates the opportunity to provide strategies on how they intend to govern the country and answer questions from the electorate.
The IEA said in a statement in Accra on Friday that the first "Encounter" would be with Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People's Party at Alisa Hotel on May 14.
Other presidential candidates expected are Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party and Dr Edward Mahama of the People's National Convention.
The IEA said the programme was for presidential candidates and "no substitute would be allowed to speak or make a presentation on behalf of a flag bearer".
"In the event that an aspirant is unable to make it, the Institute must be informed at least 96 hours before the said date of any change in date. A new date should be provided."
An IEA document said the "Encounter" would also enable "the electorate to discern what each candidate stands for, what each aspirant intends to do and the direction in which each aspirant intends to take Ghana". It said the programme would also serve as a way of ensuring that the electorate took ownership of the electoral process and provided a forum for accountability from the candidates even before they became president.
The programme, which would be covered live by radio and television, would be viewed by over 12 million people in and out of Ghana and would provide a fair access to the media by the candidates.
"It is the hope of the IEA that this "Encounter" will divert political discourse from one of acrimony and personality attacks to an issue-based debate.
"The electorate would be enabled through the "Encounter" to debate, analyse and critique the various aspirants to determine how realistic these plans are. This would deepen and promote multiparty democracy and good governance."
Under the ground rules, there would be a welcoming address by the IEA after which the political party would be allowed five minutes to introduce its candidate who would be granted 30 minutes to make a presentation.
The candidate will then be asked three questions by the moderator to open up the discussion segment after which invited guests would be given the opportunity to ask questions based on the presentation.
Accra, May 9, GNA - As part of its role within the UN agencies to support government to mobilise the required resources to carry out census, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Friday presented 20 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accessories to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to help in its cartographic work in the 2010 census.
The equipment, used to pick localities, hospitals, communities, boreholes, among other things, is needed for effective and viable census.
It is also to help produce benchmark data that are essential for measuring achievement not only for the MDGs, but also government policies, programmes and priorities as contained in the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and other development frameworks. According to the UNFPA Representative, Mr. Makane Kane, the Fund supported countries which used population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy was wanted, every birth was safe, very person was free of HIV/AIDS and every girl and woman was treated with dignity and respect.
He said the cartographic work was one of the activities agreed upon with the GSS, adding that, strict adherence to the schedule was mandatory to successfully carry out the Ghana 2010 population and housing census. Government Statistician, Dr. Grace Bediako, expressed appreciation to the UNFPA for the assistance and noted that it would make the work of the GSS easier, especially in the collection of data from hard to reach areas. With the state of the art equipment the 2010 census can take off on a sound footing, she added.
Accra, May 9, GNA- The Korean government and the Ministry of Health on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the take-off of the "Support for Mother and Child Health Care" in the Eastern Region. The two-year project, which has received a grant of two million dollars from the Korean government will have Kwahu West, Upper Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo as the beneficiaries under the Community Health Implementation Programme Services (CHIPS.
The project package will comprise furnishing of medical equipment and materials, technical assistance and training programmes in Korea to improve maternity health care in Ghana. Mr Hae_Kwan Chung, Deputy Head of Mission of the Korean Embassy, Ghana, the main Overseas Development Agency partner in Africa said the Korean government was considering additional projects in the health sector and city development.
He noted that Korea would this year initiate additional two more multi-million dollar projects in education and knowledge sharing programmes, which would be in cooperation with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on the issue of effective industrialization and export promotion by the private sector.
"Korea is providing West African Power Pool of which Ghana is a key member with feasibility study and basic design of the control centre, which amounts 2.5 million dollars."
He explained that the Korean government has started "E-Consul and E-government project" in Ghana to enhance the government's administrative efficiency and effectiveness by promoting information technology system.
As part of Korea's technical cooperation programme Korean government will invite 30 Ghanaians mainly engineers and researchers for training courses in Korea annually and that he explained was aimed at sharing the know-how and experience Korea had gained through one of the fastest economic and social development processes. Lepuwura M.N.D. Jawula, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health who signed on behalf of government commended Korean government and assured them that the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning would ensure that the counterpart programme was fulfilled. He said maternal and child health were very crucial on government's agenda since the survival of life depended on those areas and urged Ghanaians to take the registration of the National Health Insurance Scheme very serious and register in their various communities so that they could benefit from the package.
