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  ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA – The Precious Minerals Marketing Commission (PMMC) Limited would by July 2013 establish a gold refinery to enable the Commission add value and fetch higher dividends from gold produced with daily commercial refining capacity of 10 kilogrammes. Mr Rueben Darko Damptey, Managing Director of the PMMC,  said on Monday, that the operations of the refinery would cost 3.5 million dollars and it would help in putting to an end the gold scamming business being perpetrated in some African countries.  He was speaking to journalists at the end of a short ceremony organized by PMMC to welcome a delegation from the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM) to learn from the best practices of Ghana’s small-scale mining industry. Mr Damptey said management was in the process of establishing a laser cutting system for complicated and bigger diamond by November 2013 at an expected cost of 500,000 dollars. He said he was optimistic that the improved cutting method would enable the Commission to both cut and polish the rough stones that had been mined locally at full capacity and also to fetch profit at the world market price. Mr Damptey said management would continue to implement variety of training programmes to sharpen the skills, knowledge and technical competence of PMMC staff. He said the Commission had targeted to operate in new markets in the country and in the Economic Community of West Africa States through market co-operation and imaginative collaboration with international jewellery manufactures. He added that management would develop other local stones for ornament making. Mr Damptey expressed optimism that the Zambian delegation would gain insight into the organized activities of Ghana’s small-scale mining industry. Mr Mwiza Mbewe, Investments Manager with the ZCCM said he was so far satisfied with what he had learnt and heard about the industry in Ghana. He said his country was deeply involved in mining semi-precious stones like emerald, amethyst and aqua marine.optimistic that the Ghanaian experience would be useful in helping ZCCM to develop other mining sectors of the Zambian economy. The PMMC was established in 1963 as Ghana’s Diamond Marketing Board charged with the responsibility for the purchase and marketing of the country’s diamonds. In 2000, it was converted by Act 461 to a limited liability company to operate under the Ghana Companies Code (Act 179 of 1963) as Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited. PMMC is mandated to buy and sell gold and diamonds from small-scale miners, produce gold jewellery for sale locally and internationally as well as to export gold on behalf of third parties for a commission. It is also to smelt and assay gold at the request of agents and suppliers for sale and appoint licensed buyers for the purchase of precious minerals produced by small-scale miners.   GNA...

Accra, October 22, GNA -The Management of the National Road Safety (NRSC) on Monday presented 10 pickup vehicles to the regional offices to build their capacities. Mr Noble John Appiah, Executive Director of NRSC, said the vehicles were funded by government and the World Bank under the Transport Project System. Mr Appiah said it was the expectation of the Commission that the vehicles would revive the visibility of the Commission in speeding up its work to improve road safety. Mr Sabastian Akyeampong, Volta Regional Manager for NRSC, thanked the government for the initiatives adding that it would make sure the vehicles were well maintained. The NRSC was established by an Act of Parliament (Act 567) in 1999 with the mandate to develop and promote road safety and coordinate policies in relation to nationwide road safety education and advise the Minister of Transport on the formation of road safety issues. Picture 0024 shows Mr Noble John Appiah, Executive Director of NRSC presenting the car key to Mr Sabastian Akyeampon, Volta Regional Manager for NRSC     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, is now the fourth largest mobile operator in the world in terms of subscribers.    A statement issued by Artel in Accra on Monday said the company moved up one position on the table, quoting Wireless Intelligence.     The statement said at the end of the quarter ended June 2012, the Company had over 250 million mobile subscribers across its operations, representing 13% year-on-year growth. Bharti Airtel had become the fifth largest mobile operator in the world following its acquisition of Zain Group’s mobile operations across 15 African nations in June 2010. China Mobile has the largest subscribers of 683.08 million followed by Vodafone with 386.88 million and American Movil Group with 251.83 million subscribers. Bharti Airtel has 250.04 million subscribers while Telefonica Group has 243.51 million.     GNA ...

