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Sam George lauds Akufo-Addo for completing project initiated by NDC

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Member of Parliament, Ningo-Prampram, Samuel George, greeting President Akufo-Addo yesterday at Afienya

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Samuel Nettey George, was full of praise for President Akufo-Addo yesterday at a ceremony to commission the six-year-old Afienya road bridge project, which is in his constituency.

It is a 900 metres road over bridge on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line at Afienya, in the Greater Accra Region to Senchi, in the Eastern Region.

The usual politics, which normally blinds the eyes political opponents, to the good works of their rival, lost its potency this time, as the MP, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), openly celebrated President Akufo-Addo for completing the road project.

“I celebrate the President for continuing this 398-million-dollar project started in 2016, but seeing completion under his term,” he remarked.

COLLECTIVENESS

The MP was particularly elated for what he believed was a testament to what collectiveness as a people, and the resolve as a nation could achieve, irrespective of partisan political differences.

He described the event to commission the road as a telling one, while recalling that the project predates President Akufo-Addo.

“This project that is being commissioned here predates His Excellency the President, but this is one telling example of how governance as a continuum benefits the ordinary Ghanaian people.”

OTHER ROADS

However, the MP requested the President to look into constructing some other roads in his constituency. In particular, he mentioned the Afienya-Dawenya road, as well as the road from Tsopoli-Old Ningo, but put a spin on the issue that the constituents invite the President to stay with them after retiring, thus the need to fix that road which he would use into the constituency.

“So that when the President is coming home, he can drive smoothly and not feel the bumps that we are feeling today. Mr. President you have the nickname ‘Addo Show Boy’; show us something in Ningo-Prampram before your term is over.”

PRAMPRAM CHIEF

The President of the Prampram Traditional Council, who is the Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area, Nene Tetteh Waka III, in his address, which followed just after that of the MP, mentioned that there was currently about ten projects being undertaken by the Akufo-Addo government in Prampram. He commended the President for such projects and wished his government well.

President Akufo-Addo, while delivering his address later, appreciated the words of commendation proclaimed by the Chief with regards to ongoing projects in the constituency.

He based on that to hope that the MP for the area, Sam George, “heard you (chief) loud and clear.”

He touched on a few of road projects ongoing, including that of the Eastern Corridor, and reiterated his commitment to working to improve road infrastructure in the country.

SAM GEORGE OVER-EXCITED

Before ending his speech, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, said Sam George, the MP, was “over-excited about the kind of work being done in the road sector of his constituency under President Akufo-Addo.”

He mentioned that the MP was aware a company was dualising the first 17 kilometres, from Tema roundabout to Ningo-Prampram constituency.

He recalled the opportunity he had to visit the project site “with him,” the MP, adding the Sam George was aware that the Afienya-Prampram road he mentioned was under construction.

“Work is going on in earnest. It is being constructed by one of the strong and key contractors in our country…and I want to assure all the people of Prampram and this area (Afienya) that under President Akufo-Addo you will continue to see what you have not seen before under roads.”

The Afienya road over bridge forms part of the main Tema-Akosombo Road currently under construction.

It was constructed as part of the new 97.7kilometre standard gauge railway line from Tema-Mpakadan, a brainchild of the first NPP government of 2001 – 2009.

President Akufo-Addo in his address acknowledged the project was approved by resolution by the 6th Parliament in 2016, as well as its credit agreement between the ministry of finance and the Eximbank of India, and the contractor, AFCONS, also from India.

World Lottery Prez in for NLA’s 60th Anniversary  

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admin
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Rebecca Paul, WLA President
Mr Dramane Coulibaly, ALA President

The National Lottery Authority will today receive the World Lottery Association President, Madam Rebecca Paul, an American, and General Secretary Lynne Roiter, a Canadian, for the first time in Ghana.

Rebecca Paul, the first woman to be elected for the coveted Position of President for the World Lottery Association has also been re-elected for a second two year term.

Madam Paul has also been instrumental in leading many reforms and championing Good Cause across the various Lottery Bodies.

Rebecca was re-elected WLA Boss in Vancouver, October this year for another term.