Anyinesin (E/R), May 9, GNA - Mr Joseph Boakye Dankwa-Adu, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, on Friday failed to win the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary.
He polled 31 votes as against 35 votes polled by the winner, Professor Samuel Kwadwo Amoako.
Prof. Amoako, lecturer at Laguadia University in the US, is the founder of the Friends of Nana Akufo Addo (FONA) in the constituency and is an active member of the campaign team of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of NPP.
Prof Amoako, who lost to Mr Dankwa-Adu in 2004, invited Mr Dankwa-Adu to join his campaign to ensure that the party wins the constituency and the presidential election.
Earlier, he had promised the delegates that if elected as the MP for the constituency, he would help rehabilitate the Tafo market to rake in more revenue for the area and prepare the ground for the constituency to be turned into a District. Prof. Amoako also promised to help turn the Bunso Cocoa College and the Tafo Cocoa Research Institute into a University College for Cocoa.
Apam (C/R), May 9, GNA - The Magistrate Court at Apam has placed an interim injunction on a meeting to acclaim Mr. Joe Kingsley Hackman as the parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Gomoa West.
The meeting, which was to take place at Gomoa Ankamu near Apam on Friday, May 9, was called off at the eleventh hour due to the exparte motion.
Mr. Ishmael Kofi Turkson, Agona Swedru-based lawyer, filed the motion on behalf of Mr Benjamin Nabra Tawiah of Apam, Mr Isaac Eduful of Gomoa Kyiren and Mr. Enoch Sey of Gomoa Assin, all NPP polling station chairmen.
According to the motion, the plaintiffs were praying the court to compel the respondents, the Central Regional NPP executives, the Gomoa West Constituency executives and the Gomoa District Electoral Officer, to abide by the party's constitution in electing a parliamentary candidate.
The plaintiffs were of the view that since another aspirant was contesting the seat with Mr. Hackman, the MP, the party's constitution called for primaries but not acclamation.
Throwing more light on their action in an interview, Mr. Tawiah said they took the action to prevent a break in the front of the party since the unconstitutional stand of the executives could make the other aspirant to contest the seat as independent candidates.
Mr. Tawiah said they were disappointed about the double standard attitude of the Regional Executives who made some MPs who are ministers to go through the primaries but are refusing to allow Mr. Hackman to do the same.
He mentioned Professor Dominic Fobih, Mr. Samuel Owusu-Adjei, and Mr. Samuel Obodai as some of the ministers and MPs in the region who went through primaries.
"We want to know what makes Mr. Hackman special MP who must not go through primaries,?" he asked, and added that "what is good for the goose is also good for the gander."
A new agreement signed between the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Ghana aims to boost the West African nation's economic development and bolster its standing with the international business community.
WIPO Director General Dr. Kamil Idris welcomed the development, saying it "marked a new chapter" in the agency's cooperation with Ghana. The Intellectual Property Development Plan "offered a comprehensive and coherent approach to establishing a robust intellectual property framework that will support the country's development objectives," he added.
The Plan is "timely as Ghana is at the dawn of its economic take-off," the country's Attorney General and Justice Minister, Joe Ghartey, said following the signing. He added that progress in administrative reform "was boosting his country's standing within the international business community."
The Development Plan seeks to establish a better system for users of intellectual property rights - such as universities, small- and medium-sized enterprises, chambers of commerce and industry, research and development institutions, the judiciary, and copyright organizations - and aims to make sure they have the technical capacity to use the system.
It also promotes the development of creative industries, electronic commerce and agriculture.
Koforidua, May 09, GNA - Representatives of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the Eastern Region have expressed doubts over benefiting from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Project being launched by the government.
This came to light at the Eastern Regional launching of the MSME Project, which is expected to provide essential financial and technical support to enhance MSME development in the country in Koforidua on Thursday.
The project, which is to provide a comprehensive range of integrated interventions designed to benefit firms, business associations, financial institutions and business service providers was initiated by the government and was being financed by the World Bank and the government.
