Ho, Oct. 22, GNA -Mr Pontius Pilate Baba Apaabey, Deputy Volta Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Monday commended political parties disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) from contesting the December Polls for exercising “moral tolerance” after their disqualifications.     “The decisions of the parties to engage the EC in further deliberations or resort to court actions are demonstrations of tolerance and confidence in the rule of law, which must be commended,” he said.        Mr Apaabey made the commendation at a Volta Regional Council of Labour Meeting in Ho.      He said tolerance is a powerful tool that ensures peaceful co-existence and praised the parties for not causing mayhem, irrespective of investments made towards contesting the elections.     Mr Apaabey said that show of tolerance should inspire political parties contesting the elections to abide by the electoral laws and allow the EC to carry out its constitutional duty.  “Nobody is born tolerant but we must all learn to be tolerant. If you are not satisfied with a development, you can go to the law court but not take to arms,” he stated.     Mr Apaabey advised any political party that emerged winner of the December Polls to restrain its excesses and accommodate the losers.     Togbe Adom Drayi II, Head of Organization Department of the Trade Union Congress Ghana (TUC-Ghana) called on Ghanaians to justify the European Union’s confidence in the country to organize credible and peaceful elections.     “Our expectation is that, all workers will go and vote and come back to work peacefully,” he said.     Togbe Drayi, who briefed workers on the Union’s last Congress, called for change of mind towards work to maximize productivity to justify the pay rise under the Single Spine Salary Structure.      Mr Elvis S. Van-Lare, Volta Regional Secretary of the TUC-Ghana described the labour front in the Region as relatively stable.     He appealed to the National Secretariat to increase logistics to the Region to make the district councils vibrant. GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Monday sentenced a mechanic,Kwasi Badu,who conspired with two others to rob one Helen Yeboah of her two mobile phones valued at GH₵ 900 and a cash of GH₵1, 400, to 60 years imprisonment for robbery.     The accused pleaded guilty to the offence.     However, two of his accomplices Godfred Obeng Darko and Nii Solomon Lamptey, who were charged for conspiracy, robbery and possession of firearms pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded into prison custody to re-appear on October 25, 2012.       Two other accomplices Emmanuel Hammond alias Dead body and one Kwasi Ato are at large.     The Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Patrick A. Morkeh said on December 13, 2011, the accused persons Kwasi Badu, Godfred Obeng Darko, Emmanuel Hammond and one Ato went on a robbery mission on the Odorkor Terrazzo road.     He said in the course of sharing their booty, a misunderstanding ensued between Darko and Hammond, leading to Darko shooting Hammond in the neck and chest.     He said the Police had a tipoff that the accused persons were hiding at a village called Buduatta in the Central Region and dispatched a team of Policemen to arrest the accused persons but they managed to escape through a window.     DSP Morkeh said on July1, 2012 Darko and Nii Solomon Lamptey were arrested from their hideout at Buduatta. A search in Darko’s room revealed a locally manufactured pistol and four cartridges.     He said Darko in his caution statement admitted the offence and mentioned Hammond, Ato and Badu as his accomplices.     He said Darko also revealed that he and his accomplices had been robbing people in Accra, Central Region, Volta Region, Tema and Takoradi.     DSP Morkeh also said Darko mentioned one Obour as the person who gave him the locally manufactured pistol but failed to lead the Police to arrest the said Obour.     On October 7, 2012 Kwasi Badu was also arrested from his hideout and charged with the offence.      GNA...

