Final Stadium

NEO-NAZI soccer thugs in Germany are plotting to ambush Chelsea fans at the Champions League Final. Intelligence teams have uncovered evidence that hooligan followers of Bayern Munich are planning to attack Blues supporters at Saturday’s match.

Security experts fear 400 British and German thugs are gearing up for a battle in Munich — where all police leave has been cancelled.

A hard core of skinhead thugs in Bayern’s “Schickeria” — “Smart Set” — want to test themselves against Chelsea’s notorious “Headhunters”. The German gang model themselves on English terrace yobs of the ’70s.

All are banned from the final’s venue, the Allianz Stadium.

But the thugs have formed terrorist-style “cells” and German police and British anti-hooligan units are monitoring plots to ambush Blues fans at bars, stations and motorway services.

Around 30,000 Chelsea fans, many without tickets, are flocking to Munich to cheer on Ashley Cole and co at the biggest game in the club’s history.

British cops say 80 known thugs have had their passports seized, but 150 “problem fans” are travelling.

Munich police said: “We are prepared for all eventualities.”

Source: thesun.co.uk

It asked if it was only the logo which brought about the NDC party and answered, “Basket of ideas, sacrifices and immeasurable pain through commitment brought about the party.”

“Indeed Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has benefitted most from the party than anybody else and therefore it is surprising to see a former First Lady reduce herself to mere pettiness” it added.

In a statement signed by the Upper West Regional Secretary of the June Four Movement, Mr Geoffrey Tuu, and made available to the graphic.com.gh, the movement said, “It ached a lot when we hear some of these unfortunate utterances just because the sitting President Mills would not yield to the manipulations of former President Rawlings.”

It, therefore, asked Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings to come out clear and state whether she is against the use of the logo by the NDC because it is her intellectual property.

On the upcoming national elections, the movement noted that “Being a onetime president is the wish of the former first family but not the wish of Ghanaians.”

It said the elections would be won in a grand style by the NDC so that the Rawlings’ would continue to enjoy their regard and protection since virtually, by their actions, they have become campaign managers of the NPP.

The statement appealed to all NDC faithful to rise up to the occasion in order not compromise the safety of the Rawlings’ despite the confusion they are creating.

Source: Chris Nunoo/D-Graphic

Mr Cletus Apul Avoka - Majority Leader says the RTI Coalition is to be blamed for the delay in passing the bill into Law

The Rights to Information Bill (RTI), which was laid before Parliament in February, 20I0, has generated controversy, with the RTI Coalition blaming Parliament for feet-dragging in passing the bill into law.

There had been a lot of media bashing against the august House recently after the Majority Leader Mr Cletus Apul Avoka told an Accra-based FM station that the House gave preference to the passing of the Petroleum Revenue Management, the Petroleum Commission and the Presidential (Transition) bills last year as against the RTI due to the urgency that was attached to those bills.

But addressing the media in Parliament Wednesday, Mr Avoka debunked the assertion by the civil society and rather blamed the RTI Coalition for failing to submit the expert legal opinion on the bill that it was commissioned to do.

He, however, assured Ghanaians that the House was committed to passing the bill into law before the lifespan of this Parliament expires on January 6, 2013.

“Contrary to the perception that the House is dragging its feet towards passing the bill into law, Parliament is doing what it can to provide a solid law that can stand the test of time”.

“Let me also indicate to you that the government is also committed to the bill and has not done anything to suggest that it is not interested in the bill since it was presented to the House”.

According to him, since the country had at that time started commercial production of oil there was an urgent need for a legal framework to be put in place on how revenue accruing from the oil should be used.

Mr Avoka said the civil society and an Accra-based newspaper which published their concerns took him out of context when he stated that the House gave the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, the Petroleum Commission and the Presidential (Transition) Bill a priority.

He said the House had shown its commitment to pass the bill by organising regional fora, under the sponsorship of the World Bank, to collate views from the general public.