Speaking at an open forum, Nana Akrasi, Secretary to the Koforidua Market Traders Association said a little over a year now, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development (PSD) and the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) launched the Micro Assistance and Small Loan Scheme (MASLOC) for the same purpose but up till now, members of his association had not benefited from the scheme.
He said, his members had complied with all the requirements of the scheme yet anytime they went to the offices of MASLOC they were told different stories and urged the representatives of the Minister of Trade to inform the Minister that Traders in Koforidua were not benefiting from the scheme and all other similar schemes established to support the private sector.
Mrs. Gladys Ansah, Chairman of the New Juaben Municipal branch of the Tailors and Dressmakers Association of Ghana said out of the 85 tailors and dressmakers who graduated in the Municipality last year, only five had been able to get a place to work.
She said the rest could not either get places in the Municipality to set up their business or the financial resources to start and efforts to get support under the MASLOG or the Social Investment Fund (SIF) all established by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, PSD and PSI had failed.
Pushed to the wall, Mr. David Oppong, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist on the MSME Project explained that the project is different from MASLOG, SIF and the Venture Capital projects though all were initiated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, PSD and the PSI. He explained that, the trust of the MSME project was to help solve all the major challenges facing the micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the country to help them grow, be internationally competitive and efficient to be able to provide employment for the youth.
Odefour Boadi Asiedu, Koforidua Adahene and Presiding Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, who chaired the launching, called on the drafters of the MSME Project to decentralize the project. He said the project seemed to be over concentrated in Tema and there was the need for the project to be decentralized to the regions to enable the regions to benefit.
Accra, May 9, GNA - MTN, one of four mobile networks in the country, has introduced a new service, the SIM Swap Kit, under which customers would replace lost, stolen or faulty SIM cards without physically going to an MTN office.
A statement issued in Accra on Friday said the service was targeted at pay-as-you-go subscribers. It said MTN subscribers who wanted to replace a card should purchase a blank SIM card from any MTN retail outlets, call the MTN call centre on toll free 111 or 0244300000 to answer questions to confirm the ownership of their number.
"Once ownership is established, the subscriber's number will be reactivated on the new SIM card within a period of 24 hours." The statement quoted Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, as saying this would create a convenient way of changing one's SIM card and customers were free to exercise the option of visiting the customer care centre to seek support for any issue. 9 May 08
Takoradi, May 9, GNA- The Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP), last year produced 84,409 metric tonnes of palm fruits recording a decline of three per cent over the previous year's production.
This was as the result of adverse weather conditions and intensified activities of competitors in the purchase of fruits from out-growers. These were contained in a report presented by Mr Ishmael E. Yamson, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Company, at the annual general meeting of share holders of the BOPP at Takoradi on Friday. He said production of crude palm oil also declined by 6.5 per cent thus 15,406 metric tonnes compared with the previous year's production. Mr. Yamson said despite these developments, revenue to the company increased by 44 per cent due to high palm oil prices.
He said the company registered a profit of 1.8 million Ghana cedis last year as compared to 1.23 million Ghana cedis in 2006. Mr. Yamson said the World market price of crude palm oil went up from an average of 459 US dollars in 2006 to average of 754 US dollars in 2007.
He said 521,500 Ghana cedis had been declared as dividend during the year under review and dividend per share was 0.0150 Ghana cedis. Mr Yamson said the company improved education, health and sanitation in Daboase, Benso, Adum Banso and Dominase, communities in its areas of operation, as part of its social responsibility to the people.
Tarkwa (W/R), May 9, GNA- Stanbic Bank would soon introduce two new products for small scale entrepreneurs, market women and artisans nationwide.
The products "Woba Nti" and "Okyena Nti" are to assist small scale traders, artisans and others in the informal sector to invest in high yielding investment accounts towards their children's education at the tertiary level and the expansion of their businesses. Mr Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of the Bank, disclosed these to journalists at Tarkwa after opening another branch of the bank on Thursday.
He expressed worry that some people kept monies at their homes, stores and sheds and advised such persons to transact business with the banks. Mr Andani said some traders lost their capital through fire outbreaks while others remained in their small businesses.
Accra, May 9, GNA - Operators in the tourism industry on Friday agreed that there was the need to work together to improve standards in the industry.