Together with the experienced General Secretary, Mad. Lynne Roiter and other Top Executives of the World Lottery Body will also be participating in the Seminar on Responsible Gaming, being organised by the African Lotteries

Madam Lynne Roiter, WLA Gen. Secretary

Association and hosted by the National Lottery Authority of Ghana.

The event itself will bring together about 15 African Countries, Director Generals and several Experts in the Lottery industry across the Globe.

The Responsible Gaming Seminar is a major event on the ALA Calender and will be Graced by the President of the World Lottery body.

The African Lotteries President, Mr. Dramane Coulibaly, from Ivory Coast and Younnes El- Mechrafi, General Secretary of ALA and also Vice President of the WLA will also be present.

Mr Younness El Mechrafi, ALA Gen. Secretary

The Entire Delegation will also join H.E the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Ministers of State, CEOs, MPs, Representatives of the Political Parties at the Grand Durbar of the NLA at 60.

The President is expected to grace the Grand Durbar of the NLA’s 60th Anniversary as a Special Guest of Honour on Friday, 9th December, at 4pm at the NLA Head Office in Accra.

Driver charged for using offensive weapons to attack workers

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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One of the victims on admission

A 25 year-old driver, Bashiru Seidu, together with others, have been charged with using offensive weapons to attack workers of the Trassacco Estates Development Company Limited at Borteyman, in the Greater Accra region.

Seidu and the others, including one Alhaji Abu, allegedly went to Trassacco Estates Development Company Limited site to attack the workers with pistol, pump action gun and cutlasses.

However, apart from Seidu, who was arraigned on eight different criminal counts before an Accra Circuit Court yesterday, the rest are on the run.

The court, presided over by Patricia Amponsah, was told by the Prosecuting Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong that the police were able to arrest Seidu through the aid of technology. His mobile phone was tracked to his hideout at Shukura.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, with prohibition of land guard activities, possession of arms and ammunition, and four counts of causing harm.

The court has adjourned the case to December 13, upon a prayer by the prosecution that the accused was assisting the police to conduct investigations and also, that he is a flight risk.

The brief facts

The Prosecuting Officer told the court that the complainant in the case is Nii Ayi Addo, a Coordinator of Trassacco Security Task Force, Trassacco Estates Development Company Limited.

He said on Friday, December 2, 2022 members of the above-mentioned task force and others, including Abdala Fattah, Benneh, Atsu Dade, Richard Darko and Daniel Agbenu went to the land site, measuring 48 acres at Borteyman, belonging to Trassacco Estates Development Company Limited to work.

ASP Oppong said whilst the workers were working on the land, a group of young men, including Seidu, who was holding a pistol, Alhaji Abu, carrying a pump action gun, whilst others were holding cutlasses attacked the workers.

According to him, Seidu allegedly fired several shots, but he was overpowered and his Astra MOD. A-100 pistol was retrieved from him.

The court was told that Alhaji Abu also fired warning shots with the pump action gun that he was carrying, but managed to escape.

Meanwhile, Abdala Fattah, Benneh, Atsu Dade, Richard Darko and Daniel Agbenu sustained cutlass and gun wounds.

The Regional Police Alpha Swat Unit was informed and they rushed to the scene and rescued the victims.

He said the victims were rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and 37 Military Hospital respectively, where they were treated and discharged.

However, he stated that one of the victims, Nicholas Adzare, is still on admission at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

ASP Oppong informed the court that December 3, 2022 the Police visited the scene for investigation and found blood stains and retrieved one empty shell and two BB empty cartridges.

He added that it was based on these offences that the accused was arraigned before the court, whilst efforts are underway to arrest his accomplices from their hideouts.

President inaugurates 900m Afienya Road Over Bridge project

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo cutting tape to commission the Afienya Road Over Bridge project. With him are some ministers, the MP, Prampram Chief, others
The Afienya Railway Station on the Tema-Mpakadan line

Yesterday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut tape to commission the 900m Afienya Road Over Bridge project, which forms part of the new 97.7-kilometre standard gauge railway line from Tema to Mpakadan.

