I’ll bring the NDC back on track: Konadu Rawlings

A crowd of vibrant people – old and young – dressed in their ‘Nana Konadu for 2012’ round neck shirts and party colours, gave Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings – a potential flagbearer of the NDC for 2012 elections – a breath taking welcome into the Accra Conference Centre.

When the former first lady mounted the stage to deliver her speech, she said: “I am indeed honoured by this massive show of support from across the length and breadth of Ghana towards a historic journey of hope and freedom not only for the NDC, but for our country Ghana.”

She noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) fought a good fight in 2008 and through the toil of millions across the country, the NDC managed to uproot a party that was shamelessly institutionalising corruption.


“We voted for a candidate who promised change and we all wanted that change. We had the conviction that once again, our country was going to benefit from the NDC ideals of probity, accountability, freedom and justice which are the bedrock of every nation. The governance we have experienced since 2009 does not inspire confidence or give Ghanaians any hope for the future.”

She stated that the current leadership has failed to pursue the NDC avowed commitment of defending the will of the people and establishing a government that is entrusted by the people. “A government with humility and sensitivity; a government devoid of arrogance and vindictiveness.”

“A true blooded NDC leadership does not buy support. A true blooded NDC leadership does not buy votes. We don’t buy votes, we work towards the votes. Indeed we don’t buy delegates.”
This tendency, she said, is destroying the spirit and the strength of the NDC and “it’s a shame”.

“As the party stands now, most Ghanaians are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that something dynamic and phenomenal has to happen in the NDC for 2012 victory. Yes, something phenomenal is going to happen and the most phenomenal thing that can happen is when the good people of Ghana, led first by the party delegates who carry the destiny of our party on their shoulders take a bold decision and call for real change on July 8, 9 and 10, when the party goes for congress in Sunyani.”

It can be recalled that Nana Konadu picked her nomination forms at the party headquarters on 3 May around 10:30am. It went down in the history books of Ghana that Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings is the first woman to pick a nomination form to contest a sitting president at the flagbearer ship level.

Mrs Rawlings said she performed that historic act because she feels the pain and despair that have engulfed the true supporters of the party.

“Having heard the cry of millions of our party supporters across the country, I cannot sit unconcerned and look on while our party, this party that you and I sacrificed to build. is brought crashing down on its knees by people who do not seem to have the growth of the party at heart.”

“The true NDC person knows that the time has come for a regeneration of the true spirit of devotion and loyalty of our party. The time has come to put an end to the politics that pursues division and return the NDC to a variable political party that will bring us together.”

As she brought her message to an end, she emphasised that; “I stand before you today to bring our party back on track”.

The founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings explained when it was his turn to deliver his speech that since the day was for his wife, he was going to say two or three things and reserve the rest for June 4th.

He mentioned that: “the NDC started losing the 2012 election within the first week when they assumed power. We finally lost 8 months back and until we change gear, until we change the driver of this bus, we will lose the 2012 elections.”

“The congress slated for July should have taken place last year but when they conducted their search, they realised that this lady was going to beat them hands down. They changed it again to march and again to July. This time they can’t change it again. I supported Mills when all the people he put around him deserted him,” he said.

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Okyeame Kwame clears doubts over ‘Faithful’ song

Okyeame Kwame has cleared the storm of doubts over the ‘exact’ role he played in his latest hit song ‘faithful’.

He admitted on e.tv late night celebrity show that “yes it is true that Kwabena Kwabena sung in my ‘faithful’ song but he didn’t sing the whole chorus like people are saying.”

Bra Kwame confessed to Dzifa Smith, the host of the show that at the time when he was recording the song in the studio, Kwabena Kwabena walked into the studio to see the sound engineer. “….it was then that the sound engineer asked him to help me out with the ‘oooh oooh’ part of the song.”

“Since Kwabena is a very good friend of mine, he did not hesitate to help me out. We sung only that part together with Bertha and nothing else,” he said.
The ‘Rap Doctor’ as popularly known in the Ghanaian music industry found himself in the mist of allegations that he did not sing the chorus of the said song.
These claims intensified when Okyeame Kwame failed to sing his part of the chorus well at the just ended Ghana Music Awards festival where he performed the song with a live band.

