Ghana climbs up 4 places in FIFA ranking

Ghana has climbed up four places in the latest FIFA world ranking, putting the Black Stars in the 29th position in the World.

Things are looking good for the Stars on the African continent as they are ranked second behind Cote d'Ivoire after defeating Gabon 2-1 in a recent International friendly. Algeria is in the third position and Egypt in the fourth position

Ahead of the 2012 African Nations Cup which will be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January, Ghana’s current position could be considered a plus as they prepare for the tournament.

Spain, Netherlands, Germany, and Uruguay respectively, still remain the top four teams in World.

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Doctors are holding the nation Hostage

The General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC) Bernard Mornah,has expressed worry over the current situation of striking doctors all over Ghana.

Commenting on the on-going strike by the medical doctors which has lasted about fifteen days, Mr Mornah said on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji show that Ghanaians value the work of their doctors and other health workers but people working in the health sector should always carry ‘a human face’ in the work they do.

“We value the work of our doctors, we value the work of our health workers and we think that in doing that work, they must carry also a human face in what they do,” Mr Mornah said.

“It is not their stay out of work that will certainly resolve the issue but their stay out of work will lead to many elongated health issues, deaths and sometimes complications that would have been averted".

He noted that the Labour Act was enacted by Parliament out of the respect Ghanaians have for laws and institutions.

Out of the Labour Act, it is expected that all labour related disputes are handled by the Labour Commission.

“Unfortunately, it appears that institutions that are even learned and are supposed to understand why we have laws, why we have rules and regulations governing us do not understand.”

There have been many calls by various groups some of which including the Christian council, Muslim council, the Chief Imam’s office among others appealing to doctors to call off the strike but it seems all these calls and appeals fell on deaf ears.

The Country’s population is about 25million. Out of that, there are about 2,000 doctors and according Mr Mornah, the Doctor-Patient population ratio is nothing good to write home about. In every nation, health care delivery is very paramount to economic success.

“All we hear the doctors saying is their work is so essential that they don’t want to compromise on conditions of service. I have said time without number that there is no Ghanaian worker whose work is not essential and that the farmer is essential to the work of a doctor.”

“If the farmer does not produce, the doctor will not get to eat and if you don’t get to eat, you cannot have the energy to go through the basic things you do in a day. If Electricity Cooperation of Ghana decides that they are not going to work, the doctors will certainly not be in the position to operate.”

“If Water company, decide that they are not going to work, doctors cannot operate and none of us can. If the janitors don’t work, the stench in the hospitals will not permit the doctors to have an environment to work. Therefore its beats my imagination that all of a sudden people want to consider superiority and work with it.”

He emphasized that the stance taken by the Ghana Medical Association is not healthy for the growth of our nation.

“ Worker must get themselves up to the standard that they will constantly engage with authority to ensure that there is improvement in their working conditions and that indeed in their income.”

“But you don’t have to hold the whole nation hostage as they are doing now so that at the end of the day, we will have to succumb to them. I find that extremely unacceptable and I pray that doctors will come to some day to realize this.”

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Kwame Nkrumah is the Greatest African in this Millennium-Pratt

The managing editor of the Insight Newspaper and a true Nkrumahist, Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr has acknowledge Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah as not only being the greatest Ghanaian but also as the greatest African in this Millennium.

According to Mr Pratt, Dr Kwame Nkrumah is one of the few people in this world whose works and ideals have changed the world dramatically.

“Indeed, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is in the category of Einstein , is in the category of persons whose works have changed the world’s understanding of itself and created pathways to the building of a better universe and this is not in dispute”, Mr Pratt said.

“It is important to also acknowledge that Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is so big that he actually fills the world’s stage. Today Dr Kwmae Nkrumah is studied and his ideas and ideals are applied across the world. This is the man whose 102th birthday was celebrated only a couple of days ago.”

There are some, few as they may, who still continue to attempt to deride the achievements of Dr Nkrumah, to denigrate his personality and to pull his whole contribution to world development.

These persons, according to Mr Pratt, who are mainly in the Dankwa-Busia tradition, will soon come to a realization that “…their effort is comparable to a guy who is using his bare feet to kick against a rock”.

“Those who will get hurt in this process will be non-other than those who are engaged in this campaign of vilification, slander and lies against the Osagyefo. They are the only people who will get hurt in the process”, Mr Pratt noted.

It is important to recall that when Dr Nkrumah was alive and when he led the struggle for the liberation of Africa and indeed contributed significantly to the liberation struggles in Latin America, Asia and other places, many Africans, according to Mr Pratt dropped their nationality and adopted the nationality of Ghana.

“Indeed Nigerians, Liberians, Ugandans and so on, preferred to be known as Ghanaians rather than Liberians, Ugandans and Sierra Leoneans. Indeed, the Ghanaian passport had become a priced item.”