The commissioning of the road now allows commuters from Tema roundabout to Eastern Region to comfortably drive over the railway line at Afienya, regardless of the time a train may be passing.

TEMA-MPAKADAN RAILWAY PROJECT

President Akufo-Addo, prior to commissioning the road, inspected ongoing works at the Afienya railway station. After the commissioning, he also inspected works on the rail bridge over the Volta Lake, which is part of the entire 97.7kilometre railway project.

The project, which credit agreement was reached between the government Ghana and the Eximbank of India, was approved by a resolution in October 2016, by the 6th Parliament, with AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd., also of India, as the contractor for the project.

In his address at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo noted that the 97.7 kilometres standard guage Tema-Mpakadan railway project was a brainchild of the first New Patriotic Party Government of 2001 – 2009.

He recalled the idea was conceived when Mr Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi was Minister for Harbours and Railways.

The railway bridge over the Volta Lake

According to President Akufo-Addo, in June 2007, the then Ministry commissioned a feasibility study for a multi-modal transport link between Tema and Buipe, through the Volta Lake.

The study, he stated, was successfully completed in 2009, stressing the economic, financial and operational feasibility of the multi-modal freight corridor.

“I have been assured by the contractor that the few outstanding works remaining on the project will be completed and the project handed over to Government for operations within the first half of next year,” he added.

The project commenced in 2018 with funding of $447m, which consists of 38 bridges among others.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT

The President, neatly dressed in his sea blue African print shirt, over a pair of trousers to match, explained that the idea was conceived to create a multi-modal transportation network, involving road, rail and lake transportation, which will facilitate the haulage of cargo and the movement of people from the southern part of the country to the northern sector, through a mix of intermodal transport systems.

However, he opined that, the over-dependency Ghana’s road network, coupled with the lack of other transport alternatives, particularly between Accra and Kumasi, resulted in congestion, rapid deterioration of roads and increases in road accidents.

He argued that the project was important, given the current transportation of domestic freight and transit freight between Accra, Tema and Northern Ghana, and further to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, being essentially road-based via Kumasi, Tamale, Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Paga.

“In particular, existing port operations at the Tema Port will be improved, resulting in reduced vessel waiting time, container dwelling time, which will improve the competitiveness of the Port, as well as lead to reduction in freight transport costs, and enhance safety,” he added.

 

The railway line on the Volta Lake

Transporting freight and transit cargo, via the Lake Transport System, President Akufo-Addo, reiterated will reduce cost of shipment and by extension, reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana.

LINKAGE 

The Tema-Mpakadan-Buipe multi-modal transport project, when successfully completed and operationalised, will link the Tema Port to the lake transport network, especially the north-south movement over a distance of some four hundred kilometres.

It will also open up the lake to the transportation of not only fuel and cement, but also containerized cargo and agricultural produce from the northern enclave and Afram Plains to the Port of Tema and other destinations.

Other economic benefits of the project include reduction of pressure on the road network, including the Eastern Corridor Roads, which are under construction.

RECORD 

“I want to put on record that, in the last five years of my administration, more construction activity in the railway sector has gone on than in any period since independence. We have laid a solid foundation, which will receive an even greater impetus by the end of my tenure in 2025. My commitment to the development of a new modern standard railway network is unwavering,” he said.

The Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu said that the Tema-Mpakadan “railway project crossing the river Volta is one of its kind in West Africa.”

Durbar of chiefs held in honour of National Chief Imam historic visit to ancestral home

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Sheikh Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu (seated left)
The Paramount Chief seated at the durbar

A Durbar of chiefs has been held in honour of the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheik Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu’s two-day historic homecoming to his ancestral home in Soro in the Upper Axim Traditional Area.

The historic visit, the first of its kind, brought together the clergy, paramount chiefs and other sub-chiefs in full regalia seated to welcome the Muslim Spiritual Leader to his ancestral home.

A committee, made up of the maternal family of Sheik Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu, together with the Office of the Chief Imam, planned the historic visit, which also saw the Chief Imam perform a sod-cutting for the building of the Islamic University in Axim..