Those fora, according to him, were held in Tamale, Kumasi, Koforidua, Ho, Takoradi and Accra in addition to the gathering of information from other countries for best practices.

He said that all those steps were taken because the civil society prevailed on Parliament to tread cautiously and allow them to have copies in order to make inputs before passing the bill due to its importance to the society.

Mr Avoka explained that before the House went on recess in March, this year, the Joint Committee on Communication and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs organised a workshop to wrap up discussion on the bill.

He said now that the wrap-up workshop had been done, what was left was for the joint committee to write its report taking into consideration suggestions made by the general public and the civil society and present same to the House for debate.

He said during the wrap-up meeting the coalition of NGOs on the bill was to present proposals aimed at beefing up the bill but as of now they had failed to do so.

Mr Avoka said even at that meeting, the World Bank indicated its readiness to sponsor a trip by the leadership of the joint committee to some of the countries that had already passed the RTI to enrich the quality of the bill.

“Against this background it is unfair for people to criticise Parliament that it has delayed in passing the bill into law. I find these criticisms quite unfortunate”.

He promised that within the next two or three weeks, the report of the joint committee would be presented to the plenary for it to be taken through its second reading stage.

“Parliament has a tight schedule, this is an election year, but within the time constraints, we will work hard to pass the bill before this Parliament is dissolved”, he assured.

Responding to Mr Avoka’s concerns, however, the Convener of the RTI Coalition, Nana Oye Lithur, said it was the responsibility of Parliament to pass bills, adding that Mr Avoka could not, therefore, “pass the buck”.

“These are excuses that he cannot run away from. It is his responsibility as the Majority Leader to lead Parliament to pass bills into laws”.

She questioned why Mr Avoka did not hide behind excuses to delay the passing of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, the Petroleum Commission Bill and the Presidential (Transition) Bill.

She said the coalition had supported the bill right from its drafting stage till now because it was committed to transparency in the governance process.

Nana Lithur explained that the World Bank (Ghana Office) commissioned a representative of the coalition to draft an expert legal opinion on the contentious clauses in the bill.

That, according to her, had been completed and submitted to the World Bank, adding that the coalition would, therefore, seek the bank’s authorisation to submit the expert legal opinion to Parliament.

“We will continue to support Parliament to pass the bill because it is in the interest of the country”, she said.

graphic.com.gh

The 35-year-old robber, who was known as the Nankpanduri Terror, has been handed the bill of indictment at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison where he is currently serving 13 years for escaping from lawful custody on two occasions.

Kombian’s committal proceedings are to be held at the AMA Court B in Accra on Friday.

According to the Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Cephas Arthur, after studying the documents on Kombian, the Attorney-General’s Department directed the police to start the process for his trial for the murder of the two constables.

Kombian was handed a seven-year jail term for his first escape from the Gambaga Prison and six years for his escape from the Tamale Prison.

Kombian, who is said to have killed the two policemen and wounded another at Nankpanduri in October 2010, managed to escape to Togo but he was arrested by Interpol in Togo and handed over to the Ghana Police.

Before being declared wanted, Kombian was alleged to have murdered a number of his robbery victims during his brutal operations at Nankpanduri, with his last victims being the two policemen.

After that assault, Kombian eluded the police by shuttling among Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso and the Police Administration promised to give GH¢3,000 to any member of the public who would volunteer information leading to his arrest.

Incidentally, a day after Kombian’s arrest in Togo, one of his alleged victims, Constable Prince Agyare, was buried at his home town near Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

In addition to the murder of and injury to the policemen, Kombian was wanted to face trial in a number of other cases, including robbery, attempted murder, possession of firearms without lawful authority, escaping from lawful custody and stealing.

Until his escape, he was serving a five-year jail term for a previous escape and awaiting trial for robbery and attempted murder.

graphic.com.gh

Appiah traveled to Dubai last week to meet with the Al Ain striker with the sole aim of having the 26-year-old come out of temporary retirement for the games against Lesotho and Zambia.