A copy of the song’s promotional CD apportions no credit to Kwabena Kwabena as the name behind the voice of the lyrics.

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Ghana 1-1 England:As Gyan does his dance

In the history of football, Ghana is the fourth African country to have played at the Wembley Stadium and the first to have come out with a draw.

Wembley Stadium was flooded with Ghanaian fans from home and away as the match started. About 81,102 fans filled the stadium.

With Asamoah Gyan and Adiyah playing the striking position, the team constantly pressured the England for a goal but was to no avail.

England took the game to the Blacks Stars before the end of the first half when Andy Carrol fired a shot past Goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

The second half saw six substitutions for the Ghanaian side as Coach Goran Stevanovic made tactical changes to change the rhythm of the African game.The Black Stars again dominated the game in that half.

Gyan showed composure in the 91st minute to dribble Joleon Lescott on the edge of the area before curling a left-footer to far corner beyond the English Goalkeeper Joe Hart . The brilliant skill by Asamoah Gyan earned Ghana a share of the spoils at Wembley as he scored a late equaliser to deny England victory.

The international friendly ended in a 1-1 draw and England coach Capello in an interview after the match said: “I am happy because Ghana didn't play it like a friendly. The two teams on the pitch were really, really good. The players were strong in the tackle. I'm happy with the performance of the squad. The players played without fear and with confidence.”

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NHIA debunks Oxfam’s report

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) today debunked the findings of the non-governmental humanitarian organisation, Oxfam International that the National Health Insurance Scheme on health care delivery in Ghana is unfair.

Briefing the Press on Thursday morning, the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester A. Mensah stated emphatically that the report that was put forward by Oxfam was full of flaws.

Mr Mensah pointed out that the research methodology the organisation used to arrive at the conclusion of their report was totally flawed and further explained that the report did not describe the type of study that was taken neither did it state the sample size and the type of sampling adopted by study.

“Since the document was filled with factual inaccuracies, the NHIA had to come out to respond. Oxfam did not state the type of study they carried out. To make matters worse, the figures they used in their study also did not come from us,” Mr Mensah emphasised.

Oxfam’s report concluded that as at 31st December, 2009, the NHIS health delivery could be accessible to as low as 18 per cent with those excluded still paying user fees in the “cash and carry” system.

Mr Mensah noted that the mathematical formula used by the organisation to arrive at the membership data for the NHIS and health service utilisation by members was flawed.

“Indeed, until 2008, the denominator for calculating the percentage of the registered members was the 2004 population projection but this was always made clear when the figures for registration were presented. Accordingly, this is not at all a new discovery or revelation by Oxfam.”

“It is important to note that membership of a scheme such as the NHIS is not based on mathematical extrapolations but collation of names, addresses and critical bio-data of people which can be verified, and the fact that the researches did not exhaust the possibility of accessing such information, suggests a calculated effort to tarnish a home grown African initiative and underscores the poor quality of the research.”


He also noted that the personalities that the Oxfam report cited as support for the study, such as Mr Chris Atim have openly distanced themselves from the report through a written disclaimer.

It is purely evident that Oxfam international is out to find fault in Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme since the programme in gaining international acclaim as a potential model of healthcare financing in the world.

In November 2010, the NHIS was selected by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for an award at its 2010 Global South-South Development Exposition held in Geneva, Switzerland for showing leadership in health insurance implementation in the developing world.

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I am the first hip life University graduate

Bice Osei Kuffuor, Known in music industry as Obour, is working on his new album and his 10th Anniversary celebration which is slated to be launched later in the year. In an interview, he said, he is the first Hip life musician to have gone on a nationwide tour in 2004 and 2005.


Apart from that, Obour mentioned also that he is the first Hip life musician to have graduated from University. The ‘Konkontiba’ hit maker has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Music from the University of Ghana, Legon where he was in probably the most popular hall, Commonwealth Hall otherwise known as “the vandal city”.