     Obuasi (Ash), Oct 22, GNA - Mr Johnny Owusu-Boadi, the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, has called on teachers to avoid allowing monetary gains to undermine their performance in the classroom.       Mr Owusu-Boadi, said it was important for “the teachers have to work hard for the progress of the pupils under their care”.       Opening a day’s orientation workshop for the newly posted teachers to the Municipality, Mr Owusu-Boadi said the Municipality had a track record to maintain in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).       At the event organized by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) with support of the Municipal Education Directorate (MED), he said “since 2004 except 2008, Obuasi had been first in the national ranking of the BECE and that you are here to work to maintain the first position and also improve the percentage score”.      The Municipal Director urged them to make judicious use of the pupils’ instructional hours saying the ban on the use of mobile phones during instructional hours in the Municipality was still in force.      He advised the new teachers not to rush into improving or upgrading their academic and professional qualification at the expense of the pupils.      Mr Emmanuel Kwame Boateng – Marfo, the Municipal GNAT Secretary, said from a humble beginning as an organization of mostly primary school teachers, the GNAT now had majority of teachers in the public and private educational institutions with an estimated strength of over 150,000.       He said the institution of in-service training for teachers and the creation of economic services such as teachers fund were some of the achievements of the Association.       Topics discussed at the workshop included the importance of GNAT the youth and GNAT, women’s desk, promotions and transfers in the teaching service.     GNA  ...

Takoradi, Oct, 22, GNA -- The MTN Ghana, on Monday organised a forum to educate members of the Ghana Hairdressers and Beautician Association (GHABA) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, on how to use modern information technology to enhance their businesses.     The participants were taught how to use the Internet to search for new hair styles, good customer service tips, data, MTN Foundation and mobile money.      The forum was instituted by the MTN early this year, for identifiable groups in the country.   The Senior Sales Manager for MTN in-charge of the Western and Central Regions, Mr. Samuel Appiah, assured subscribers that the company would continue to invest in advanced network infrastructure to boost its services.     He said that MTN would provide innovative telecommunication services to subscribers throughout the country.     Mr. Appiah said the network would continue to partner identifiable groups in the country to achieve mutual benefits.       He said the MTN had organised similar events in other regions to educate various groups on how to use modern information technology to improve their businesses.     The Western Regional President of GHABA, Mrs. Joyce Amemor,  commended the MTN for educating members on how to use information technology to enhance their work.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - DSP Gifty Mawuenyega Tehoda has filed two applications before the Human Rights Court seeking for enforcement of her human rights and an interim injunction against the Inspector General of Police over her dismissal.     Tehoda contends that her rights had been violated following her interdiction and subsequent dismissal. According to her, while the two actions were before the Human Rights Court, the Ghana Police Service served her with her dismissal letter thereby affecting the main action in court. Mr E.A Voduagbo, her counsel had told the court that following the latest development of her client dismissal, they would like to seek an adjournment to amend the two applications. Counsel further indicated that they intend challenging her dismissal and cited the Inspector General of Police with contempt.      The Ghana Police Service had set up a Service Inquiry to hear the case of DSP Tehoda even though her lawyers protested.      When DSP Tehoda asked that she should be allowed to look for a different lawyer to represent her at the Service Inquiry, the Ghana Police Service allegedly went ahead to dismiss her.     The IGP''s lawyer indicated that he had not filed response to the two applications because of the development and agreed to the two weeks adjournment for him to consult his superiors on the issue.     The Human Rights Court therefore adjourned the matter to November 7.     On September 4, this year, the Human Rights Court in Accra rejected the application for reinstatement of DSP Gifty Mawuenyega Tehoda into the Police Service on procedural grounds.      DSP Tehoda was discharged three months ago for lack of evidence in the cocaine-turned-baking soda case. Prior to her discharge, the Police Service had interdicted her, stripping her of her position as the Deputy Head of the Commercial Crimes Unit of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID).     GNA ...

Takoradi Oct. 22, GNA - Rexford Bandoh, a restaurant supervisor at the Planters Lodge in Takoradi, on Monday appeared before the Takoradi Circuit Court “B” for allegedly stealing an amount of GHC12,350 belonging to a guest of the hotel.     The Court granted the accused, who pleaded not guilty, a bail ofGHC 20,000 with two sureties to re-appear on November 13 this year.     Prosecuting, Police Inspector Seth Ahelegbe, said at about 22.00 hours on October 17, this year, the management of the Planters Lodge informed the Police that they have arrested the accused person for stealing GHC12,350 belonging to one George Quarteng-Mensah, a guest at the hotel.     He said the Police went to the hotel and met the accused and the manager and during interrogation, the accused person denied the allegation until a CCTV footage was played showing the accused person opening the bag of the guest and removing one brown file and two white envelopes.     Inspector Ahelegbe said the Police arrested the accused and took him to the Police Station but again denied the offence in his caution statement.     He said further investigations revealed that Quarteng-Mensah and his foreign business partners, who lodged at the hotel, went to the restaurant to take their meal.     Inspector Ahelegbe said after the meal, Quarteng-Mensah left his handbag containing some personal documents and the money in the restaurant when leaving for a meeting at the hotel. He said Quarteng-Mensah did not find the handbag when he went back to the restaurant but was directed to the front desk restaurant where it was handed over to him.     Inspector Ahelegbe said Quarteng-Mensah opened the bag for inspection and discovered that the money had been stolen and reported the incident to the manager of the hotel.   GNA ...