Mr. Martin Mireku, Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, bemoaned the falling standards in the tourism industry and said: "Standards are falling even though prices of hotel rooms continue to go up."
He was speaking at a meeting between the Ghana Tourist Board and the Private Sector Trade Associations, including the Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Drinking Bars Association, Chop Bars Association, Chefs Association, Car Rentals Association, Tour Guides Association and West African Tourism Union.
Members emphasized the need for all those in the tourism industry to belong to the trade associations so that their activities could be streamlined and they could together work to improve the falling standards in the industry.
Mr. Kwaku Boateng, a tour guide, who shared experience bordering on the falling standards, said their work and services provided were sometimes embarrassingly below accepted standards. He said to remedy such embarrassing situations there was the need for operators to employ qualified staff who understood tourism and its effects on national development. Mr. Mireku announced that the board would start an enforcement exercise from June 1 and called on operators to comply with the standards of the Board. The exercise is to ensure quality control in the industry and Mr Mireku cautioned that, "come the first week of June those who do not want to belong to the industry should suspend their operations". "We do not want to use force to ensure quality control; if you cannot comply seek assistance from the board or suspend your operations."
He called for stronger collaboration between the private sector and public agencies to ensure that the industry grew as expected. Mr. Mireku commended the private sector for their efforts in helping to market Ghana abroad. He said the GTB, however, made progress in the other areas, including tourists' arrivals and revenue generated from these arrivals. Mr. Mireku introduced client services charters which spell out improved ways of relating to clients in the tourism industry and urged private operators to comply with them. Mr. Edwin Owusu-Mensah, Acting Deputy Executive Director, mentioned inadequate promotional materials in other languages other than English, inadequate promotional activities within the sub-region, inadequate logistics and lack of cooperation from some members of the private sector as some major challenges faced by the Board. He said most of the hotels and restaurants fell short of some basic requirements and services and emphasised the need for improved services.
Accra, May 9, GNA - A seminar that seeks to examine the prospect of a sustainable partnership between the tourism and the handcraft sector and how that could contribute to poverty alleviation in Africa would be held in Ghana from May 20 to 22, this year.
The seminar on the topic: "Tourism and Handcraft: two key economic sectors to contribute to poverty reduction in Africa," would bring together stakeholders in the two industries, including officials of Tourism Administration, Tour Operators, non governmental organizations and generally handcrafts related personnel and associations.
A statement signed by Mrs. Doris Yaa Yamoah, Public Relations officer at the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations said that the seminar was a follow -up to an earlier one held in Quagadougou, Burkina Faso, last year by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which offered participants in the two industries the opportunity to exchange experiences, ideas and provide guidance for technical aspects of tourism and handcrafts development in Africa. The statement said handcrafts and tourism had the potential to bring major social and economic benefits to Africa, fostering the continuity of local traditions and making significant contribution to UNWTO's goal of working towards poverty reduction in the region. Topics to be discussed will include: Tourism and handcrafts development in Africa, Handcraft marketing and distribution for tourism purposes, Product design, quality and labelling
Claude Le Roy will end his two-year spell with the Black Stars on May 30 following the Ghana Football Association’s decision to abrogate the Frenchman’s contract.
A media statement was released by the Ghana Football Association today.The decision means the Le Roy would complete his job with Ghana, a month before the stipulated date, June 30.Claude Le Roy was named head coach of the senior national team, Black Stars in September 2006 after a the Football Association’s nine-member search committee set up to scout for a new coach settled on the 60 year-old.
From a tall list of 54 coaches who applied for the job, three applicants were short listed - Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Claude Le Roy and Phillippe Troussier. Le Roy, a former Nations Cup winner with Cameroon in 1988 came up tops ahead of the two.
His first game for the Black Stars came on October 4 when he lead the team to play two international friendly games in four days in Asia against Japan and later with South Korea on October 8.
Claude Le Roy’s guided Ghana to bronze at the 2008 African Nations Cup and is also the closing in a place in the finals of the maiden African Nations Championship, a competition fashioned for designed by CAF for players who play in the domestic leagues of its member associations.
Full text of the FA’s statement : ----------------------------------
ABROGATION OF CONTRACT BETWEEN THE GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION AND MR CLAUDE LE ROY
The Ghana Football Association has agreed to abrogate its contract with Mr. Claude Le Roy on 30th May 2008 instead of 30th June 2008.