Other members of the committee included Obaahema Ezak Nkrumah II, granddaughter to the Chief Imam, Ebusuapayin Nunuah Kaw of Nkroful, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Omanhene of Lower Axim, and Sheikh Muzu amongst other members.

The Paramount Chief of the Axim Traditional Council, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III of Eastern Nzema, and Awulae Angamatuo Gyan of Ajomoro led their sub-chiefs to the durbar in honour of the Sheikh Sharabutu.

Obaahema Nana Abiema III, Queenmother of Upper Dixcove, also led other sub-chiefs from the paramountcy to grace the homecoming.

A guard of cadets at the parade in honour of the Chief Imam

A Guard of Honour by cadets of the by Senior High Schools in Axim was mounted to welcome Sheik Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu.

The entourage of the Chief Imam included Sheikh Armiyao Shaibu, Spokesperson, Chief Sidik Gimala, Paramount Chief of Wangara, Greater Accra, Sheikh Ridwan Suleiman, Member of the Advisory Council, Alhaji Abdul Latif Abdul Salam, Protocol Director, Zongo Chief of Songhai in the Western Region, Zadik Zanua, and Zongo Chief of Half Assini amongst others.

The clergy, on the other hand, were led by Archbishop Gabriel Palmer Buckle welcomed the National Chief Imam to the durbar, with Awulae Attibrukusu III describing the visit as historic.

In describing the Chief Imam as a true icon, Attibrukusu pointed out that he contribution to preach peace during and after elections, which, most particularly, was very much appreciated. “You have demonstrated that you are capable of bringing both Muslim and Christians to live together in peace.”

Attibrukusu, who chaired the durbar of chiefs, said he was revered with such an honour to chair the durbar hosting the historic visit of the National Chief Imam.

He, however, used the occasion to remind the Chief Imam of the need to build the Islamic University on his ancestral home, Axim.

Such infrastructure, he said, would be a living testimony and legacy of the Chief Imam, and that he, as Paramount Chief, was ready to provide land for the project.

Sheikh Abdel Wahib, Regional Chief Imam, also welcoming the National Chief Imam and said they had looked forward for the historic visit, and were glad the Chief Imam could make it.

He said the homecoming of His Eminence was a religious duty in the Quran.

Archbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle, who is a native of Axim, said it was a great joy to have the National Chief Imam come from Axim. “This is not the first; I have been here, but I never dreamt Chief Imam is also a family member coming from Nzema.”

Addressing the durbar, Sheikh Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu expressed his excitement in making it to his ancestral home.

He said the last time he was here in his hometown was 40 years ago as a family member. This historic visit, the National Chief Imam said, would be the foundation of the strong relationship that had existed between Muslims and Christians.

Expressing his appreciation for the honour done him, he prayed for the chiefs and clergy to be honoured just as they had done for him.

Chief Imam holds Jummah prayers at Kamgbunli

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Sheikh Alhaji Usman Nuhu Sharabutu

On the second day of his historic visit, the National Chief Imam visited Kambungli, an entirely Muslim community in the Ellembelle District, where he joined hundreds of Muslims for the Jummah prayers.

Earlier, the Chief Imam had visited the only Islamic Senior High School in Kambungli, where he interacted with the students and management of the school.

The Headmaster, Alhaji Osman Zakaria, who welcomed the Chief Imam, highlighted some of the challenges facing the school.

He said the school, which was established in 2008, had a population of 1,011.

The school, named Uthman Bin Affani Islamic Senior High School, could not boast of an Assembly Hall, a Science Laboratory, infrastructure, and a functioning school bus.. As a result, the school was unable to admit students because of the unavailability of classrooms.

He consequently appealed to the Chief Imam to use his god office to help improve infrastructure in the school.

The Headmaster also called on corporate entities such as Ghana Gas and the Quantum Terminals, which are operating in Nzema to come to the aid of the school.

The Spokesperson of the Chief Imam, Sheik Armiyao Shaibu, in response, said the Chief Imam was concern about the infrastructural challenges bedeviling the school, and as a result, would liaise with the appropriate authorities to forward the Headmaster’s appeal to them for immediate action.