Asankragua(WR), Oct. 22, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama on Monday cautioned illegal miners (galamsey operators) against the destruction of cocoa farms in search of minerals as that could stifle cocoa production.     He said: “The minerals you are searching for are temporal, but the cocoa farms will continue to serve future generations if you keep them well.”     President Mahama gave the caution when he addressed a rally at Asankragua in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region as part of his five-day campaign tour of the region.     The President also addressed rallies at Dadieso, Aowim, Wiawso, Bodi and Akontambra , where he outlined the development agenda of the ruling National Democratic Congress.    He denounced the high incidence of illegal mining activities and appealed to the chiefs and people in the affected communities to draw up a plan for government to take action and find lasting solutions to the menace.    President Mahama said although small scale miners were allowed to operate with licenses, government would however, not issue such permits to the operators if their activities would be inimical to the communities they operated in.   The President said government would continue to support cocoa farmers to achieve higher production levels and would therefore not allow illegal miners to thwart all the efforts they were making to revamp the cocoa industry.   Nana Anyani Boadum III, Divisional Chief of Asankragua in a speech read on his behalf commended the government for constructing and maintaining a number of feeder roads in the Amenfi West District of the Region.   He however appealed to government to upgrade the local health centre into a hospital or a polyclinic to cater for the health needs of the people.   Nana Boadum III also appealed to government to increase the cocoa districts from the current two to five to cater for the needs of cocoa farmers in the area.     More ...

Cape Coast, Oct. 22, GNA – The circuit court in Cape Coast granted 1,000 Ghana cedis bail to Mr. Ebenezer Sam, an accountant of the Far East Mercantile Limited, accused of embezzling GHc 8,129.06.      He would re-appear before court on Friday November 2.     Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Andam Okyere, told the court presided over by Mrs. Florence Kai Otu that the Manager of company, Mr. George Assah on Tuesday, April 10 reported to the police that Sam has embezzled money belonging to the company.    The prosecution said Sam did not render accounts for money collected from customers of the company for three days, and kept the key to the company’s safe, and absented himself from the work.     ASP Andam Okyere said the manager became suspicious of Sam’s action and when he ordered that the safe should be broken into in the presence of relatives of the accused, 15,522 00 was found in it.     The prosecution said when the manager checked the cash book of the company as from 1 to 13 April, he realized that Sam did not account for GHc 8,129.06.     GNA ...

Sunyani, Oct. 22, GNA – The Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Party (NDP) at the weekend said it believed the Electoral Commission’s (EC) rejection of Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings nomination form was a calculated attempt by certain individuals who had compromised with the EC to collapse the party.     It has however, expressed doubts about the integrity of the EC in all the electoral processes to ensure free, fair and transparent Election 2012.      The EC on Thursday, October 19, rejected the nomination of Nana Agyemang-Rawlings, a former First Lady and Flagbearer of the NDP citing major errors on her forms.     At a press conference in Sunyani, Nana Obiri Pantanpram, NDP Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of the party clad in a mourning cloth emphasised that the “Regional Secretariat was solidly behind Nana Konadu in any decision she might take to seek justice:”.     He attested that the NDP was formed out of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and since then the NDC had adopted series of strategies to divide and “bury” the NDP.     Nana Pantanpram explained that it was not the first time an error had appeared on a flagbearer’s nomination form therefore, the EC should have informed Nana Konadu of such errors than rejecting the forms.     He regretted that the EC had dented its credibility saying it was unfortunate and disgraceful on its part to allow some politicians to dent its national and international reputation.     Nana Pantanpram emphasised that the NDP had come to stay and would endeavour to participate and win the December 7 polls.   GNA ...