Mr Le Roy cited personal reasons for his decision not to extend his contract for a further two years.
The GFA would announce soon a replacement for Mr. Le Roy to prepare the Black Stars for the World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifying matches. ghanafa.org
Ghana's main opposition leader John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday launched his party's campaign for the December 2008 election and a c cused President John Agyekum Kufuor of failing the people.
He said the Kufuor administration had used political power as "hammer and seeing others as nails, and whenever they had the opportunity they hit them on the hea d ".
Mills, vice president under former president Jerry John Rawlings, pointed out th at Kufuor had not fulfilled his campaign promises. He also outdoored John Draman i Mahma as his running mate.
Prof. Mills, who is leading the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said when el ected he would not regard it as a "Hollywood coronation".
"I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, and therefore, when I am electe d this year, I will not regard it as a Hollywood coronation, but as a God-given o pportunity to serve the people of Ghana," he said.
Mills said Kufuor had failed to improve salaries, create jobs and fight corrupti on as he promised in 2000. Prof. Atta Mills asked, "What happened to zero tolera n ce for corruption?"
"It is time for the comfort of leadership to be subordinated to the interest of the majority," he said, adding that the NDC would invest in people, create jobs,
expand infrastructure and run a "caring and transparent government."
The party, he said, would not allow Ghana to be made a "wholly owned subsidiary for drug barons".
Prof. Mills also promised that when he is elected as president, he will be "pres ident for all Ghanaians".
The New Patriotic Party has described the assertion by the National Democratic Congress that there was no need to compare the governance records of the NPP and the NDC as a clear acknowledgement that the NPP has a better record.
A statement signed by Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Chairman of the NPP's 2008 campaign committee, read in part, "at the launch of the NDC Campaign, John Dramani Mahama, the running mate of Professor Mills, asked Ghanaians to reject a comparison of records of the NPP and the (P)NDC in government as a basis for deciding which party to vote for. The big question is this: why is the NDC running away from their own record of performance? The NDC is rejecting comparison because they know it will show clearly that the NPP is by far the better choice.”
The statement continued: “...They reject comparison of records in government and equate that to mediocrity while offering no basis for the people of Ghana to pick the best option available to them. If the people cannot compare the records of our two parties in government, our vision and the competence of our leaders, what can they compare? They fear this comparison because it will expose their incompetence for all to see.
"In short, instead of holding themselves accountable for their deeds and misdeeds, they are asking the people of Ghana and God for forgiveness while insisting that they have no need to show remorse and repentance. It takes breathtaking audacity to present the NDC to Ghanaians as “new” even while touting the same old discredited policies and personalities of yesteryears. The akpeteshie bottle may be new but it still contains the same old hard and harsh liquor.”
Alluding to media reports that had foretold the outdooring of a new face for the NDC, the statement continued, "Today, the party that former PNDC Chairman Jerry John Rawlings conceived and created in his own image, the National Democratic Congress, carried out the most impressive exercise in political cosmetics ever witnessed in our history. They asserted their 'newness' without saying anything new or different.
Ahead of this exercise, the NDC spokespersons worked hard to create the impression that the NDC is no longer the party of its Founder, Rawlings. That assertion flies in the face of the NDC Constitution that asserts that the NDC is founded on the values and principles of President Rawlings.
"We wish the party well in its ultimately futile struggle to free itself from the clutches of Mr Rawlings, who will forever embody that party. It is ironic that this meeting designed to demonstrate unity in the ranks of the NDC was missed by the party’s founder, former President Rawlings. We are all well aware that this continues the charade of Prof Mills standing up to former President Rawlings."
NPP’S Initial Response To Statements Made By Ndc At Campaign Launch
7th May, 2008:- Today, at the launch of the NDC Campaign, John Dramani Mahama, the running mate of Professor Mills, asked Ghanaians to reject a comparison of records of the NPP and the (P)NDC in government as a basis for deciding which party to vote for. The big question is this: why is the NDC running away from its own record of performance? The NDC is rejecting comparison because they know it will show clearly that the NPP is by far the better choice.