The conspicuous absence of the on-loan Sunderland ace from the latest provisional Black Stars squad released on Wednesday however proved Appiah’s bid was unsuccessful.

It remains to be seen when indeed Gyan will return to the national team with findings of the visit of the Black Stars coach yet to be made public.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Robert Dabuo (Wa All Stars), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Richard Kissi Boateng (Berekum Cheslea), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), John Boye (Rennes, France), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbin, China), Daniel Addo (Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine), Rashid Sumaila (Dwarfs), Jerry Akaminko (Manisaspor, Turkey), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese , Italy), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France) Richard Mpong (Medema) Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England), Christian Atsu (Rio Ave, Portugal), Ishamel Yartey, (Servette, Switzerland), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy).

Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine), Ben Acheampong (Kotoko), Emmanuel Baffour (New Edubiase), Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea).

The 30-man squad will be pruned down before the team departs to Kumasi on 27th May ahead of the match against Lesotho on 1st June, 2012.

Franco-German differences over the eurozone crisis were put aside as the two leaders stressed their common purpose.

MEPs on both sides of the argument are putting their case.

“In Brussels we expect both leading powers of the eurozone, Germany and France, to come to a conclusion,” said Elmar Brok EPP from the European People’s Party and a member of Angela Merkel’s centre-right CDU. “The fiscal pact is not renegotiable. On the other hand it is clear: we have to strengthen economic growth by structural measures to become more competitive. But it must be clear: this must not lead to more debt!”

In contrast, another German MEP wanted the French leader to take Merkel on:
“Francois Hollande made it very clear in his campaign: he wants to create more jobs, he wants to create higher growth. The Merkozy-package has to be corrected! And we support him in doing so!” said Udo Bullmann, an MEP from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and a member of the German opposition SPD.

President Hollande said he was ready to put all issues on the table at the next meetings on the euro crisis, including those known to raise hackles in Berlin.

The extent to which both leaders are ready for showdown or compromise should soon become clear.

The former Copyright Administrator has been accused of scheming with Mrs Rawlings to secretly register the ‘umbrella’ logo of the NDC.

Exactly a week today, the former First Lady stunned the nation by publicly claiming ownership of the NDC symbol of red, green, white and black umbrella with the head of an eagle on top and threatened to take back the logo if the ruling party does not give respect to his family and revert to the ideals of probity and accountability espoused by her husband, Jerry John Rawlings.

In a letter to the party’s Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, through her solicitors, she noted that the disparagement of the logo had been manifested in disrespect for her husband, disunity of the party, and lack of accountability by some key party leaders, and that if steps were not taken to address her grief, she would have no option than to take back the party’s iconic symbol.

According to the former first lady, the artwork was her exclusive property, and had the right to withdraw its usage at any time she feels like doing so.
But a member of the government’s Communication Team and a Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, believes there is a huge conspiracy at play to ruin the chances of the NDC in the upcoming polls, and indicted the Copyright Office for failing to verify from the party before handing over the ownership of the NDC symbol to an individual.

To him, he sees no reason why Mr Bosomprah should walk the streets of the country as a free man without being arrested by the law enforcement agencies.

But in his first live radio interview since the issue broke, the former Copyright Administrator told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning Show, Nana Bosompra insisted that the registration process at the copyright offices, always goes through a process and so there is no way he could have accomplished the registration in one day with the former first lady.He added that the person who brought the logo for registration said it was an artistic work of the former First Lady and not as a logo belonging to the NDC.

“The way the registration process is, there is no way that one person will be come to me secretly for a copyright registration. It is a process that has to be gone through and then I am the final person that signs. The logo was brought as her artistic work; if it was brought with reference to the NDC, we would have to make enquiries from the party; informing them that somebody has brought the logo for registration; so what do you have to say about it? But there was nothing NDC about it…” he said.