Later at the Kamgbunli Mosque, a similar durbar was held in honour of the Chief Imam, where the Member of Parliament for the area, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and the District Chief Executive (DCE), Kwasi Bonzo, were in attendance.

Addressing the durbar, Armah Kofi Buah jokingly said he had long expected the National Chief Imam to be an Nzema, considering how he conducts himself, most especially, preaching peace and the fear God, a character that one needed to be an Nzema to portray.

After Kwame Nkrumah, Paa Grant and one other the MP said would record the Chief Imam as the number 4 Nzema icon.

Present were the Omanhene of Eastern Nzema, Amihere Kpanyile, Alhaji Nuhu Ali, whose father founded the Kamgbunli township, and other dignitaries.

Opuni accuses prosecution of predicting outcome of case at Supreme Court

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni

The first accused person in the GH¢271.3 million cocoa trial, Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, has accused the prosecution of predicting the outcome of a case at the Supreme Court.

This was when the prosecution, led by the Principal State Attorney (PSA), Stella Ohene Appiah, told the trial court whilst arguing an application for certiorari, filed by Dr Opuni that: “There’s no new ground that this applicant can canvas to change the decision of the Supreme Court.”

The statement pushed Dr Opuni’s Counsel, Samuel Cudjoe, to rise from his seat to protest, but was quickly asked by the prosecutor to sit down, because she was on her feet.

Mr Cudjoe told the court that the prosecutor had made reference to an application that she has not had the opportunity to appreciate its content.

Mrs Ohene Appiah told Mr Cudjoe to stop interjecting her, as he is a senior lawyer and that when he was on his feet arguing the application, she did not say anything.

After the heated exchanges between the legal practitioners, the Criminal Division ‘1’ of the Accra High Court, presided over by a Supreme Court Justice, Clemence Honyenuga, adjourned the ruling of the application to today, December 7, 2022.

The application 

Mr Codjoe told the court that they have filed an application for certiorari or a perpetual injunction to restrain the judge from going on with the trial.

Arguing the application, he made reference to the case of the Republic vs the Land Court, Accra, suit no J5/62/2020 exparte Kennedy Agyapong, which the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision held that the trial High Court judge was wrong when he refused to adjourn a matter after his attention had been drown to the fact that there was a pending application for certiorari and prohibition against him in the Supreme Court.

He said, On page 29 of this unreported judgement, the Supreme Court, speaking through Kulendi JSC held as follows: “…I have referred extensively to this portion of the ruling, which ruling is binding on his Lordship and which is to the effect that when application of certiorari and prohibition is filed, the court has to stay proceedings until that application is held.

“Indeed, this decision is a departure from the earlier decisions, including Exparte Daniel, which is to the effect that the mere filing of an application for prohibition or certiorari does not stay proceedings. Exparte Daniel was reported in 2003/2004 in the Supreme Court Ghana Report (p364).

The position of law is that if a decision from the Supreme Court departs from an earlier decision, the inference is that the previous decision is not a good law. Under Article 129(3) of the constitution, the Supreme Court is not bound by its previous decision and would depart from it, if it considers it fit and proper. And as soon as it changes its position, all other courts, including the high court, is bound by it.

It is based on this principle that …When application of this nature is filed, you adjourn it to await the decision of the Supreme Court. My lord, nothing has changed and as you held yesterday, this court is bound by the decision of the Supreme Court in the Exparte Kennedy Agyapong case, where the Supreme Court held that in stances where application of this nature are filed, it’s unlawful and erroneous for a judge to proceed with a case.

My lord, based on this fact, we submit that your lordship should adjourn this matter to 20th December and anything apart from that would be wrongful.

Meanwhile this is what transpired after the submission;

Stella: this court is free …

Court: Are you prepared to answer him?

Prosecution: Yes. There’s nothing before my lord by way of application by the same. In the Exparte Kennedy Agyapong case that counsel partially cited. My lord, in that case there was an application for stay pending and that was brought to the court attention but…

Counsel: That is not true. You must tell the truth.