Today, the party that former PNDC Chairman Jerry John Rawlings conceived and created in his own image, the National Democratic Congress, carried out the most impressive exercise in political cosmetics ever witnessed in our history. They asserted their ‘newness’ without saying anything new or different.
Ahead of this exercise, the NDC spokespersons worked hard to create the impression that the NDC is no longer the party of its Founder, Rawlings. That assertion flies in the face of the NDC Constitution that asserts that the NDC is founded on the values and principles of President Rawlings. We wish the party well in its ultimately futile struggle to free itself from the clutches of Mr Rawlings, who will forever embody that party. It is ironic that this meeting designed to demonstrate unity in the ranks of the NDC was missed by the party’s founder, former President Rawlings. We are all well aware that this continues the charade of Prof Mills standing up to former President Rawlings.
They introduced their Vice-Presidential nominee, John Mahama. We have previously congratulated Honourable John Mahama and welcomed him to the debate about the great issues confronting our country. He certainly has been greeted by his party with a level of enthusiasm normally reserved for the Presidential candidate. While some in his party, like the former first lady, Mrs Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings have concerns about his decisiveness as a leader, we shall focus, in this campaign, on his public roles as a Member of Parliament, Minister and member, together with Professor John Atta Mills, of our Economic Management team. Professor Mills and John Mahama were in charge when the NDC mismanaged our economy from 1997 to 2001. No amount of new packaging will change that old fact. Not even John Mahama’s claim that this period showed Prof Mills’ “sheer brilliance in finding imaginative solutions” can hide their collective incompetence and failure. In effect, he was promising Ghanaians more of the same if they were to return to power.
While, we accept that in nominal terms Ghana contracted a total international loan stock of US$10.004 billion between 1960 and 2000, the (P)NDC should also accept that US$8.108 billion of this was contracted under their rule; not to mention the amount of grants and receipts from divestiture of state-owned enterprises, including Ashanti Goldfieds.
Loans are as good as the use to which you put them to. In 2007 alone, the NPP government contracted US1.4 billion. US$750 million of this was from the international money market and US On their change in themes, it appears that the NDC is talking about newness while standing immovably by their old record of economic mismanagement and human rights abuses. They touted their left-of-centre credentials even while defending their vote against the National Health Insurance Scheme that stands between more than 9 million Ghanaians and the uncertainties of the“ CASH AND CARRY” system the NPP inherited. We were for NHIS because we are a compassionate party and they were against it because of political opportunism. Changing from “ I CARE FOR YOU” to something else will not add one more person to the rolls of the NHIS or help one more child to benefit from the SCHOOL FEEDING programme. Today Prof Mills accuses us of the politics of polarisation and of using power as a hammer when in fact; the (P) NDC has been the most polarising and vindictive administration in our history.
It was under the (P) NDC that the three judges of the High court and a retired Major were murdered and many journalists were jailed.
They promised to offer the right kind of leadership yet they failed this country with the same leadership they have repackaged and are offering to Ghanaians under the guise of newness.
They pledged to get to the bottom of chieftaincy disputes and conflicts and find lasting solutions when all they did was exacerbate these conflicts in their twenty years in government .
The party of Ms Cotton, SCANCEM and Gulfstream wondered what happened to “ zero-tolerance” when there have been the public procurement and financial management laws together with unprecedented timely, public hearings by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament under the NPP.
They pledged themselves to a CLEAN CAMPAIGN OF ISSUES even while their trashy tabloids engage in the politics of rumours and personal destruction. It would seem the old P)NDC habits of promising Ghanaians one thing while doing something else is still alive and well.
They cannot call for a clean campaign while engaged in dirty campaigning. Let their deeds match their fine words.
They reject comparison of records in government and equate that to mediocrity while offering no basis for the people of Ghana to pick the best option available to them. If the people cannot compare the records of our two parties in government, our vision and the competence of our leaders, what can they compare? They fear this comparison because it will expose their incompetence for all to see.
In short instead of holding themselves accountable for their deeds and misdeeds, they are asking the people of Ghana and God for forgiveness while insisting that they have no need to show remorse and repentance.