The African Union, through a resolution, adopted the centenary celebration of Dr Kwame Nkrumah as Africa’s own celebration. Aside that, Mr Pratt made mention that centenary of Nkrumah was celebrated everywhere in the world.

“There is no Ghanaian leader who has managed to attain these heights and these heights were not attained from nothing.”

“In discussing Nkrumah’s greatness, it is important to point to the fact that it is his humility, his humble background that makes him greater.”

A young village boy, born in a small village in Nkroful, on a section of the Western Region who in 48yrs rose to the world’s stage and the world not afford not to pay attention to him.

“This is the greatness that we are talking about”, he added.

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IOC lifts ban, Ghana back in London 2012 Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has lifted Ghana’s suspension eight months after it sanctioned the West African nation for violating its statutes

Board Chairman of the Ghana Sports Council Mr Kojo Bonsu revealed to Radio Gold that the decision to lift the ban was arrived at a meeting which took place in Seoul, South Korea on Friday morning.

In January this year, the IOC suspended the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ghana from competing in the London 2012 games. The IOC cited "political interference" from the Ghanaian government as the reason behind the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ghana's expulsion.

A statement issued on that day by the IOC read "an obvious lack of cooperation of the government authorities in Ghana and a lack of respect of the Ghana public authorities" led to the nation's ban.

But Mr Bonsu who sounded very happy about the move when he told the radio station today that “about an hour ago, I think, in Korea the ban was lifted.”

The decision by the IOC means Ghana may take part in the London 2012 Olympic games. “It means a lot to us because we were out of the Olympic fraternity and we are back in the fold, so that means we will be able to take part in all international events, eg; Olympic Games and other international meets,” Kojo Bonsu said

He was certain with the decision, Ghana could be part of the 2012 Olympics in London and expressed gratitude to Youth and Sports Minister, Clement Kofi Humado; marketing consultant Frank Appiah; Mr. BT Baba of the GOC; Dr Valerie Sawyerr, a Deputy Chief of Staff; National Sports Council CEO, Worlanyo Agra and the Parliamentary legal team for helping to fashion out a package that he said led to the lifting of the ban.

"It means a lot to us because we were out of the Olympic fraternity and we are back in the fold, so that means we will be able to take part in all international events, eg; Olympic Games and other international meets," said Kojo Bonsu.

Could this mean that Ghana will resume receiving its Olympic funding?

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Mills has only two houses

The managing editor of the insight newspaper Kwesi Pratt Jnr has brought to light that the current president of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, owns only two houses.

Mr Pratt noted that when the news broke that President Mills was acquiring a huge luxurious mansion, Ghanaians were made to believe that the mansion was virtually complete.

“The story went on and on that the mansion was virtually complete. A photograph of an indeed glamorous mansion was published alongside",

Mr Pratt contributing to discussions on the Alhaji and Alhiaji show said when he heard the news about the President acquiring a mansion; he completely dismissed it because he knows President Mills very well.

“Let me tell you something, President Mills some time ago told me personally that he already owns two houses and that every year he has to look for painters to repaint the houses and that a third house will be a problem for him, Mr Pratt revealed.

The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Koku Anyidoho who initially got the facts wrong, came out to say that there was indeed something like that and that the mansion was a token of appreciation.

But Mr Pratt mentioned that when he heard Mr Anyidoho say that the mansion existed and it was a token, he was completely shuttered.

“Masa, how can somebody who will not even receive hampers, who will not take birthday gifts and so on, accept a mansion as a token?”

It later turned out that the facts were completely different, that there was no mansion at all. There was rather an agreement for Regimanuel Gray Limited to provide a guard house, toilet facilities and a bathroom for those guarding the president’s residence. President Mills will be personally responsible for the payment of the facility

When the press was sent to inspect the structure, it turned out that the construction of the structure which was mislabelled as a luxurious mansion, was at its elementary stage and not completed as stated earlier.

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One Minute Beauty

It ticked... tocked... ticked... tocked ...ticked... tocked
Severing ties with an umbilical chord
She arrived;
Her eyes, clear like the blue sky
Her nose, points like her father’s
Her red rose lips blossoms from Eden
Her hair, carefully curled by her creator
Her face, carved by angels, so beautiful
Beauty beyond imagination...

It yet ticks...tocks...ticks...tocks...ticks...tocks
Her firm grip resonates her mother’s strength
She slept like all the troubles in this world had been wiped away.
Suddenly, she smiled in her sleep...
Still ticking...tocking...ticking...tocking...ticking...tocking

Her smile brought tears to my face
Because indeed she was striking
Beauty straight from heaven
The smile faded, turned upside down
She suddenly turned pale
The warm strong grip loosened
The warmth was gone...

