Sunyani, Nov. 22, GNA – Bechem Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC) defeated Kajaji SHS 4-3 at the on-going Brong-Ahafo Regional Inter-Schools and Colleges Soccer Competition at the Sunyani Coronation Park.      PRESEC, defending champions were down by two goals in the early stages of the game before pulling one back before half time.      On resumption, Kajaji increased the tally to 3-1, before PRESEC rallied back to score three goals to seal victory.   In other matches, Jinijini SHS (JINSS) beat Odomaseman SHS (ODASS) 2-0,  Ahafoman also eased past PRANSECO 1-0 whilst Koase Secondary/Technical also dumped Abesim Olistar by a similar scoreline .   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Hearts of Oak's new coach, David Duncan, will have to contend with Liberty Professionals in his journey to recovery when the two sides lock horns on Sunday, in a week eight clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.   Duncan passed his mock test last weekend after managing a draw against bitterest rivals, Asante Kotoko and faces his real test against city rivals, Liberty Professionals, in what will be his second game under the eagle eyes of the Phobians.   Liberty, currently riding on a crest wave on the wings of in-form Kennedy Ashia have yet to taste defeat in their previous five games and serve the right tonic to check the firmness of the new Hearts of Oak guided by Duncan.   The Dansoman lads have the better record in recent matches between the two sides including a double last season and exude confidence in their quest to maintain their encouraging status which, coach George Lamptey has openly declared maximum commitment to.   After their victory over Aduana Stars, which Lamptey tagged as their renaissance, the “Scientific Soccer Lads” have been unstoppable at both home and outside, raking in 11-points of the possible 15.   Against Kotoko, Duncan introduced fresh limbs such as Robin Gnagne, Ali Alhassan and amongst others and it is widely expected that he would carved a blend of his team for the Liberty duel.   Still in the capital, Tema Youth will square Asante Kotoko at the Port City of Tema in a battle which could go either way. The hosts, which boasts youthful players such as Moses Odjer, Francis Narh, Derrick Appiah and Kofi Mensah have yet to lose a game at home and the Porcupine Warriors must sharpen their dull attack to twist the result their way.   Last season, the two sides settled for a stalemate at the same venue and for Kotoko, the maximum points will serve the perfect catalyst in their quest to occupy the apex of the standings before the end of the first round.   Another encounter expected to be full of thrills will be that at the Robert Mensah Stadium, where Ebusua Dwarfs will play host to leaders Berekum Chelsea. The encounter, the first for the homers in front of their fans after an eight-match home ban means a lot to Dwarfs who have set sights on a blissful homecoming.   At the Golden City Park, Berekum Arsenals will seek for their first win of the season against AshantiGold whilst Edubiase are tipped to send Real Tamale United back to their base empty when they face-off at the Bekwai Park.   Dethroned leaders, Medeama welcomes debutants Amidaus Profesionals to the T&A Park in Tarkwa whilst King Faisal and Wa All Stars wrestle each other at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.   The action begins on Saturday with Aduana Stars and Heart of Lions facing off at the Dormaa Park.       GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Mr Kabral Blay–Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), on Thursday launched the Guidelines for Political Advertising with a call on the media to abide by them or face the Commission’s wrath.   Mr Amihere expressed the NMC’s preparedness to take on any media house that might go contrary to the rules and regulations spelt out in the guidelines to ensure sanity as far as political advertisements in the country are concerned.   He called on media houses to pay particular attention to Sections 14 and 16 of the Guidelines which talked about Incitement and Political Advertising on Election Day respectively.   Mr Amihere expressed concern about the decline of journalistic ethics in the country and urged journalists to be circumspect in their utterances and reportage in order not to plunge the country into chaos.   “Journalists in countries like Kenya, Ivory Coast and Rwanda have been hurled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague, not because they pulled guns, but because of their choice of words,” he said.   He called on Ghanaians to sustain the serene and peaceful atmosphere that existed in the country amidst vigorous political campaigns as the general election approaches.   “It’s good to note that amidst all the tensions as the elections approach, we have remained and continue to remain peaceful,” he said.   Mr Blay-Amihere, who is a former ambassador to Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, appealed to the media to give a fair and leveled ground to all political parties.   He called for effective gate keeping and editing to flush issues that had the potential to cause mayhem.   He said the NMC failed to come out with the guidelines on time due to lack of funding, and praised STAR-Ghana, DANIDA, UKAID and the USAID for their sponsorship adding that the guidelines would be applied in subsequent elections.   Mr Blay-Amihere, who was the head of the committee that came out with the guideline, appealed to journalists and the various media houses to corporate with the NMC for its successful implementation.   He called for the establishment of an in-house committee in all media houses to oversee and scrutinize all political ads to ensure that they met NMC’s standards before broadcast.   Mr Akoto Ampaw, Head of the NMC Legal Team, said the commission had been mandated by the Constitution to ensure high journalistic standards in the mass media.   He said media houses did not wield much control on the content of political advertisements because, most of the time, these ads were usually prepared by the political parties and only brought to the media houses to be broadcast.   Mr Ampaw said the guidelines were to uphold the peace and sanity enjoyed by the country and to prevent exploitation, incitement and needless tension in the country as a result of political advertisements.   “This is also to enable the people to make the right decisions as to who to vote for and to ensure that messages are not distorted or inciting,” he said.   Mr Ampaw complained about abuse of incumbency on the part of state media houses by broadcasting the successes of government "as if it is the normal government agencies giving out their normal information on government programmes and achievements to the public."   “We believe that during the last two months to elections, the state media should not broadcast these usual achievements of government,” he said.   Issues treated in the guidelines include Children in Political Advertising, Political Advertising during News Bulletins,  False and Misleading Advertising, Prejudice and Discrimination and Identification of Political Advertising.   Others are Misrepresentation, Premium Rate, Life Presenter Mention, Abuse of Incumbency, Technical Standards, and Disguise in Political Advertising.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Ebusua Dwarfs has set their sights on victory against Berekum Chelsea this weekend as they return to their favourite Robert Mensah Stadium, for the first time in eight months.   Dwarfs will play host to leaders Berekum Chelsea in their week eight clash of the 2012/2013 Premier League on Sunday, in their first ever game since the completion of their eight-match ban, and head coach Professor Joseph Mintah is looking forward to a positive output on their return home.   The Cape Coasters were banned eight matches after a group of their supporters assaulted referee Patrick Kyeremateng in their league clash against Aduana Stars last season, which the visitors won by a solitary strike.   Professor Mintah told GNA Sports playing in front of their teeming fans will serve both negative and positive effects, after such a long absence away from their preferred grounds.   “It will have both negative and positive effects since the team has been away for a long time. We would have loved to play some particular matches at home but the ban made it impossible.   “But I will prefer my team plays to instructions rather than the gallery due to the presence of the fans. The most important thing is we have to win the game which like any other game has three points at stake.”   The United States-trained tactician rued the effect of having to be on the road each weekend for matches, adding that it brought so much stress on his players.    “We were really affected by fatigue as we had to travel outside for games. At one point, I almost gave up because I got tired. However, we managed to put ourselves together and carried on.”   On the clash with Chelsea, Professor Mintah admits a tough opposition with three points separating the two sides.   “Chelsea is one of the best sides in the country if not the best. They have good players and made an impact in the recent CAF Champions League.   “We are going to play our game for the three points. We are ready for them and will work towards our target.”   Dwarfs has won their previous two games, beating King Faisal (1-0) and Wa All Stars (2-1) both away from home.       GNA...