It takes breathtaking audacity to present the NDC to Ghanaians as “new” even while touting the same old discredited policies and personalities of yesteryears. The apketeshie bottle may be new but it still contains the same old hard and harsh liquor.
In a direct contradiction to the image of newness the NDC is trying to project, they ended on the theme of “ SANKOFA”, urging Ghanaians to go BACK to the NDC.
As a nation, we need to go forward, not sideways or backwards. Ye ko yenim!! Finally, while looking forward to an exciting campaign, we believe that whether they are led by John Rawlings the founder, John Mills the follower or John Mahama the saviour, their value is the same. The people of Ghana know a new party when they see it. This is no new party.
JAKE OTANKA OBETSEBI-LAMPTEY (CHAIR, NPP 2008 CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE)
Donald G. Teitelbaum, who has been the number two U.S. diplomat in South Africa, is in line to become ambassador to Ghana, replacing Pamela Bridgewater
The attention of the NPP 2008 Campaign has been drawn to a report on the above carried by “CHRONICLE” today.
Kindly permit me to correct some erroneous impressions created by your reporter. First, the campaign was not embarrassed in the least by the demonstration. As your reporter correctly indicated, the demonstration was neither inspired by nor targeted at Nana Addo and/or his entourage.
Second, the demonstration occurred between six and six-thirty in the morning, four clear hours before the campaign event and quite a distance from the venue of the campaign event JOHN BITTAR HALL. Thus the NPP Presidential candidate never witnessed the demonstration. There demonstration never threatened the campaign event.
Third, the demonstrators, who are members of the local Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), were protesting the introduction of METRO MASS BUSES into the area. They contend that while the buses will make transportation more available to the public and cheaper, it will take business away from them. Thus the demonstration was a very powerful unintended acknowledgement of the NPP government’s commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people.
Finally, the demonstrators showed up in significant numbers to hear Nana Addo speak and answer questions. When given an opportunity to ask a question, they declined on grounds that they already had a meeting scheduled with the Western regional administration which they were sure would address their concerns. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.
Signed:
ARTHUR KOBINA KENNEDY (CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE, 2008 NPP CAMPAIGN)
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Stephen Asamoah- Boateng, has noted that the election ahead of us should not be used to fabricate untruths about the state of the nation.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, on Tuesday this week, he made it known that the government, and the people of Ghana's achievements, should be made known to the public, since the achievement was not by accident.
According to him, when the government speaks of economic growth, it does not suggest the eradication of poverty, nor suggest that Ghana has the best economy in the world. "Development in Ghana has been an ongoing process, and there are many areas of national life that still need improvement," he added.
He mentioned that the increase in the public sector wages bill could not be attributed solely to union pressure, but also partly to the result of government's commitment to increasing public sector wages.
This, he said, was to serve as means of attracting and retaining more qualified professional into the sector.
Mr. Asamoah-Boateng indicated that in keeping with government's commitment to improve the welfare of farmers and fishing communities, government has stepped up enough investment in activities such as disease control, agricultural mechanization, provision of agricultural extension service, disease control, agricultural mechanization, and many other incentives.
Boasting about the achievements of the government, the Minister said by the close of December 2000, the total public debt to GDP ratio was 189%, but at the close of December 2007, the public debt had come down to 48%.
The Minister stressed that in spite of the unfovourable pressure, year-on-year inflation in Ghana, has dropped from the December 2000 figure of 40.50%, to 13.75% at the close of April 2008.
He continued that the government had successfully been able to re-denominate the currency peacefully, without any riots, as compared to what happened in the previous government.
In helping the financial issues of the public, he disclosed that the government would press on with the ongoing financial sector reforms.
"The licensing of credit reference agencies has started in accordance with the Credit Reporting Act. Soon, credit reporting would become an important part of banking," he added.
In a related development, the Minister for Aviation Ms. Gloria Akua Akuffo, has made it clear that it was the mandate of her ministry, to ensure maximum safety in the aviation industry of the country.
Speaking at the "Meet the Press" series in Accra, she said it was her determination "to make Ghana an aviation hub, and gateway to the West African sub-region, by the year 2015."
According to her, liberalizing the air transport regulatory framework, restructuring the existing institutional arrangements, increasing private sector investment in infrastructure and equipment, encouraging general aviation and support service, and developing the human resources and information technology, has always been the policies of the ministry.