Prosecution: Sit down…There is no application for stay. An application for judicial review by itself does not stay the hand of the court by itself. We are prepared to go on with the case and we leave it to the court whether to decide in favour of this obviously desperate applicant who has resulted to filing all manner of frivolous applications before this very court and the supreme court, in a desperate attempt to suffice the trial, all these without success on each occasion.

My lord, this is the third time or so, if my memory serves me right, that this court have had to come up against applications of certiorari and prohibitions against the court. And in each case, the Supreme Court had dismissed the applicant’s application. There’s no new ground that this applicant can canvas to change the decision of the Supreme Court.

Counsel: You are predicting the Supreme Court

Prosecution: Stop this, you are a senior lawyer. Even if the applicant seeks to bring the issue of my lord’s to conclude this case which was granted by the honourable Chief Justice, which is the reason for this new application and because the Supreme Court has had the opportunity to thoroughly consider and decide on the issue of Article 139 and 145 of the 1992 Constitution. We are saying that we are ready to continue with the case and we leave it for your discretion.

Nutififa Nutsukpi, Counsel for A2 & 3: Respectfully, my lord, we are limited to the extent that we have not seen the process that is in issue.

However, learning from the court rulings with similar applications, the court stayed its hands on those occasions, no matter how inconvenient it must have.

As the good book says all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial. So while the honourable court may have the power regardless of the tendency…what would be the optics, considering the court’s similar ruling on similar applications as the court has said justice must not only be done but must be seen manifestly being done.

The court is guided by its rules in similar applications so that sanctity and justice would be served.

Court: The case is adjourned to 7/12/22 for ruling.

Editorial: Are the attacks on Dede Ayew justified?

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

When the former Captain of the senior national soccer team, Asamoah Gyan, missed the penalty kick that would have qualified Ghana to the Semi-Finals during the 2010 World Cup, hosted by South Africa, he came under severe attacks back home.

In fact, some of the commentaries went beyond criticisms to outright insults being rained on the footballer and his family. After this incident, Asamoah Gyan, two years later, missed another penalty against Zambia in the 2012 AFCON, hosted by Equatorial Guinea. Ghanaians did not spare him for the unfortunate miss.

Asamoah Gyan’s mother, who could no more take the harsh criticisms on her son, reportedly advised him (Asamoah) to stop taking penalty kicks for the Black Stars. The footballer respected the advice of his mom and refused to take penalty kicks anytime he played for the national team. It was during the latter part of his illustrious career that he started taking spot kicks again.

Obviously, Ghanaians were peeved that Asamoah could not score from the spot kick to enable Ghana qualified for the semi-finals and make history as the first African country to reach that level. Here is a player who has played and scored many important goals for his country, but Ghanaians did not take these achievements into consideration, and rather descended heavily on him.

Twelve years down memory lane, the current skipper of the team, Andre Morgan Ayew, son of one of Ghana’s football legends, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’, has also suffered the same fate.

It is important to note that the infringement that led to the penalty Asamoah unfortunately missed, would have resulted in a goal if Luis Suarez had not stopped the ball from entering the net with his hands.

Because of this vicarious situation, Ghanaians were waiting for the day Ghana will meet Uruguay so that we can also seek revenge. When the two nations – Ghana and Uruguay – by providence, therefore, found themselves in the same group for the ongoing mundial, many were those who thought the opportunity has presented itself for the current crop of Black Stars to seek revenge. Unfortunately, Andre Ayew missed a penalty against the same team that had forced a bitter pill down our throat some twelve years ago.

The penalty miss also changed the course of the game in favor of the South Americans, who went ahead to score two quick goals and kick Ghana out of the tournament.

It was upon the basis of this that Ghanaians, like they did to Asamoah Gyan, have turned their anger on Dede and are pounding him like fufu in public.

Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’, his father, perfectly understands this negative side of football and may not be bothered about the bashing of his son, but what about Dede’s immediate family – wife and children.

Can they take such attacks with ease?  Already, there are reports that Mr Andre Ayew’s seven year old daughter collapsed after her father missed the penalty we are discussing.

If the girl, at this tender age, can collapse because her father missed a penalty kick, what would happen if she hears or reads in the media about the way Ghanaians are attacking her father for that penalty miss?