Elmina, Nov.22, GNA - Mrs. Joyce Datsa, a Senior Athletics Coach from the National Sports Council has advocated for the introduction of children athletics at the basic level since it was simple and could be done  anywhere.   In this regard, she has asked teachers to take the training of children in athletics seriously and that children should not be forced against their will, rather be encouraged to participate in athletics willingly .   Mrs Datsa said this on Thursday, at the launch of a two- day Kids Athletics Programme  organized by the British Council In collaboration with U.K Sports and United Nations International Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF).   The programme also organized training for teachers from selected basic schools in the  Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District on how to deliver entertaining, attractive, accessible and instructive athletics to children between the ages of six  and 12.     The British Council through the International Inspiration program  which is currently working in 10 Senior High Schools across the country seek to use the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sports, and fun to enrich the lives of millions of children and the youth in schools and communities across the world.     The programme is also to roll out Kids Athletics across all districts in the country by the year 2014.      Mrs. Datsa who is also the International Association for Athletics Federation (IAAF) kid athletics lecturer discouraged the practice of weighing children before allowing  them to participate in athletics, stressing that it was not fair on the part of the kids who were overweight because some of them  despite their weight could be very good sportsmen.      She also advised teachers not to make sport training appear like a punishment rather a source of fun for the children and warned against discrimination as well as endeavour to  give every child the chance to  participate to enable them acquire the  requisite skills and talents.       Mrs. Elizabeth Adawu-Mensah, the Deputy Director of Human Resource of the Elmina Municipal Education Office said such programs were opportunities for teachers to acquire new knowledge and skills and impact it on the children to broaden their horizon.    GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Vodafone has replicated in Ghana its world class standard retail store along the High Street of Accra to deliver enhanced customer experience meeting every client need on its network.   “This is the same in terms of Vodafone’s global retail standard store in the UK and we are proud to make this happen in Ghana,” Kyle Whitehill, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, who said on Thursday noted, the aim would be completed if the workers worked with a sense of dedication to render reliable and customer friendly service.      The store, which comprised state-of-the–art internet café, WiFi Zone providing the fastest high speed internet connectivity in Africa, has also incorporated, the first ever, Vodafone Business Solutions (VBS) lounge to serve clients.   The VBS lounge comes with a video conferencing facility which will enable VBS customers to interact and work their partners at the store.   “This store is world class and is now Vodafone Ghana’s flagship store which will be replicated in other regions of the country,” Derek Appiah, Head of VBS told the Ghana News Agency at the opening.   He said the aim was to give Vodafone's cherished customers convenience and value.   Vodafone Ghana so far has ten retail stores and is planning to open another big one in Tema that will be fitted with more exciting features before the end of the year.   As a global brand with footprints all over the world, Vodafone Ghana is currently leading in customer experience and innovations with its products and services in the country.   The company in collaboration with Microsoft has currently made all its mobile broadband devices compatible with the Windows Operating System launched recently in Ghana.   Customers who now have the Vodafone Broadband mobile devices can use Windows 8 without the need to download or install new software or drivers.   In addition, Vodafone Ghana has announced it will introduce to its customers in Ghana this week the latest HTC Windows 8 mobile phone.   GNA...

Damang, (W/R), Nov. 22, GNA- Aboso Goldfields Limited, Damang Mine, has awarded 98 workers for their  immense contribution  towards the development of the company.      The workers who have served from five to 10 years received table top fridges, 10 bags of cement and two packets of roofing sheets.       Mr Christo Viljoe, General Manager of the company, said the award ceremony has been instituted for years is to recognise and acknowledge the workers long and meritorious service.     Mr Viljoen said it was through their persistent devotion to duty that they are being awarded and  urged other members of staff to be inspired by demonstrating good work values such as punctuality, loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, commitment and hard work.      He expressed gratitude to the recipients of the award and other personnel  for their commitment and effort to help make the mine's vision a reality.      Mrs Esther Peprah Nyame, one of the award winners on behalf of his colleagues expressed appreciation to management  for the honour.    GNA...

Nsawkaw (B/A), Nov.22,  GNA – Mr Edward Gyamfi, Tain District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) has appealed to the political parties not to encourage registered minors to queue and vote on the December 7 General Election.       He said the political parties should also appoint trustworthy agents to the polling stations while the agents should refrain from confronting eligible voters.       Mr Gyamfi made the appeal at a workshop attended by 50 youth representatives of political parties at Nsawkaw in the Brong Ahafo Region.       The workshop on the theme: “Empowering the Youth to Stand up for Ghana for a Peaceful Election 2012”, was organised by the District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and sponsored by the European Union.   Mr Issah Abdullahi Nasagri, Regional Director of the NCCE, urged State institutions involved in ensuring peaceful elections to be fair to all the political parties.        Mr Saaka Davis Kotomah, District Director of NCCE, asked the youth to refrain from acts likely to mar the peace of Election 2012.   GNA...

Akosombo, (ER), Nov. 22, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday embarked on a three-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region with an appeal to the electorate to vote massively to return National Democratic Congress into power.   He also appealed to them to conduct themselves professionally and diligently, since political elections are about trading of ideas, programmes and issues and not the use of violence to wrest power from opponents.   President Mahama who started the campaign tour at Akosombo would among other areas visit Somanya, Agormanya, Koforidua, Begoro, Adukrom, Okere and Kyebi.   He would also interact with chiefs, inspect and inaugurate development projects  region and hold meetings with the party hierarchy.   The President explained that the four years started by late President John Evans Atta Mills was for the laying of development foundation and victory for him in the 2012 general election would consolidate the gains.   He said his government would not engage in untenable promises, but would rather continue to initiate human-centred programmes that would enhance individuals and groups in the  society.     President Mahama said government in the last four years built 12 new district hospitals, 10 new Polyclinics and 130 CHPS compounds throughout the country and promised to do better given the opportunity in the elections.   GNA...