According to him, “It has been 10 years filled with so many experiences. Such experiences include, 10 years of good music, devotion to the musicianship of Ghana and of service to social campaign. In all, it has been a wonderful revelation”.

Speaking about what inspired the lyrics of his songs, Obour revealed that because he grew up in Juaso in the Ashanti region among traditionalists like linguists, chiefs etc. it gave him the opportunity to do more inspirational traditional music. He said his traditionalist instincts, which are felt in his songs, are inspired from his childhood life history.

He added that, “I was born in Kumasi but I grew in Juaso. Because my Dad was a chief there, I grew up around a lot of tradition and culture.”

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Nyantakyi elected into CAF Executive Council

Kwesi Nyantakyi has been elected into the Executive council of CAF a while ago at the on-going 33rd CAF General Assembly being held in Khartoum, Sudan.
The results for the voting came a few minutes after the GFA boss cast his votes for the slot. KALUSHA BWALYA of Zambia and LEO TENGA of Tanzania were also elected onto CAF executive council.

Mr Nyantakyi as it stands now, is the first Ghanaian to secure a place on the Executive Committee since 1994 when Sam Okyere last served in the post.
Mr Nyantakyi, who is currently the president for the country’s Football Association, has an unbeaten record if it comes to contribution towards sports.

He masterminded Ghana’s first two World Cup appearances in which the country performed very well. Nyantakyi is also part of the recent successes of Ghana football at all levels including the youth level.

He endeared himself to the various African FA bosses with his affability, humility and his work ethic as compared to his main contender who has led Benin into chaos.

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NPP will do anything to come back into power

The editor of the Equirer newspaper, Raymond Archer says because the New Patriotic Party has tasted power before, they feel power must come back to them at all cost.

Speaking on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji show on Saturday, Mr Archer explained that he has a feeling that what the people of Ghana want to see about a party in opposition is alternative leadership.

“It does not matter whether they provide alternative leadership or alternative policy that is credible or whatever, that thing the NPP have tasted is so important to them that they will do anything, as they have said in the past, to come back into power and that will make them lose power for a very very long time,” he said.

Commenting on the issue of the STX project, Mr Archer said he was happy for the President, John Evans Attah Mills and his vice, John Mahama and all the people who went through all they had to go through to get the project on course.

“I think if there is any project that this government appears to have gotten a lot of things right, from the start to where it now , then this could be one of those. The audacity to do this is incredible and I hope government will keep their eyes on this project.”

“I am very happy for our police officers and security officials, sometimes I wonder how they are able to deliver. I have always been in favour of government supporting the security service.”

Mr Archer noted that at least if the police and the security officials have the single spine and a decent place to lay their heads then he thinks they will deliver more than they are doing now.

Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

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The NDC can’t be considered a total failure – Bernard Mornah

The General Secretary for the People’s National Convention, Bernard Mornah says giving someone grade F means that the person is a complete failure and as such, judging by some important indicators, the party in power, the NDC cannot be considered as a total failure.

Mr Mornah said this on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji show on Saturday in relation to the recent ‘F’ grade awarded to the NDC by the opposition party, the NPP.

He noted that: “as the NDC won power in 2009 and were sworn in 2010, they did not have the kind of goodwill the NPP got when they were sworn into power in 2001.”

“I have always said that inflation has its own plus and minuses but it was the same inflation that used to be one of the very key tool that the NPP in the past always touted itself that we have brought inflation down, first to single digit and then it rose to 20.8 per cent and above.”

“All of a sudden, inflation started dropping and interest rate has also started dropping, so if you look at the economic indicators alone, it points out that one can certainly not give the ruling government the ‘F’ grade.”

“If you look at the agriculture sector, around 2007 and 2008, the country imported rice to the tune of $600 million. Today, there has been a decrease to almost $300 million, which means that we have started to augment the importation of rice by increasing domestic production of rice. That certainly is a plus to our Ghanaian farmers, meaning that we are staying some income for the importation of rice in our nation and I am hoping that in the next two years, we will be able to get out of the issue of importing staples like rice that we can produce.”