Yamfo (B/A), Oct. 22, GNA – Miss Freda Prempeh, Tano North Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the weekend, launched her campaign with a promise to upgrade the Yamfo Health Centre into a full-fledged hospital when voted into power.     Addressing hundreds of supporters, sympathisers and activists of the party at the Yamfo lorry park, she noted that the Saint John’s Hospital at Duayaw-Nkwanta, the only hospital in the Tano North District could not cater for all the referral cases in the constituency.     Ms Prempeh explained that since quality healthcare delivery was paramount in nation building, the health of the people would continue to be her main priority.     She regretted that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a legacy left by the NPP Government for the NDC Government for the benefit of the citizenry had collapsed.     The NPP Parliamentary Candidate said she would use a percentage of her common fund to ensure that all the aged in the constituency registered free of charge under the scheme and procured modern equipment for the upgrading of the Yamfo health centre.     She expressed concern about the poor nature of road networks linking the farming communities, noting that the constituency did not benefit from a single project under the NDC Government’s supposed better Ghana agenda.     Ms Prempeh told the ecstatic supporters that voting for her alone would not be enough and entreated them to ensure that majority of them participate in the election and vote for the NPP.     This, she said would be possible if they educate the electorate on the NPP manifesto especially those at the grassroots.     Ms Prempeh, a Communication Expert, who had been an assembly member for the La Loko electoral area on two consecutive terms, expressed the optimism that with her experience in the local government system, the electorate would vote for her to represent them for improved livelihood.     Mrs Otiko Afisa Djaba, NPP National Women’s Organiser said all was set for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential Candidate to implement the free Senior High School (SHS) next year but could only become a reality when Ghanaians vote for the party.   She affirmed that she had benefited from such policy in the past and challenged Ghanaians to vote for the NPP during Election 2012 and see whether it could not fulfill the promise.     Mrs Djaba entreated the electorate to ignore all counter accusations from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the policy was not feasible next year and vote for the NPP to benefit from it.     Mr Ernest Akubour Debrah, incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North advised the people to support Ms Prempeh as they did for him for development.     He said she had the capabilities to perform to their expectation and advised them to vote for her.     GNA  ...

Tamale, Oct. 22, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Monday gave another dimension to the peace of the 2012 elections by urging the electorate to vote massively for a clear winner to emerge at the first round.      He said doubts began to emerge when the results of the elections were close to call and when there was a thin margin of win.      He, therefore, asked the electorate to come out and vote massively with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)  as the preferred party because it was development oriented. Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who is also the running mate of President John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate of the NDC, made the appeal when he addressed supporters of the party after calling on traditional leaders in the Tamale Municipality.   The calls were part of a two-day visit and final leg of a five-day visit to the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions. The Vice President had arrived on Sunday evening to a rousing welcome and addressed rallies in the metropolis in the Tamale Central, North and South constituencies.      He then paid a courtesy call on Dakpema Mohamed Alhassan, Chief of Tamale at his palace, and visited the Guikpe palace and  solicited their blessing for peaceful polls.      The traditional leaders praised the NDC Government for the concern for the Northern Region, the construction works at the Tamale Hospital, and the establishment of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), that was aimed at bringing social and economic interventions in the three northern regions of Ghana.      Vice President Amissah Arthur thanked the chiefs for their contributions to peace in the region.      “I can’t come here without thanking you for your contributions to the peace of Tamale. May that peace extend to other parts of Ghana and the whole of Ghana,” Vice President Amissah-Arthur said at the palace of the Guikpe Naa Abdulai Alhassan.      The Guikpe Naa expressed appreciation to the government and the NDC for what it had done for the Dagbon Area, and assured the Vice President of their support for Government’s development agenda.       He appealed to the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Mr Sam Garba, for the completion of a primary school started recently.      The Vice President used the occasion to introduce Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini,  a veteran journalist and Night Editor of the Daily Graphic  as the NDC parliamentary candidate for the newly created Zalerigu North Constituency.      Vice President Amissah-Arthur also paid homage to the Pogolana Palace, and later addressed the leadership of the Tamale Central Mosque.       He is yet to address students at the Tamale Campus of  the University for Development Studies. GNA ...