Koforidua Nov. 22 GNA - Mr Samuel A. Bawa, Eastern Regional Coordinating Director, has commended Municipal and District Assemblies in the area for the timely submission of monthly trial balance.      He noted that this was an improvement upon performance of the assemblies in previous years, and said: “in terms of revenue performance, majority of the assemblies have achieved higher percentage, in collection”.      Mr Bawa was speaking at a four-day workshop on accounting procedures and composite budgeting, for staff of the assemblies, including Coordinating Directors, Finance Officers and Internal Auditors, in Koforidua.      He appealed to the assemblies to improve upon revenue collection, check financial malfeasance, and ensure judicious use of resources.      Mr Bawa expressed worry that according to previous Auditor General’s report, some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) engaged in corruption and malfeasance.      He said: “This situation can be reversed if there is strict adherence to financial regulations”.      Mr Bawa commended the Local Government Service Secretariat, for organizing programmes to train the participants in proper financial administration.      Mr Victor Donkor, Director of Accounts, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, said accounting procedures and composite budgeting training would provide guidelines for MMDAs to undertake prudent financial management.   He said it would also serve as a reference for training finance officers of (MMDAs) and related staff.      Mr Donkor asked the finance officers to improve their capacity so that they could properly advice Chief Executives of the MMDAs and Coordinating Directors on how to utilize funds.      He also urged the finance officers and coordinating directors to liaise with internal auditors so that they could work within legal and regulatory guidelines.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – The government says the conduct of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo at Wednesday’s IEA Presidential Debate gives cause for grave concern ahead of the December 7 General Election.   A statement signed by Deputy Minister of Information Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said: “Nana Addo on two occasions in a relatively short period of less than two hours exhibited a regrettable penchant for violence and intolerance which must be of worry to all Ghanaians especially as we approach the elections.”   Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa cited Nana Addo’s “reckless posture” on our relations with Cote d’Ivoire and the “embarrassingly violent charge” on the moderators of the presidential debate as “the two frightening low points in Nana Addo’s outing”.   The following is the full text of the statement. “On Ivory Coast, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said it was most unpatriotic and reckless for a Ghanaian citizen running for the high office of President to insist that Ghana was harbouring dissidents and was a threat to peace in Cote d’Ivoire.   The insistence of Nana Addo even in the face of contrary evidence from President John Mahama was most shocking. Clearly, Nana Addo did not care about the implications of his confrontational utterances. “Government added that our relations with Cote d’Ivoire were at a stage where mature diplomacy and tact were required and not cheap partisan recklessness from politicians who insist on winning political power ‘at all cost’.   “Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa further stated that it was inappropriate for a presidential candidate regardless of his parochial motivations to give credence to unsubstantiated allegations making rounds in the international press more so at a time some elements in Cote d’Ivoire are making a claim on portions of our oil and gas find in a delicate border dispute.   The conduct of Nana Addo in this matter which has the tendency to raise tensions between both countries and eventually degenerate into conflict must be condemned by all peace loving Ghanaians. “Government took the opportunity to assure all Ghanaians and the international community that Ghana under President John Mahama will not become a rogue state neither will she become a haven for charlatans who seek to destabilize the peace in other countries.   “Government also condemned Nana Addo’s unprovoked attack on the debate moderators when he charged on them immediately after the debate.   Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this unwarranted attack on the helpless moderators whose only ‘offence’ was that they denied Nana Addo the right of rebuttal during the closing remarks segment which was the correct thing to do according to the established rules of the IEA Debate Committee was most lawless, intolerant and an unworthy example of a politician touted as a democrat.   “Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said though Nana Addo was living up to his reputation as the man who owns the copyright to ‘All die be die’, he must be told now that his penchant for violence will not be countenanced by peace loving Ghanaians especially at this crucial time of our nation’s history where the citizenry demand of their politicians to play by the rules and accept the verdict of the people.”   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Techno Ghana Limited (TGL) on Thursday launched an N3 android 2.3 smart phone at a ceremony organised in Accra.   The dual SIM phone is equipped with a 3.5 capacity touch screen, a camera and video, 800MHz processor and memory of 512MM ROM.   The phone is also fitted with Google play and WhatsApp.   Mr Derek Nkrumah, General Manager of Operations for the TGL expressed optimism that the phone would meet the growing need of the company’s cherished customers.     GNA  ...