Mr Bosomprah also disclosed that Nana Konadu did not do the registration herself but sent someone to do it on her behalf and added that anyone doubting the authenticity of the registered insignia can verify his claims at the copyright office since everything was documented.

“…Every transaction we did has been documented in a file currently at the copyright office. It is not something that was done secretly between the former First Lady and myself. I have never even spoken to the woman before; probably she has seen me from afar but I have never come into contact with her personally before. Anyone who has doubts can go to the copyright office and clarify issues for him or herself…” he said.

Source: Peacefmonline

According to former President Rawlings, the entire country must ponder over which direction it is headed and should take into account the sacrifices made by the many who laid down their lives for which reason the country is currently enjoying peace and stability.

Former President Rawlings was speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of the 31st December Women’s Movement which was under the theme “Our Walk into Women Empowerment.”

He also expressed his disappointment at the ruling government’s relegation of women into the background, especially the 31st DWM which he said “served as a powerful avenue for propagating the government’s philosophy and ideals and an influential machinery that hoisted the party’s image from 1992 through to 2008.”

Below is the full statement:

The President of the 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Nananom, Niimei, Naamei, Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant, Rev. Christie Doe Tetteh, Dr Uma Sen, Madam Selena Taylor, members of the Diplomatic Corp, members of the 31st December Women’s Movement, members of the media, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Thirty years ago, as Ghana pursued the agenda of stopping the decay that had engulfed the country and brought it on its knees, we lived in a man’s world and many believed the journey of transformation was a job too challenging for our women.

However one young woman with the able support of like-minded friends and colleagues, decided the time had come for women to take active and significant part in the socio-economic development of Ghana – especially in the rural areas where women played an important role in the family unit but had little rights as far as decision-making was concerned.

The history of the achievements of the 31st December Women’s Movement, led by this tireless woman and political soul mate, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has been told a thousand-fold. Today the transformation of women is felt across the country in so many spheres of endeavour.

Women’s rights have been boosted through the adoption of several laws protecting their rights and women have found themselves pursuing various roles that transcend managing the small family unit, to applying modern technology in farming, roles in industry and top management as well as varied positions in national politics. The list is endless.

The DWM stood up for the disadvantaged women of society and together they worked hard in creating modest economic opportunities for women, created awareness of women’s rights and inculcated a sense of self-confidence and self-worth that has today made the Ghanaian woman strong, assertive and equal to men in every sector of society.

Ladies and gentlemen: As we congratulate the DWM we have to appreciate the fact that without women we could not have achieved as much as we did in our political and electoral successes, as they served as the backbone of the campaign structure during the PNDC era, when they were largely instrumental in giving true meaning to the implementation of the economic policies that turned Ghana’s economy around.

When the NDC was established, the huge network created by the Movement served as a powerful avenue for propagating the government’s philosophy and ideals and an influential machinery that hoisted the party’s image from 1992 through to 2008.

The current leadership knows it very well but rather than build on the capacity that the Movement brought to the party, they have chosen to exclude them and do worse than our so-called ‘enemies’ were doing between 2000 and 2008.

How can the government in its desire to hold onto political power demean itself in such a crass manner? Can we sustain hope and strength in this depraved political atmosphere?

We have always had to fight against one ‘enemy’ or opposition. If they can behave in a civil way it will be fair to call them opposition but seeing how they rounded up and jailed innocent people and killed others can we be wrong to sometimes describe them as enemies?

This time, however, we are fighting against two enemies – one the perceived enemy and the other one the traitor. We cannot fight both at the same time and therefore one has to go.

How could an NDC government lose its enviable sense of political morality and moral high-ground? This is why some are justified in saying that those in office are not genuinely minded, NDC spirited, NDC-hearted people and want to destroy the party in favour of something else.

And so long as they hold onto power and with some of our supporters persistently refusing to see the truth and what should have been done, then it becomes difficult to take back our party.