Obengkrom (B/A), Oct. 22, GNA – Majority of pregnant students during the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Brong Ahafo Region came from the Asutifi District.     This was made known by Mrs Kyei Abrafi, Asutifi District Girls Education Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), who said the district alone recorded 63 per cent of all related cases.     She said out of the 30 pregnant girls who participated in the examination in the Region, 19 of them and a nursing mother were from the Asutifi District and expressed concern about the high prevalent rate of teenage pregnancy in the district.     Mrs Abrafi was speaking at the celebration of International Rural Women’s Day at Obengkrom in the Asutifi District.     The event was jointly organised by Action Aid Ghana and Centre for Maternal Health and Community Empowerment (CMCE) on the theme: “The Empowerment of Rural women and their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradication”.     Mrs Abrafi called for prompt attention by all stakeholders to be given to situation and help reverse the trend as more of such girls are being lured with money by galamsey operators in the district.     She said a survey conducted in nine schools last year revealed that 30 students including a class six pupil, were pregnant and therefore dropped out from school.   Mrs Abrafi said the situation was getting out of hand because parents did not see their children’s education as a priority as they failed to provide them with the necessary learning materials and called on parents to live up to their responsibilities.     Mr John Abaah, Programme Officer in-charge of Women’s Right in Action aid, said it was time to reduce poverty among women in the country by empowering them to fight for their rights.     He said about 70 per cent of women worldwide lived in poverty saying there was the need to resource and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to venture into viable economic ventures.     Mr Abaa said though women smallholder farmers in the country formed the majority in food production, they did not have adequate access to farm lands and called on government to develop and implement appropriate policies on land administration.     Mr Salaam Mahama, a Member of CMCE, cautioned parents against the settlement of defilement and rape cases at home since it was against the law in the country and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted.     He urged parents to show concern about issues concerning their children because they were the country’s hope and future leaders.   GNA ...

Obuasi, Oct 22, GNA - Odotobri Rural Bank at the weekend donated items worth about six hundred Ghana cedis towards  the Obuasi Municipality Farmer’s Day celebration to be held at Kwabenakwakrom.     The items included 60 crocodile machetes, 10 pairs of wellington boots and five knapsack spraying machines.     Mr. Johnny Owusu- Boadi, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank, and the General Manager, Mr. S.B. Ahmed, made the presentation on behalf of the bank.      He said: ‘’Odotobri has been contributing to the farmer’s day and best teacher’s awards day of the municipality every year, and we do this just to motivate our hardworking farmers and teachers’’.     Mr. Owusu-Boadi, who is also the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, said the bank was committed to its social responsibility and allocated part of its profit to improving the lives of the people.     The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. John Alexander Ackon, who received the items on behalf of the Assembly, said the bank was a reliable partner for the development of the municipality.       He said the assembly would reciprocate this gesture by helping to facilitate the growth of the bank.   GNA ...