Koforidua, Nov. 22, GNA- The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood, has asked parents whose under-aged children registered for the December polls not to allow them to vote to ensure free and fair elections.        She said though voting is fundamental human right the casting of ballot by minors was an offence.        Mrs Wood was speaking at the 11th Chief Justice Forum,  on the theme: “Access to justice, a tool for peace and stability”,     in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on Thursday.   The Chief Justice reminded Ghanaians that the 1992 Constitution mandates only persons who are 18 years and above to vote, and appealed to the people to observe electoral rules to ensure free and fair polls on December 7.      Mrs Wood said measures have been initiated to deal with electoral disputes and that ‘’ the Judicial Service has increased the number of high courts dedicated to hear and determine electoral disputes by including all courts in the regional capitals and in Accra.”      She said Judges would be required to sit on electoral cases at weekends and public holidays to ensure speedy adjudication.      The Chief Justice said the Judiciary, which is not above the law and accountable to the people, had a responsibility to promote peace and stability.   Professor Kofi Kumado, of the Faculty of Law, the University of Ghana, who gave an insight into the role of the Judiciary, and an election manual for judges, cautioned that minors, who would cast their votes in Election 2012, could be prosecuted.     He said in adjudicating electoral cases, ‘’judges must be guided by the long learning of the law at the law school, the judicial oath they had taken and their conscience to ensure that judgment would be acceptable and rational to all parties involved.”      Prof. Kumado asked the public to bear with Judges in the discharge of their duties because Judges exploit the law and the constitution to arrive at their decisions, coupled with the fact that most courts are not automated and Judges have to write judgments.      Mr Kwasi Amoako Adjei, the Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association, said the association would assist in the adjudication of electoral cases.   He, however, urged politicians to explore other means of resolving electoral disputes, other than the court, which often leave people in some constituencies without parliamentary representation for long period.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - A technical committee of the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee has been inaugurated to consider all post migration issues of the Single Spine Salary Stucture (SSSS), except those related to the grading structures of institutions.   The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwabena Duffour inaugurated the Committee on Tuesday, which is also expected to provide all technical details necessary to guide negotiations of the base pay, pay point relativity and allowances in the Categories 2 & 3 allowances.   A brief statement from the Public Affairs Unit of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Thursday said, “This is in furtherance of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure, which is a major component of the Single Spine Pay Policy.”   The Committee is made up of representatives from the Organized Labour and Government. The members from Organized Labour include Dr. Yaw Baah (Deputy General Secretary, Trades Union Congress (TUC); Mr. B.K. Osei, Head Compensation & Working Conditions, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT); Dr. Kwarteng, Ghana Medical Association; and Alexander Dakuso Kakraba, University teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).   The members from the government team include Dr. Alhassan Iddrissu, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP); Mr. Oku Afari, MOFEP; Mr. George Smith-Graham, FWSC; Mr. Andrews Kingsley Kwadwo Kufe, Controller and Accountant General Department, (CAGD); Mr. Joseph N.K. Gadikor, FWSC; Mr. Simon Kyei, Director of Budget, MOFEP; Magnus Ebo Duncan, Ghana Statistical Service and Edmund Siaw Akugbey, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW).   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA –      Kwame Boateng, a 23-year -old trader has is standing trial at the Kumasi Gender Court for abducting a 16-year-old female junior high school student.      He was granted a bail of GH¢5,000.00 with two sureties in the court presided over by Mrs Rita Agyemang-Budu and he is to reappear on December 13.   Police Chief Inspector Philip Yao Bebli told the court that Georgina Tabi, the mother of the victim, lives together with her at Abrepo, in Kumasi.      Boateng also resides at Hiawu-Besease in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District, and carries out his trading activities at Kejetia-Morocco.      On October 24, the accused met the girl and proposed love to her and followed it up by buying her food and two pairs of slippers.      The prosecution said the accused convinced her to follow him to his house where he kept her for six days, during which period he had repeated sexual intercourse with her.       The worried mother, who did not know the whereabouts of the daughter, made a formal report to the Suame police and caused announcements to be made on various FM radio stations.        The girl returned to the house on November 2, and was sent to the police station, where she gave out Boateng.        She led the police to the accused person who was arrested.