Ladies and gentlemen: We hear promises of great developmental policies and achievements that will come our way if we vote in certain directions, but the question is which party can restore our values?

We have always won our elections on the power of integrity. Now that they have chosen to monetize everything, how much of a chance do they have, having departed from the weapon and values that sustained our political success?

May 15 is a watershed in more ways than one. 30 years ago the 31st December Women’s Movement was born to create an avenue for women’s emancipation.

Three years earlier on the same date, the pre-cursor to the June 4 took place. My arrest and court martial and the truthful statements I made at the trial made me the focal point of conscience and gave me the leverage to contain the rage and violence that had reached boiling point within the military, the security services and the public at large.

Ghana has come far since 1979 and 1982 and today as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the hard work of our women, let us ponder over the direction we are taking our country. Let us remember the huge sacrifices that many endured for our country.

The culture of political selfishness, greed, thievery and ingratitude has to be exorcised. I said before in 2011 that this year’s elections will create a lot of stress in the country and you are living witnesses to that reality.

Today men are parading and strutting the corridors of power, taking credit for your achievements, including the political and social security of the state when it was most needed. I hope one day when the truth is told this triumph of evil will be reversed.

As we ponder over these matters, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to the 31st December Women’s Movement and Ghanaian women for chalking three decades of development in Ghana. Ayekoo.

By: Citifmonline.com

The man, identified as James K. Tawiah, is alleged to have tied the hands of his 42-year-old wife to a tree, covered her face before slashing her throat on a farm at Wassa Mampong in the Mpohor Wassa East District in the Western Region.

After that callous act, Tawiah bolted, but he hit a snag when he was arrested by the police at his hideout at Yamoransah in the Central Region on Tuesday.

The woman, whose name was given as Abena Kwama Boateng, was the mother of five children, including a two-year-old she was nursing before her death.

The suspect is currently in police custody, while the body of his wife has been deposited at the Effia-Nkwantah Regional Hospital.

According to the police, when the deceased’s body was discovered in the bush, it lay supine, with the face covered with a scarf, while the hands were tied to a tree.

The body, stained with blood, was almost covered with ants.

Speaking to graphic.com.gh, the Sekondi District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Mr Cephas Bediako, said the suspect, who hails from Edumfa in the Central Region, moved to Wassa Mampong after he had landed a job with the Disease Control Unit of the COCOBOD in the Mpohor Wassa District.

He said before the suspect got married to the deceased, he had a wife at Edumfa, but on relocating to Wassa Mampong, he married Abena, who already had four children from her previous marriage.

Later, the two had one child, bringing Abena’s children to five.

Chief Supt Bediako said police investigations had revealed that last Friday, the woman told her husband that she was no longer interested in the marriage.

The commander said to back her words with action, she travelled to her husband’s home town to inform his family that she was no longer interested in the marriage.

He said on Saturday, she returned to Wassa Mampong and about 12 p.m. on that same day she was said to have carried some seedlings for planting on her farm.

Chief Supt Bediako said the woman did not return home and the elders of the town, therefore, organised a search party to the farm, where it was discovered that she had been murdered.

He said after the act, Tawiah returned to the village and told his in-law that he was moving out of the town and would not return.

The police said after he was arrested at his hide out, the suspect had on him a suicide note comprising the direction to his home town, his father’s name and his sister’s telephone number.

He said the police were very fortunate to get him before he took his life, adding that on his arrest, the suspect broke down and wept bitterly when pictures of his dastardly act were shown to him.

Tawiah, according to the police commander, would be processed for court for him to be remanded into police custody while investigations continued.

The result means that the Reds are still capable of over hauling seventh-placed rivals Everton on the final day but Roberto Di Matteo’s side will finish sixth no matter what.

Luis Suarez conjured the opener with a mazy run before playing it off Michael Essien for an own goal, but it was John Terry at fault shortly after when his slip allowed Jordan Henderson through for a second.