Yes, Dede like Asamoah Gyan are footballers, but as the Ghanaian adage goes, “it is the one who goes to the river side to fetch water that would break the pot.” The Chronicle does not think both Asamoah Gyan and Dede Ayew would be happy to have missed these penalty kicks.

Ghanaians make mistakes in their work places, but it does not mean they are incompetent. The same people cannot, therefore, cry foul when a footballer makes a mistake.

The Chronicle is, therefore, calling on the football loving fans in the country to tone down on their harsh criticisms of the young man.

If the trend of always attacking footballers anytime they make mistakes continue, a time will come when they (footballers) will also run away from playing for the national team.

Great footballers like Maradona, Baggio, Ronaldo (of Brazil), Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and a host of others have all missed penalty kicks before, so Asamoah Gyan and Dede are not exceptions. This is another reason why we must tone down with the criticisms of our players anytime they miss the spot kicks.

The game of football at the world cup level involves players representing their nations in tension packed games, sometimes spilling into political rivalries, for instance when U.S.A played Iran in the ongoing world cup.

As a result the margins of error in the games become magnified and we vilify the poor players for very little mistakes, which we all commit in our various spheres of work.

Let us not use a sledge hammer to kill a fly, otherwise, we will demoraliee the players and make them lose interest in playing for the national team.

Artisans Union marks 10th Anniversary in Kumasi

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admin
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Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nwantakesehene, Life Patron of AAG

The Artisans Association of Ghana (AAG), a non- profit making organisation with a current membership of over 30,000, including youth and women, has marked its 10th Anniversary in Kumasi. The theme for the celebration was:”Artisans – the Backbone of the Economy.”

The three-day celebration saw its members embark on a heath walk, training workshop, award night and a grand durbar.

Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nwantakesehene, who was the Guest Speaker, advised the union members to unite and form cooperatives to seek financial assistance from the government to expand their businesses and help the economy grow.

Nana Boakye, who was appointed the Life Patron, pledged his commitment to ensuring the growth of the Association.

Dr. Nana Offei Ammanor, Chief Executive Officer of Abotare Clinic in Kumasi, who deputised for Nana Opare Kwafo I, a Kingmaker of Aburi, as Chairman, advised the artisans to be ambassadors of the Association and ensure that the structures and systems were made to work.

The President of the Association, Mr. Gideon Yao Bidor, announced that the Association had trained 28,000 youth and 9,000 electricians, as well as 3,000 welders and machine operators, for free between 2015 and 2022.

Mr. Bidor announced that the Association planned to build a training center to train more people in the county to meet international standards. He further disclosed that the major challenge facing the Association borderd on financial capability.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas Macjulius Agyekum has appealed to parents to help their children to learn a vocation as a way to move the nation forward through industrialisation.

Stakeholders join forces to improve educational infrastructure challenge @ Akrofuom

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Stakeholders gathered in front of the classroom block commissioned at Betenase in the Akrofrom District

A three-unit classroom block has been commissioned at Betenase in the Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region in an effort to bridge the educational infrastructure gap in the district, which was begun in 2018.

This adds up to the plethora of infrastructural projects and interventions in the educational sector rolled out by the Assembly to address challenge in the area.

The huge educational infrastructure deficit in Akrofuom District was gradually being confronted to the relief of students and teachers in the District.

The ancillary facility aims to enhance access to Junior High School education at Betenase.

At a short handing over ceremony, Maurice Jonas Woode, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, assured the people of Akrofuom that the Assembly would continue to provide the needed social amenities to better their lives.

On the communal initiative to construct teachers’ bungalow to facilitate academic activities, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akrofuom Constituency, Mr. Alex Blankson, commended the idea and promised to provide the ceiling and painting to facilitate the completion of the project.

In an attempt to safeguard the area, Blankson disclosed of plans to provide a police station and clinic for the community.

On his part, Mr. George Sarfo Kantanka, District Director of Education (DDE), expressed appreciation to the Assembly and charged the chiefs and elders of Betenase to continue to initiate projects for the area, and not necessarily rely on the government for support.

He implored the elders and the school leadership to take good care of the facility.

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