Sunyani, Oct. 22, GNA – Mr Daniel Kofi Kyere, National President of Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), has appealed to members to endeavour to entice more surveyors into their fold.     He noted that quantity surveyors played an important role in national development and urged them to forge ahead towards a formidable institution.     Mr Kyere made the appeal when inaugurating the Brong-Ahafo Regional Association of Quantity Surveying Division of GhIS in Sunyani at the weekend.     It was on the theme: “The State of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors”.     He said efforts were being made by the leadership to ensure the promulgation of the Survey Council Bill into law, currently under consideration at Cabinet level.     Mr Kyere explained that the Bill, when promulgated into law, would guide their operations and the surveying profession in the country.     “The Institution is now fully fledged in the training of members to build their capacity to generate income and make them relevant to national development,” he added.     Mr Isaac Abbarm, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of Quantity Surveying Division of GhIS, appealed to the Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), to ensure every municipal or district assembly had a professional quantity surveyor on their tender committees and review boards for effective and efficient operations.     The seven-member regional executive committee, sworn into office by Mr Kyere, are Mr Isaac Abbarm, Chairman, Mr Patrick Fiadjoe, Vice-Chairman, Ms Helena Nimo, Secretary, Mr Mohammed Ash-Shiaku, Assistant Secretary, Ms Monica Amontum, Treasurer, Mr Bright Kpabitey, Organising Secretary and Mr Yusif Inusah, Assistant Organsing Secretary.   GNA ...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA – Champions Asante Kotoko dreams of departing from their poor start to the Glo Premiership lives on as the Porcupine Warriors could only labour for yet another point in their third week game against Heart of Lions on Sunday.      Playing at home and under the guidance of Manager Didi Mas-Ud Dramani, the defending champions hope for a possible three points slipped through their fingers after a late rally from Lions to cancel a late lead by Kofi Nti Boakye in a dramatic game which saw both teams scoring from the spot.      Kotoko seeking to defend their title have piled a paltry three points from a possible nine and playing at home in front of their committed supporters was expected to make the difference. But once more, the ‘Fabulous’ lost their guard late; relinquishing an 82-minute lead which sent the stadium agog.      It was Lions’ Nana Egyir who added a dramatic twist to the game following his foul on advancing Nafiu Iddrissu with barely eight minutes to end the duel. Captain Boakye stepped forward to send Kotoko ahead but eight minutes on, Egyir redeemed himself after Ransford Osei fouled a Lions’ attacker in the penalty area to which Tamale-based Class One referee, Ibrahim Sumaila awarded the visitors. Egyir took the responsibility of drawing the Kpando-based team parity and in style.        Kotoko will now be on the road to Dormaa in search of that first victory when they play as guest of Aduna who have won once and drawn twice under difficult circumstance in the league so far.      Chelsea emerged the stronger in their local derby with Arsenals in the battle of Berekum at the  Golden City Park. Chelsea who has jumped to the apex of the league table with seven points pushed two bitter pills down the throats of Arsenals with goals from Latif Salifu and Ibrahim Issaka to pluck all three points.        Arsenals who survived last season’s Premiership by the skin proved no game for their neighbours  who enjoyed an outstanding spell as debutants in the continent's plum inter-club competitions, CAF Champions League only weeks ago.      Elsewhere in Tema, Ebusua Dwarfs posted the shock of the season when they brought Hearts of Oak down to earth with a 3-1 victory over the high flying Phobians. The victors, playing their home game at the Tema Stadium as a result of their home ban took the lead six minutes after the half hour mark through John Arthur.         Hearts’ Nuru Sully equalized a few minutes on but Dwarfs, searching for their first victory in three outings stepped up their game, netting two other goals through Prince Appiah who gravely exposed goalkeeper Sammy Adjei with a volley just outside the penalty box before Bright Luqman scored from the spot latter in the game.       The win which lifts Dwarfs to sixth on the log halted Hearts surge on the league following impressive outing in their first two games which saw them thump Edubiase 5-2 and drawing one all with Tema Youth away. The Phobians are now behind Chelsea, Medeama and Aduana  on the table.         