Tick...tock...tick...tock...tick...tock
The grip felt cold, icy cold
There was no pulse, her heart turned stone
Deadened by a glance into Medusa’s eyes
Eyes of death
‘Bring back my beautiful girl’
‘Save the product of our love’
She was gone, back to her Creator...

Tick...but the clock did not tock
Neither could I talk
One minute, that is all we had with her
‘Why did u take her away?’
I saw my baby for only a minute
My one minute beauty, the love of my life
Pray for her, keep her safe
Till we meet again in our haven

Dedicated to all parents who lost their babies at birth

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Tears of the Wind

She yelled out of a terrible dream when the clock struck 4. “ooh, its morning already. I have to get the girls ready for school.”

She hurriedly finished her chores, woke her husband up and had a warm bath. It was time to play mummy once again.
“Wake up girls, it is time for school and we don’t want to be late”. Little Naa was carried in her sleep while Ayikai took her mom’s hands and they were marched straight to the bathroom.

“Mummy my toothbrush,” Naa yelled “Mummy my sponge,” Ayikai joined in the exasperating chorus . In about 20mins, the kids were ready for school but they had to go take breakfast while she got ready for work.

She was ready to leave . “Alright girls, let’s get going”. She waited for minute but heard nothing. She moved to the dining and realised the girls had neither a taken a sip nor a slice.

“Naa, Ayikai, won’t you eat your food,” she asked. Naa, the youngest of the girls ran to her and hugged her. She looked really sad, “mummy, I don’t want to go to school today. Please don’t make me go.”
Ayikai also joined in the hug and said: “It’s ok Naa, go eat your food and I’ll take care of you when we get to school ok.” They both sat with their sad faces and ate their food.

She was running late for work. Daddy was already in his car but the Taxi driver who sends the girls to school had not arrived yet.
Just when she brought out her phone to call him, she heard the sound of a car pull into the house. “Madam, I make sorry waa for my lateness,” he said. “My car dey worry me sorry, Fa ts3 mi, ense bio.”
As the taxi started moving out of the compound, Naa and Ayikai waved their parents goodbye.

She got to work late, organised a Press Conference for her boss and before the conference was over, the day had ended. It was 4pm and she had to pick her kids from school. She called up the Taxi driver and asked him to go pick up her kids from school.

She got home at 7pm and her kids were nowhere to be found. “Where are the girls”, she asked her husband through rattling teeth.

“I went to the school and I was told you had asked someone to come pick them up with a taxi so I assumed they were with you at work,” he replied.

The taxi was supposed to bring them home, she yelled as she angrily brought out her phone. After four times of calling, the Taxi driver finally answered, Madam my car spoil oo , I dey come. Your pikkins dey fine, then he ended the call. Nothing annoyed her more than his perverted version of the pigeon language.

She tried to call the line again and this time a strange voice picked the call, hello maame make you stop dey call, you no go see the pikkins again
, the strange voice said but before the call ended, she heard her daughter screaming and crying.
Oh my God, she shouted as she fell to the floor.

“Daddy, our kids have been kidnapped”.

Her husband quickly picked up his phone and called the police. My two daughters have been abducted, he told the police. Few minutes later, the parents where at the police station to put down their statement. The Police inspector then deployed dispatch units to go search for the girls.

Suddenly, Goose pimples rained all over her body, she remembered the terrible dream she had that morning.
In the dream, she was playing with her kids on a road which appeared to be covered with snow when a strong wind blew and carried the two girls away. But as she yelled for help, the girls kept smiling and waving goodbye. That was when she woke up.

She fell to her knees and broke down in tears. “I’ve lost my babies, they are gone, I feel it in my soul. They are gone,” she wailed.

“It wasn't you,” she told her husband, “it was all me, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have allowed them to go with the Taxi driver. Please forgive me.”

Her husband hugged her tight and as the tears rolled down his cheeks, he murmured, it was never your fault, I will never blame you. God gives and He takes away. I need you to be strong for me.

A couple of days later, the Taxi was found with body parts in the boot. The police together with her husband identified the part and confirmed that the body parts were that of the kids.

The driver was apprehended by the police at his hideout in no man’s land. He is to appear before a court on the counts of abduction and first degree murder.

What happens to this murderer is up to God and the court.

What happens to the family –the mother and father- is another story .

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Ghana’s fate in the football world

Over the years, two questions at least, linger in the minds of Ghanaian football lovers anytime the international governing body of their favourite game, FIFA, release the FIFA/Coca Cola World football ranking.

These questions obviously are; what position was Ghana placed and where will She be in the next ranking.

Ghana’s ranking over the past 11yrs has been like a seesaw. At a point, the country is ranked so high that football fanatics begin to feel complacent. And another point, the country is ranked so low that everyone – the press, FA , football lovers and sometimes the government -tries to identify the cause for the low ranking and suggest possible solutions.