Mr Mornah said that he does not think grade F is acceptable and that the ruling party should be given grades that are acceptable and meet the challenges we have in the country.



Bismarck Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

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Is Goran Stevanović the one?

Does the ace performance of the two past South-eastern European Black Star managers advocate for the appointment of their fellow countryman in a growing trend of a Ghana-Serbian football relations?

In the mist of what is almost turning out to be a tradition of Ghana employing Serbian coaches in the past few years, one may be tempted to ask if they are really the right guys for the coaching job.

It started with Ratomir Dujkovic, who was the first Serbian Coach to walk into Ghana and took up the coaching job between 2004 -2006. He led the Black Stars side which was captained by ‘the tornedo’ Stephen Appiah to the African Cup of Nations in 2006 in Egypt. The team’s performance in that tournament was nothing to write home about.
But the Serbian redeemed his image by qualifying the nation for its first ever World Cup in Germany that same year. The Stars put up a marvellous performance and were the only African Country to qualify to the round 16th of the tournament.

Milovan Rajevac, the next Serbian Coach earned a lot of criticism from Ghanaians not because of the team’s performance but because of his ‘one top’ style of play and the fact that he could not speak the English language. Then again, he gained a lot of praises from Football lovers all over the world as he led Ghana to the final stage in the 2009 CHAN tournament, 2010 African Cup of Nations where we were the loosing finalist and then to the quarter final stage 2010 World Cup which was held in South Africa, where we were the only African country to reach that far.

The two Serbian coaches, Ratomir Dujkovic and Milovan Rajevac upon taking up the job, never made any promises but delivered fairly.

The newly appointed Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic, who was the former coach of Partizan Belgrade, has promised to win trophies with the help of the Ghanaian side. He has also made known his style of play to be attacking football.
“We must play attacking and attacking football while being cautious in defence and I am sure we will achieve the results... I am here to build champions …and I’m certain that all of us want to be champions…”

It has been 30 years since Ghana last won the African Cup of Nations. The Black Stars were third in 2008, second in 2010. “It is now time for trophies. It is time to be first again,” Stevanovic said during his first press conference with the Ghanaian media.

Ghana has been depending on these Serbian coaches for quite some time now but the question is ‘Is Goran Stevanovic truly the one?’.
It is our hope and pray that he is able to fulfil his promises and bring Ghana the trophies.

Bismarck Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

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Gyan deserves the CAF player of the year award – Afranie

Ahead of tonight’s CAF awards in Cairo, former national coach, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie says considering Asamoah Gyan’s performance at the 2010 African Cup of Nations and World Cup, he deserves the award for this year’s African Footballer of the year.

This comes after the Ghanaian striker was awarded the BBC African Footballer for the year 2010 last Friday.

The veteran coach noted that: “this is his year, this is his time and I think he deserves it. Initially it was tough for him but I think that this is the year for Asamoah Gyan.”

“In this year’s African Cup of Nations held in Angola, he did well. At the World Cup too, representing Ghana that is on behalf of Africa, he also did well so I won’t be surprised if they give it to him.”

Out of the three nominees, the one who will emerge as winner is expected to be voted for by coaches and captains of Africa’s 53 national teams and coach Afranie thinks “Gyan has nothing to fear if it comes to securing votes from his country because he served his country and coach well, both at the African Cup of Nations and World Cup.”
“Gyan made all of Africa proud. But for that unfortunate penalty he missed, I think he would have carried the team and for that matter Africa for the first time to the semis.”

Explaining further, Coach Afranie added that the two other players, Drogba and Samuel Eto, who were also nominated, don’t stand a chance since the awards was not based on only club performance.

“We are talking of African Best Player and Drogba and Eto both didn’t do well at the African Cup of Nations.”

This year has been an eventful one for the 25-year-old and all odds are he will emerge as 2010 CAF player of the year.

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