Tamale, Oct 22, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, on Monday called on Ghanaians to elect a clear winner in a first round, to ensure peaceful elections in December.  He said there were doubts any time elections results were close to call, and appealed to the electorate to vote massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) because it is development- oriented.     Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who is also running mate of President John Dramani Mahama, presidential candidate of the NDC in Election 2012, made the call when he addressed party supporters after calling on traditional leaders in the Tamale Municipality, at the weekend.      It formed 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 addressed rallies at Tamale Central, Tamale North and Tamale South constituencies, and called     on Dakpema Mohamed Alhassan, Chief of Tamale, at his palace, and visited the Guikpe palace to ask for blessings for peaceful polls.       Dakpema Mohamed Alhassan and other traditional leaders praised the NDC Government for the rehabilitation works at the Tamale Hospital, the establishment of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority that seeks to bringing social and economic interventions in the Northern Region, Upper West and Upper East Regions.          At the palace of the Guikpe Naa Abdulai Alhassan, Vice President Amissah Arthur thanked the chiefs for their contributions to peace in the northern region, and said:   “I can’t come here without thanking them for their contributions to peace in Tamale. May that peace be extended to other parts of Ghana”.      The Vice President introduced Alhaji A.B. A Fuseini,  a veteran journalist of the Daily Graphic, as the NDC parliamentary candidate for the newly created Zalerigu North Constituency.     Vice President Amissah-Arthur also visited the Pogolana Palace, and later addressed the leadership of the Tamale Central Mosque.     He would also address students of the Tamale Campus of the University for Development Studies.       The Guikpe Naa commended the NDC Government for seeking the welfare of the people of Dagbon, and gave the assurance that the people would support the government’s development agenda.     He appealed to the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund, Mr Sam Garba, to complete the building of a primary school it started in the area.     GNA  ...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA - The United Church Women’s Fellowship at the weekend marked its 26th Anniversary with a call on the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to indulge in activities that could undermine the peace of the country during and after the December polls. Rev Rose Teteki Abby, the Clerk of the Ga Presbytery, appealed to Ghanaians not to take the peace in the country for granted and called for peace for God to smile upon the country for yet another successful election. The anniversary, which was on the theme “keeping the fire burning,” brought together members of the Fellowship and the church to give thanks to God for 26 years since its inauguration in 1986. Rev Abby urged members of the Fellowship to rekindle their first love for God through obedience and continued reliance on the Holy Spirit. She said it was important to recognize that the fire of God could be quenched if Christians failed to do what is expected of them.        Madam Angela Kwateng, President of the Fellowship, said the vision of the Fellowship was to seek the spiritual and physical growth of its members by encouraging one another in the Lord.     “Visitation has been part of us. We visit our indisposed sisters and other church members.The fellowship continues to take part in the activities of the Christian Council of Ghana’s Women’s Committee,” she said. Madam Kwateng said the Fellowship intended to nurture and teach vocational, catering, batik and soap making skills among the membership. Ms Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, in a goodwill message said Women’s Fellowship was one of the church’s greatest assets and growth poles that had nurtured the involvement of women in the church the world over. She appealed to members to look beyond the challenges associated with their Godly duties and reach out to the needs of all women and children both in and out of the church. GNA ...

Bawku (U/E), Oct. 22, GNA - Mr. Stephen Yakubu, the Member of Parliament for Binduri, has donated an ambulance at the cost of 30.000 Ghana cedi to people of the constituency. He bought the ambulance from his share of the Common Fund and is to provide free health service to people living in the area but would charge a little fee for people who do not reside in the area. Mr. Yakubu said the vehicle was part of efforts to ensure that quality health delivery reaches the door steps of the people. He said most people living in the area were poor and could not afford transportation to health centers. Mr. Yakubu said as part of measures to promote health in the area he had provided pavilions to all Community Health Planning Services Compound (CHPS) in the constituency to shade nursing mothers and people who go to the health centers. He said he had roofed two nursing quarters and provided solar lights and accommodation for health workers working in the area. Dr. Thomas Afful-Mensah, the Municipal Health Director who received the ambulance, commended the Member of Parliament for his effort in promoting health services in the area and called on other development partners to assist.   GNA  ...

Bawku (U/E), Oct 22, GNA- Mr. David Adoliba, the presiding member of the Bawku Municipal Assembly, has said the national cleanup exercise scheduled to take place on October 26 is likely face low patronage as it coincides with the celebration of the Muslim festival of sacrifice of Eid-Ul-Adha. Mr. Adoliba said as most of the people would be preparing food and other activities towards the celebration of the festival majority might not have time to come out for the exercise. He told the GNA that s new date would have to be set for the exercise. GNA ...