Daniel Agger headed home from a corner and only Stewart Downing’s limp penalty miss just before the break prevented a 4-0 half-time advantage.

A sloppy Ramires goal after the break restored some Chelsea hope but Jonjo Shelvey ruthlessly punished Ross Turnbull’s error on the hour with a strike that broke the visitors’ resistance.

Both teams fielded understandably weaker sides than those which contested the cup final. Liverpool made four changes, with captain Steven Gerrard the headline absentee through a minor back injury and the likes of Maxi Rodriguez and Andy Carroll recalled.

Chelsea, meanwhile, brought in Fernando Torres up front as one of eight alterations to Saturday’s XI, the striker making a long-awaited return to Anfield. Turnbull deputised in goal with Frank Lampard, Juan Mata and Ashley Cole among those on the bench.

After hearty boos for Torres, Liverpool forged the first chance; Suarez nutmegging Terry and running into space, but the Uruguayan’s shot was comfortably wide.

Carroll took his turn next, looking to produce the spectacular after a quarter of an hour, attempting a delicate chip from outside the area that swooped slightly off-target.

Chelsea came back moments later, though, with poor marking from a corner allowing Branislav Ivanovic an opportunity to head at goal, the Serb nodding Florent Malouda’s delivery against the bar.

The Reds, however, were the ones to break the deadlock. Though called an own goal against Essien, it was Suarez’s handiwork, the attacker gliding down to the right-hand byeline and weaving through two men before playing it off the Ghanaian and into the net.

Already having been twice outfoxed embarrassingly by Suarez, Terry’s evening got even worse five minutes later when he slipped comically at a crucial moment, allowing Henderson to seize a through-ball, advance into acres of space, and slot calmly home.

With the Blues looking totally absent, the misery kept coming. Liverpool earned a corner and Carroll evaded Terry, nodding across the box to the waiting Agger, who made no mistake as a rout loomed.

The Blues captain continued his malaise and was lucky not to be further punished when he unwittingly passed to Carroll in space, but the striker’s shot was saved by Turnbull.

A moment later Chelsea had a rare chance to break and hit the woodwork again. Torres darted into the area before unleashing a heavy effort that smashed against the bar.

Liverpool, though, continued to dominate, with Downing encouraged to try for his first league goal in some style, getting his foot underneath the ball to thump it at goal. The winger’s spectacular strike deserved better than coming back off the bar.

He certainly seemed more confident from over 30 yards than from 12. Chelsea’s catastrophe rolled on as Ivanovic inexplicably took aim and dug into Carroll with an elbow in the area, at the cost of a booking and a penalty, but Downing stepped up and limply rolled it against the post as half-time arrived.

Despite their submissive first half, Chelsea got one back within five minutes of the restart, Ramires’ touch off his groin enough to force Malouda’s free-kick past a flailing Pepe Reina.

Their 15-minute revival was quashed, though, when the ball came to Shelvey on the edge of the area. As Turnbull mishit a clearance into his path and raced vainly back towards his net, the youngster blasted the ball out of the goalkeeper’s reach to restore the three-goal cushion.

The hosts were taking their foot off the pedal slightly and there was an opening for substitute Romelu Lukaku with 20 minutes left. The youngster rose in the six-yard box to apply a simple header to a dinked cross but Reina recovered impressively to deny him at point-blank range.

At the other end Carroll had two quick chances but shinned the first when precise reactions were needed and thumped an effort that was neither a cross nor a shot out of play moments later.

With the game clearly beyond Chelsea, disputes began to crop up over niggling fouls rather than concerted attacks from either side, Essien unhelpfully curling a rare free-kick high and wide as full-time approached.

There was time left for both Suarez and Agger to respectively sidefoot and head 90th-minute chances wide – and also for Maxi to come off with what looked a gesture of farewell to the home crowd, who gleefully lapped up a fine performance to close 2011-12 at Anfield.