At the Tamale Stadium, Real Tamale United (RTU) were held 1-1 by visiting Aduana who appeared favoured for the game. The results marks Mohammed Gargo’s charges second straight draw since returning to the elite division.        Debutants Amidaus Professionals’ quest to record another victory and take their tally to seven of a possible nine was halted by ‘returnees’ King Faisal in their duel at the Tema Stadium. Faisal’s lone goal by Sulley Mohammed was enough to take the Kumasi-based team to mid-table.       Liberty Professionals abysmal start to the league did not appear to be nearing its end after picking only a point in their game with Ashgold at the Sly Tetteh Stadium, Dansoman. Liberty languishing at the foot of the 16-team league table could only manage a scoreless encounter.        All Stars drew one all with Medeama at the Wa Park while Edubiase defeated Tema Youth by a lone goal.             GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA – The 2012/2013 Premier League has reached the half-century goal cap after just three rounds of matches.     The feat was attained over the weekend which recorded 16 goals from eight games. As at the third week during the 2011/2012 season, the league had witnessed 51 goals.     Till this stage, the league has seen 24 matches with Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United) and Yakubu Mohamed (Ashantigold) leading the scorers chart with three goals apiece.     Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that Latifu Salifu (Berekum Chelsea), Bright Luqman (Dwarfs), Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko) and Nuru Sulley (Hearts of Oak) have each scored twice.     As many as 33 players have each scored one goal in the three-week old premiership.     Below is the scorers chart:   3 - Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United), Yakubu Mohamed (AshantiGold),   2 -Latif Salifu (Berekum Chelsea), Bright Luqman (Dwarfs), Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko), Nuru Sulley (Hearts of Oak)   1- Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Professionals), Sulley Mohamed, Prince Boateng (King Faisal), John Arthur, Prince Appiah (Dwarfs), Ibrahim Dauda, Edmund Owusu Peprah (Berekum Arsenals), Daniel Gozah, Godfred Saka, Emmanuel Akuoko, John Ashong (Aduana Stars), Louis Agyemang (AshantiGold), Emmanuel Kwamena, (Real Tamale United), Otuo Acheampong, Daniel Larbi Koomson, Kabiru Moro (Medeama), Ibrahim Issaka, Abdul Wahab (Berekum Chelsea), Seidu Bancey, (Asante Kotoko), Franklin Osei, Daniel Acquaye, Nana Egyir (Heart of Lions), Samuel Azumah, Emmanuel Adu (All Stars), Basit Adam, Bernard Ofori, Sakyi Quaye (Edubiase), Isaac Amoah, Yahaya Mohamed (Amidaus Professionals), Osei Bonsu, Prince Attakora Gyimah (Hearts of Oak), Daniel Appiah, Francis Narh (Tema Youth)     GNA ...

Juaboso, Oct. 22, GNA – Development Focus, an Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), in the Juaboso District of the Western Region, over the weekend, engaged all political parties in a peace walk as a means of fostering brotherliness among them. Already, communities like Afari, Boizan and Juaboso have been identified as flash points where insults are traded among contenders in this year’s elections. Justice Isaac Peh, Executive Director of Development Focus, said the march was, therefore, to promote the spirit of friendship among the parties to ensure that minor issues were defused before they degenerated into unwarranted violence. He said with support from STAR-Ghana, the NGO would intensify its education, particularly among parties in the flash point communities as campaigning for votes intensified. Various speakers at a durbar to run off the peace march called for a collaborative effort from the parties to ensure violent free elections while some aspiring parliamentarians in the area affirmed their commitment to peace. DSP Ofori Donkor, Juaboso District Police Commander, assured residents that the police were ready to provide maximum security during the elections. In a related development, the Ministers Network of Western Region, at a stakeholders forum for election 2012, have met the leadership of the various political parties in the region to discuss how the nation could achieve a peaceful elections.      The network in a communique said: "It is clearly evident that since the inception of multi-party democracy in the country, the church has played no mean role in deepening democracy".       It said: "As e congratulate all and sundry for their commitment at maintaining peace, we wish to put on record that our enviable reputation as the "Beacon of Hope" on the African continent must be consolidated.   GNA ...