Cape Coast, Oct. 22, GNA - The Bishop of Cape Coast Diocese of the Anglican Church, Right Reverend Daniel Silvanus Addotei Allotey, has appealed to the youth to lead pious, principled and exemplary lives to earn them unquestionable leadership positions in future. He said as young people it would not be easy for them to practice the virtues of disciplined and principled life but with prayers and determination, they would be able to overcome their challenges. Bishop Allotey was delivering the sermon at a thanksgiving service and a sod cutting ceremony for of a GHc12 million office complex at Adisadel on Sunday to climax the 30th anniversary celebration of the Diocese. The year-long celebration on the theme; “Serving the present age, our calling to fulfill” is dedicated to the youth to enhance their overall development. He was assisted by Nana Kwame Animel, Omanhen of Wasafiase Traditional Area and Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area to cut the sod for the commencement of the project. Bishop Allotey said as future leaders, it was imperative that the youth were provided with a “guiding light for their path” for them to live uprightly to pave the way for the realization of the society “we all yearn for”. The Very Reverend Victor Attah-Baffoe, Dean of the Saint Nicholas Seminary, said as part of the anniversary celebration the Church had built an Electronic Village at Abakrampa in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District to serve as an apprenticeship Center to equip the youth in the Region with employable skills. He said the office complex, scheduled to be completed within five years, will have facilities including conference centers and a guest house for rentals to generate some revenue for the Church.       GNA ...

Takoradi, Oct 22, GNA – A Customs officer has appealed to importers to make use of government warehouses in the event that they are unable to or they do not have the means to clear their goods from the ports. This is to save money or sometimes the loss of goods and services due to smuggling. Mr. Felix Mante-Kodjo, Chief Collector out-door of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, said this at a forum on “Suspense Regime” for clearing agents, freight forwarders, stevedores and importers at Takoradi on Saturday. He said warehousing one’s goods ensued that the capital of the trader was not locked up while small traders could hold large stocks of goods under the system and it also created convenience for the importer. Mr Mante-Kodjo said export trade was also fostered by reason of reserve stock and freedom on trade duty and the importer may also have remission of duty due to natural loss as well as double security for the goods. The “Suspense Regime” talks about free zones, transit, temporary importation and warehousing which forms part of the reforms introduced to maximize income for the state. He said the suspense regime required that transactions were closely monitored and controlled to protect state revenue.   GNA ...

Kpong (E/R), Oct. 22, GNA - Mr Victor Smith, Eastern Regional Minister, has appealed to Ghanaians to vote massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its leader has a track record of bringing development.       He said Ghanaians should vote for a leader who was credible and had a good track record to move the nation forward.       Mr Smith was addressing hundreds of supporters of the party at a rally at Kpong in the Eastern Region to launch the Lower Manya Constituency Campaign.      He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, had no track record of any developmental project when he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for three terms at Abuakwa South.      Mr Smith said Nana Addo, was also a Minister of State for two terms but could not do anything significant to raise the living conditions of the people from his area.     He said the only project Nana Addo undertook in his community was a post office but later abandoned it.     Mr Smith urged the electorate to renew the NDC mandate and also vote massively for Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the party’s parliamentary candidate, to continue with the “Better Ghana Agenda” and bring development to their doorsteps.      Mr Terlabi urged the electorate to give him the mandate to represent them in Parliament to lobby for more development for the area.      He told the crowd that they would continue to see much improvement in their living conditions if they gave him the nod.      Mr Terlabi said the incumbent MP, Mr Michael Teye Nyaunu, did not bring any development and improvement in the lives of the people.      He said Mr Nyaunu took the people for granted and did not fight to bring them their fair share of the national cake.      Mr Terlabi  said he was confident of winning the seat and that he would win “one touch’.      He appealed to the electorate to come out in their numbers on December 7 and vote massively for him and President John Mahama.      He advised the party supporters to guard against any form of violence that could disturb the peace of the country.     GNA  ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Berekum Chelsea 5,000 dollars (10,000 cedis) for unsporting behaviours in the CAF Champions League.     Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the Disciplinary Board of the continent’s soccer governing at its sitting last week in Cairo, Egypt handed the sanctions to the Berekum-based club after reviewing their Group B clash against Egyptian giants, Ahly held on August 4, at the Military Stadium.     Berekum Chelsea lost 1-4, incidentally the only defeat in their campaign but had left-back Richard Kissi Boateng sent-off in the first half and received a further three other  cautions.    Defensive duo Eric Agyemang, Awudu Nafiu were booked just as midfielder Jordan Opoku in the closing stages of the game.     The continental soccer governing body has since communicated the decision of their Disciplinary Board to Berekum Chelsea through the Ghana Football Association (GFA).    Berekum Chelsea narrowly missed out on a place in the last four of the premier continental club championship after finishing behind Ahly and TP Mazembe of DR Congo in Group B.     GNA  ...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to outdoor Al Ain Striker, Asamoah Gyan as the substantive captain of the Black Stars.         A supreme source at GFA told GNA Sports the Association reached the decision after Gyan captained the Stars for the second time when Ghana toppled the Flames of Malawi to book a place at the next year's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.        The source said barring any unforeseen hitches, Gyan who returned to the national team few weeks ago after calling off his self-imposed exile would be taking over completely from inactive skipper, John Mensah.        Club-less Mensah, who took over from Stephen Appiah before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, according to the source has been made the General Captain of the team hoping to end Ghana’s search for a fifth Africa Cup of Nations glory.          Contrary to the GFA’s earlier assertion that the choice of captain will be hierarchical, the latest decision means Gyan has overtaken Michael Essien,  John Painstil and Sulley Muntari who per their supposed order are ahead.          Though the source refused to delve into what influenced the decision,  he remained tightlipped on whether rumours that Gyan demanded being named captain during the GFA's mission to lure him back into the national team contributed.         Gyan made his debut for the Black Stars in 2003, then 17 when scoring against Somalia after replacing Isaac Boakye in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.        He has had a love-hate relationship with Ghana following criticism over his performance in crucial games. Twice in less than two years, Gyan missed from the spot in decisive games which Ghana eventually lost.      The first was at the 2010 World Cup where he missed a late penalty in the semi final meeting against Uruguay before the 2012 Africa cup of Nations semi final game with Zambia in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea earlier in the year.      Gyan decided to take an indefinite break from International football after the competition in the midst of the criticism only to return months later , after several meetings with the GFA where it is believed he demanded for the captaincy as part of the conditions for his return.   GNA ...