According to Akuffo, the mission of the of the ministry was "to promote a competitive, efficient and cost-effective aviation sector, whist ensuring safety and security standards, as well as an orderly growth of air transport, to support social and economic development, whilst minimizing the negative impact on the environment."
She mentioned that granting approval for the licensing of air transport operations, except Air Travel Organizers License, and negotiating bilateral air service agreement with trading partners, were some of the ministry's main functions.
She also announced the rehabilitation of the Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi airports. According to her, the new VVIP lounge had been fully furnished in all the airports, and there has been provision of temporary aerodrome grounds lighting.
She indicated that though the ministry was pulling its weight, it had to go through the problem of inadequate funding, in terms of domestic airline, general aviation, infrastructure development, and budgetary allocation for the ministry.
The Minister pointed out the way forward, was enhancing commercial activities to increase revenue for development, seek donor support, increase budget allocation, increase in general aviation operations, and acquisition of aircrafts, as well as the certification of the Ghana International Airlines.
Accra, May 8, GNA - An argument ensued between a legal practitioner and a police officer at an Accra Circuit Court over a docket allegedly sent to the Attorney General Office for advice.
Mr Gabby Okyere-Darko, who represented Bawah Abdul Jalil, a Police Constable who is accused of stealing three AK 47 rifles and 20 rounds of ammunition with three others registered his displeasure over the delay in commencing the trial.
Jalil has pleaded not guilty and he is on a 1,500 Ghana cedis bail. Mr Okyere-Darko accused the police of shifting blame on the office of the Attorney General because his investigations revealed that the docket was not at the A-G's office.
Mr Okyere-Darko said he personally wrote to the office of the Attorney General on February 21, this year enquiring about a duplicate docket of his clients case but the response from the A-G on March 11, this year indicated that dockets was not there.
Subsequently, the A-G had asked the Criminal Investigation Department to forward the said docket to them.
Meanwhile a letter covering the forwarding of the docket was written on March 26, this year by the Police.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aidan Dery, the prosecutor in his response said it was not likely that the Police would call witnesses because the docket had been forwarded to the A-G office and until the Police receive response from the A-G they could do nothing about the case.
He said there were procedures in forwarding docket to the Attorney and the Police was following that.
The court on 24 April, this year, adjourned the matter for two weeks to enable the police to complete their investigations. The court indicated that it would discharge the accused on the next adjournment date if prosecution failed to make any progress.
The facts of the case are that Jalil is attached to Guard Duty Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Headquarters.
Prosecution said between March 26, 2007 and April 5, 2007 Jalil managed to acquire three sets of Police uniforms for suspects A Richard,
K. Boateng, P.K Godwin, all at large. Jalil led his three accomplices all dressed in Police uniforms to the Panthers Unit Armoury at the Police headquarters to give fake service numbers to the armourer and collected three AK 47 assault rifles and 20 rounds of ammunition and had their names booked in the station records. Prosecution said the three suspects went away with the rifles and uniforms and never returned. When the armourer detected the anomaly, he reported the incident and Jalil was arrested. Jalil has however failed to assist the Police to trace his accomplices and the three AK47 rifles.
Tema, May 8, GNA - Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, wife of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday said the party was building on the capacity of women to ensure effective campaign and ultimate victory come December. She therefore called on the women's wing of the party to forge ahead in unity for the common goal of the party.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo said this during a tour to introduce herself and her team including wives of former presidential candidates of the party to constituency executives within the Tema Municipality.
The first port of call on her eight-day working tour started at Tema West, East, Ashaiman and Kpone Katamanso where she and her team had a closed-door meeting with constituency executives before meeting the women's groups.
The enthusiastic crowd cheered the team with party songs and chanted slogans such as 'Na nana, na shiuwo', "Oson nie, nana nie" as a sign of their support for the party. She said the meeting would also afford them the opportunity to develop new strategies, both at the local and national levels, to bring every citizen on board and urged them to register to enable them to exercise their franchise.
Mrs Akufo-Addo said her husband would continue with the good policies of the Kufuor Administration when given the mandate in December and urged party faithful not to be swayed by certain comments meant to destroy the fabric of the party.