Koforidua, Oct 22, GNA - Nana Adjei Boateng, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for New Juaben North, said NPP's free Senior High School (SHS) policy seeks to support many Ghanaian women, who are solely responsible for their children’s education.     He stressed that a government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag bear for Election 2012, would implement the policy to lessen the burden of women, who pay school fees of  their children in the SHS.    Nana Adjei Boateng said these at the launch of his campaign at Effiduase near Koforidua on Sunday.      He said the policy was possible, and women, who had become “men”, because of the irresponsibility of their husbands, should vote massively for the NPP to alleviate their plight.  Nana Adjei Boateng reminded the women that the Kufour administration was committed to their welfare, and introduced free maternal healthcare, free metro busses for school children.       He said NPP political opponents were deceiving Ghanaians that the SHS policy could not be free, and asked the electorate to dismiss the deception, and vote massively for the NPP in December.     The New Juaben North constituency since 1996 has been represented by Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, and it is considered as a safe seat for the NPP.      After 12 years of representing the people, Mr Owusu Agyeman stepped down for Nana Adjei Boateng, former Municipal Chief Executive of New Juaben, who won the NPP primaries.     The launch of the campaign was preceded by a health walk that attracted NPP supporters and big wigs, including Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Mr Yaw Barimah and Mr Owusu-Agyeman.      Mr Owusu-Agyeman, introduced Nana Adjei Boateng to party supporters, and appealed to the electorate to vote massively for the parliamentary candidate in December, since he had been tested.     Papa Owusu Ankomah, a Member of Parliament for Sekondi, reiterated that the free SHS could be possible because Cuba and Kenya, with less endowed resources compared to Ghana, were implementing that policy.      He said it deceitful that Ghana with all its natural resources could not implement a free SHS. Mr Yaw Barimah, a former Eastern Regional Minister, said the NPP achieved a lot in the area of education and health, and appealed to Ghanaians to return the party to power to continue with its good policies.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is fashioning out a code of conduct for players of the senior national team, Black Stars.        The code of conduct expected to guide the team is scheduled to come into force on the hills of the alleged unruly behavior by midfielder Andre Ayew during the team’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Malawi few weeks ago.       A trusted source at the GFA told GNA Sports the decision to fashion out the code of conduct has been influenced by the alleged outburst and disrespectful response by Ayew following his substitution in the 1-0 win over the Flames of Malawi in Lilongwe.       The code of conduct expected to carry the 'do's and don’ts' among players according to the information would be signed by every invited player to serve as a binding role for the national team.        Though specifics of the regulation remained sketchy, the source told GNA Sports, players who refuse to sign or abide by it would be shown the door of the team that seeks to win a fifth Africa Cup of Nations for Ghana at the next continental gathering in South Africa in 2013.        "Much as we will like to assemble the best players to represent the nation and win trophies, it is important that discipline is maintained. Talent alone cannot be enough; it must be complimented by discipline and hard work.       "We had planned to get this code of conduct ready a long time ago, but it has even become more necessary today," said the source.      The GFA plans to make use of the code of conduct for the next international friendly on November 14 against a yet-to-be-named opponent and players called up would be expected to sign the pact.    GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - Fifteen dismissed workers of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Vodafone Ghana), have issued a writ of summons in the Accra High Court (Labour Division), against their former employer for wrongful dismissal.     The plaintiffs are: Bawa Abdul-Majeed, Emmanuel Don Migheagles, Gordon Sackey-Mensah, Richard Edem Adanuty, Doris Lamptey, Paulins Agyeiwah Gyasi, Florence Korsah, Ayishetu Musah and Samuel Kumi-Sakyi.     The rest are Augusta Larkyne, Eugene Kotey, George Boateng, Federick Ansah Brookman, Victor Adjah and Leticia Dankwah.      The plaintiffs are claiming for a declaration that the purported termination of their employment of service for non- performance is wrongful, unlawful and null and avoid and that their supposed dismissal is a retrenchment exercised disguised as termination of employment for non-performance.     The plaintiffs are also ordering for the payment of severance awards as provided for in the collective bargaining agreement and the relevant laws and agreements, general damages for unlawful termination of appointment as well as cost.     The summons noted that the plaintiffs were employees with the company and have worked from 18 months to 12 years and as per assigned job description.      The relationship between the parties are regulated by a collective bargaining agreement between the company and Communications Workers Union of Trade Union Congress, a performance management process and term and conditions for employees.     The express terms of plaintiffs’ contract of employment provided for notice provision requiring the company to give the workers three months notice in writing if the defendant so desires to terminate the appointment or make payment in lieu of all or part of the three months notice period.    On October 5, the company without any prior notice served the plaintiffs with termination appointment letters.    The defendant stated in the letter “that your performance has been reviewed and the business has taken a decision to terminate your appointment with immediate effect”.       GNA  ...