Takoradi, Oct 22, GNA – The Sekondi/Takoradi branch of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the passage of the Food and Drugs Bill as well as the Standards Bill. The Chamber, at a meeting with the leadership of the Food and Drugs Board and the Ghana Standards Authority, said the passage of the bill would help to define the roles of the two bodies in order to take away the seeming overlapping functions. Mr. Cadmond Dadzie, Treasurer of the Chamber, said there was the need for the two bodies to remove all bottlenecks surrounding product certification to ensure confidence and also develop the business environment. He said the complexity as well as frustrations encountered by local entrepreneurs at the offices of both the Food and Drugs Board and the Ghana Standard Authority for certification of a product had over the years hindered the growth of the local industry.   He said this had caused delays in licensing and certification of businesses in the manufacturing and food sectors and is also responsible for the low rate of growth in businesses particularly in the manufacturing sector. Mr. Dadzie added that these delays had resulted in the lack of trust in the operations and the capabilities of the two agencies resulting in the high cost of production and low investor confidence. He said agencies playing different roles had resulted in the payment of different amounts for certification of a single product.   GNA ...

Bu (U/W), Oct. 22, GNA – Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Communication Minister, has described the free Senior High School (SHS) being trumpeted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as politically opportunistic. He said the policy is unrealistic and unachievable and should not be bought by Ghanaians. “Fifty years in the history of Ghana, we have not been able to achieve free compulsory basic education and yet Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP are promising free SHS education within a period of four years”, he said. Mr. Iddrisu said this at Bu during the campaign launch of Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the newly created Nandom Constituency. The Communication Minister said the government did not just create the Nandom District but had also committed one million Ghana cedis as seed money for the Assembly. Mr. Iddrisu announced the fixing of street lights in Nandom and said the government would also construct an ICT facility connected to the internet for the people of the area. He appealed to the people to renew the mandate of the NDC to continue with its unprecedented developments towards the attainment of a “Better Ghana,” and added that the government was committed to ensuring a peaceful election.     Mr. Alban Bagbin, the Minister of Health, said the people made a mistake in the 2008 elections by not voting for Dr. Kumbuor but added that they had the opportunity to correct that mistake to pull more development to the district. Mr. Bagbin, who is contesting the Nadowli West Constituency seat for the sixth time, urged people of the Upper West Region not to buy into the propaganda being spewed by the NPP that before they left office they had secured funding for the construction of the Regional Hospital in Wa. He said government had now secured funding and the hospital would be constructed in no time. Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister and the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Sissala West, urged the people to vote for President John Dramani Mahama to complete the ongoing rural electrification project. Mr. Bede Zieden, a member of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) which had rejoined the NDC, said NDC lost the seat in 2008 because of disunity and appealed to all supporters of the DFP in the constituency to vote for the NDC to enable them recapture the seat from the NPP. Dr. Kumbuor,  the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said despite all the political provocations from opposition members in the constituency, the election would still come to pass successfully without any violence.     GNA ...