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA – Three suspected robbers, who attacked a taxi driver and snatched the car at gun point at Akasasi, a farming community in the Ahafo-Ano South District have been arrested.     Steven Ali, Peter Abokyi alias “Rasta” and Fuseini Iddrisu are being held by the police at Mankranso.     Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vitus Napen, District Commander, who confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency, said the alleged robbery happened on Friday, November 16.     Ali had engaged the services of the driver, Mohammed Dauda, to carry him from Mankranso to Akasasi at about 1800 hours.      Midway through the journey Ali pulled a pistol and ordered him to stop and switch off the engine, which he did.      The Police Commander said all of a sudden the two other suspects, emerged from the bush, also holding locally made pistols, to join their colleague.      They forcibly seized from Dauda, his cellular phone and daily sales of GH¢56.00. They also tied his hands and legs, blindfolded and sealed his lips with a tape and dumped him in the bush.       They attempted to flee with the taxi but the engine did not start.       DSP Napen said the alertness of a driver belonging to the local taxi union led to the arrest of the three.        He noticed the robbers running as he approached the scene with his vehicle and quickly informed the police.          The police swiftly responded, freed Dauda and recovered the vehicle.          A manhunt was launched by the police and people in the area for the suspected criminals and this paid off as they were apprehended before they could escape in a commercial bus.          Dauda identified them as those who attacked him and a search on them uncovered screw drivers, pliers and kitchen knives.          He said the police believe they might have hidden the guns, phone and money in the bush.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA- The Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG), has expressed outrage against Israel for the latest aggression against the people of Palestine in Gaza which has resulted in many innocent people losing their lives or getting wounded.   At a press conference organised in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Kwasi Pratt, a member of the SFG said the continues aggression by Israel against Palestine is an evidence of the impunity of the Jewish State, which is hell bent on defying world public opinion and international law in its brazen attempt to violate the political, economic and social rights of Palestinians.      He said, since the attack some few days ago, more than 100 Palestinians, mostly innocent women and children had been murdered by Israel with 1000 more seriously wounded.   Mr Pratt said Israel would stop at nothing to enforce its harsh colonial rule on the people who have been dispossessed of their land.   He said the 22-day war of aggression in 2008-2009 Israel code-named “Operation Cast Lead”1,400 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,000, fitting perfectly into “a pattern of assassinations, imprisonment without charge or trial, sabotage of the Palestinian national economy and thievery of Palestinian resources”.   According to Mr Kwasi Pratt, Israel has over the years achieved notoriety as the world’s prime threat to peace.   He said apart from supporting apartheid in South Africa and annexing Arab lands in Syria and Lebanon, it has continued to subvert the national security of Sudan by bombing the country in an unprovoked aggression a couple of weeks ago.   He claimed that, in spite of its war mongering and aggressive attitude, some western countries especially the United States have assisted Israel to stockpile nuclear weapons, adding: “Israel is the only country in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf which has a stock pile of nuclear weapons even as it refuses to sign international treaties guarding against the proliferations of such weapons.”      As part of measures to safeguard the peace and security of the people of Palestine and that of the world at large, Mr Kwasi Pratt called on the international community to take steps to inspect and control Israel’s nuclear arsenal.   He said the world should insist that Israel accept the United Nations resolutions on the rights of the Palestinian people including the right of refugees to return to their homelands and also hold the Israeli authorities responsible for crimes committed against humanity including crimes it has executed in Iran, Lebanon, Syria and many other places.       “The SFG is also calling on the government of Ghana to bring pressure on Israel through the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Union to abide by the norms of decency in international relations and to refrain from acts of aggression against other states.   “We are also calling for an immediate end to the aggression against Gaza and the blockade of the coastal strip,” he added.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has fumed over the deliberate attempt by political parties to relegate the issues of sports to the background in the run up to the 2012 general elections.   In a statement copied to GNA Sports, the Association said it has observed with keen interest, how the flag bearers on all platforms including the recent Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debates relegated issues of sports to the back ground.   It said a study of the manifestoes of the two leading parties political parties; National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) demonstrates that though they both captured issues of talent identification and grooming, education and sports, as well as sports infrastructure development, they have failed to use various platforms to further elaborate on those policies, with regards to timing and funding.   “Having observed the political discourse over the last few months, SWAG has noted with great concern the absence of sports related issues from the various political parties, a situation we consider fatal, considering the significant role sports has played in the country over the past years.   “Indeed, sports has over the years served as an instrument for peace and unity; it has also gone beyond its status as an instrument of entertainment but serious business with countries making lot of money from player transfers, participation and organising international events as well as enhanced economic progress of millions of individuals, who engage in sports.   “It will interest the political parties to note that, the Ministry of Sports in Brazil has projected a whopping 105 billion dollars into their economy after hosting international events such as the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.   “Out of this, 78 billion dollars is expected to come from indirect investments; that is recirculation of money from the event and 710, 000 jobs are expected to be generated from the events.”   It added; “It will be great interest for the politicians to note that, Argentina is largest supplier of football talents to Europe having deliberately developed a policy to groom and nurture talents for sale in Europe.   “Argentina, has now taken over from Brazil as the largest supplier of talents to Europe and statistics indicated over 1,716 footballers were groomed and sold in  Europe by Argentina and they made 117mliion dollars from such transfers according to Sports Marketing Company; Euroamericas.   “With barely two weeks to go for the elections, we are convinced that they can still do a better job by making sports part of their agenda,” it concluded.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Mr A. B. Adjei, Chief Executive Officer of Zoom Alliance, on Thursday said a national sanitation taskforce, supported by Zoom Alliance, is clearing filth through anti-littering advocacy and  distribution of household waste containers,   larger public waste containers, and trash bags.   He said: “Refuse is scattered across most cities and this seriously impacts on the environment hence the need to organize a sensitization programme for drivers and passengers and the entire public to help reduce the spate of littering on our streets and lorry stations”.   Mr Adjei said these during the launch of the national sanitation campaign song entitled “Ofunkyi”, by Nicholas Omane Acheampong (Zaphanet Panea), at the Neoplan Lorry Station in Accra on Thursday.   The event that was under auspices of Pro-image Communications in collaboration with Zoom Alliance, formed part of activities aimed at deepening awareness on sanitation, and increasing the involvement of major stakeholders in the campaign.   Mr Adjei said: “Filth is created by man and man has to handle its management, we have to educate the people on their shared responsibilities to keep their environment clean,” he said.   He said Zoom Alliance would provide mobile toilets and waste bins at the Neoplan Station, Accra, to improve sanitation there.   Mr Adjei said a sanitation task force would also be set up to enforce sanitary practices at the Neoplan Station.   He presented music- video on “Ofunkyi” to drivers at the Neoplan Station, and charged them to show it on moving vehicles to educate passengers on sound environmental practices.   Mr Adjei also distributed dust bins to the drivers and asked them to place the bins inside their vehicles for waste collection, to present passengers from throwing rubbish from vehicles.   Mr John Awuah, Welfare Officer of the Neoplan Station Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), received the items on behalf of the Union.   Mr John Tetteh of Neoplan Number Four branch of the GPRTU, pledged that the drivers would support the Zoom Alliance to make Ghana clean.   Zoom Alliance is a new waste management company created to work with existing waste collection companies to improve upon sanitation in the country.   GNA...

Teacher-Mante (E/R), Nov. 22, GNA – Nana Mbeah, Prophet of Guankorbea Prayer Ministry of Teacher-Mante in the Eastern Region, has launched his maiden musical album with a call on political leaders to avoid using ethnicity to divide the people.   Nana Mbeah said politicians should send the message of love and peace to Ghanaians to unite them rather than the propagation of hate speeches and insults.   He made the call during the launch of his first musical album, which have six tracks namely: “Mara ne mara,” “Nkenyan Nsi,” “Yefre woa ya bra,” “Ye me kradow”and“Yeni bebi ko,” at Teacher-Mante.   Nana Mbeah who is also the Mponoanohene of Akyem Abuakwa State said the political   should dwell on the message of peace to win the hearts of the electorate instead of ethnicity.   He said: “Let us all unite as one people to perform our civic responsibility by voting on December 7 in peace and tranquillity to make the election violent-free.”   The Prophet stated that David of old in the Bible used music to praise and invoke the spirit of the Almighty God to soothe broken hearts and that his music album is aimed to inspire Ghanaians to put their hope and aspiration in the Lord during trying moments such as the upcoming election.   Nana Mbeah appealed to the government to help the youth who are interested to take music as a career.   He urged the youth to refrain from alcoholism, smoking and other vices that could ruin their future.   GNA...