In 2000, out of the 203 countries that were ranked, Ghana was in the 57th position, a position that raised eyebrows all over the country. As usual, tongues came lashing at the coach and officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The GFA led by Alhaji M. N. D. Jawula promised football funs that he together with his outfit were going to work hard to move Ghana up from its 57th position.

Ghana fell two places back in 2001,but the 59th position was not the end of the fall. In 2002, the ranking moved from 59 to 61 then to 78 in 2003.

The FA, now led by Dr N. Nyaho-Tamakloe together with the players and technical team of the Black Stars managed to move a step up in 2004. FIFA ranked Ghana 77 in the world. It didn’t stop, in 2005, there was a tremendous rise. The Black Stars led by Captain Stephen ‘Tornedo’ Appiah managed to move 22 places up to the 50th position.

In 2006, Ghana managed to qualify for the first time to the World Cup which was to be held in Germany and also for the African Cup of Nations tournament which was also held in Egypt. Unfortunately, the Black Stars failed make it out of the group stages.

But its FA’s new boss Kwesi Nyantakyi promised to raise the flag of Ghana high at the World Cup. And so he – Kwesi Nyantakyi- together the entire team fulfilled a prophecy that was long foretold by Cameron’s Roger Milla at the Italia 1990 that the best was yet to come and the world should wait for the Black Stars of Ghana at the World Cup.

Ghana qualified from the group stages and got kicked out by Brazil in the round 16 stage. The ranking for that year was marvellous, Ghana moved up to the 22 places to the 28th position.

Unfortunately, the ranking fell to 48 in 2007, rose to 25 in 2008 and dropped to 34 in 2009. But after a spectacular run at the African Cup of Nations in 2010, the Stars made it to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup which earned Ghana 16th position in the ranking.

The FIFA rankings have been released three times this year .in the January, Ghana was still ranked 16, in April, it was 15 [the highest the country had ever seen]. In the middle of the year, the ranking dropped to 33.

Football fanatics over the world are wondering what the fate of Ghana is going to be like in the future.

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What is wrong if Mills commissions KVIPs or bore-holes?

As part of the ‘action year’ plan of the current government, President J.E.A. Mills has been commissioning classrooms, road projects, and dormitories among others in some regions.

On the other hand, the opposition party, the NPP has been criticising the NDC that “the President is going round his national tour commissioning bore holes.”

Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo program, the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper Kwesi Pratt Jnr noted that there is nothing wrong if the president commissions bore holes and KVIPs.

“What is wrong if Mills is commissioning boreholes?” Mr Pratt questioned.

“If you are staying in Maamobi and you take a drug for your running stomach, you wake up in the morning and go to the public toilet you meet a long queue, you will know the benefit of commissioning a KVIP”, he said.

He added, “on the other hand, if you are staying in a village where water does not flow through the pipes and you go to the stream to fetch water and realise cows and goats are also drinking from the stream, then you will understand.”

He said the people who leave in the areas where the bore holes and KVIPs were commissioned, count it great joy because they know how important those things are in their lives.

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NPP Commentators are suffering from Selective Unfairness

The editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has stated that some commentators of the opposition NPP are suffering from what he terms ‘Selective Unfairness’.

He said, “some of these commentators from the NPP complain a lot claiming that their flagbearer has been insulted and they take issues with newspapers which try to remain independent or those which are on the side of the NDC.”

He stated that we should all be worried about the spate of insults and heckling in the media adding, “I think it is important for us to condemn all such incidences and not be selective.”

Mr Pratt recalled how a member of the NDC spent valuable airtime focussing on the height of Nana Akuffo Addo. “What has the height of a presidential candidate got to do with finding solution to the social, economic, political and cultural problems that confront our people? Yet we spend valuable airtime on such discussions,” he noted.

Mr Pratt with permission from the show host read out an editorial from June 15th edition of Daily Guide titled “Government’s Hypocrisy”. The editorial termed how government decided not to get involved with the Ga state chieftaincy issues as ‘Nonsense and an act of Hypocrisy’.

It further read that “……we do not welcome this waywardness from a government which virtually begged to come into power”.

Addressing Owula E.T Mangotey’s statement that NPP’s flagbearer Nana Akuffo Addo makes more sense when he is quiet, Mr Pratt said since Mr Mangotey is a citizen, he is entitled to his views.

“As long as there is no infraction of the law, for as long as he speaks within the boundaries of decency, Mr Mangotey’s views will continue to remain his views,” Mr Pratt added

“Masa, the man stated emphatically on this very program that faithful day that he was not a member of the NDC therefore his views are not attributable to the NDC, this is a point I think we should all respect.”

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