* Source: Joy FM Online

Executive Secretary of Ghana Integrity Initiative, Vitus Azeem, has backed calls to make it mandatory for the President to give detailed reasons for sacking a minister.

President Mills on Thursday dismissed Attorney General Martin Amidu for misconduct.

But the opposition NPP and the group, Generational Youth Movement which was first to petition CHRAJ over the Woyome saga insist the President must provide the specifics of what constitutes a misconduct.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative boss, Vitus Azeem, says this is necessary in the interest of transparency and to avoid abuse of discretionary power.

“…I think that as we progress in our democracy and as they have promised a transparent and accountable governance it is only proper and fair to Honourable Martin Amidu that they become a bit more specific…” he told Joynews in an interview.

But law lecturer Kofi Abotsi disagrees. He says making it mandatory for the President to explain his decision to sack his appointees will unnecessarily constrain him.

* Source: Daily Guide

The Deputy Chairman in charge of finance and administration at the Electoral Commission, David Azey Adeenze-Kangah, has stated that the EC will hold a pilot biometric registration exercise across the country.

He said this was to help the commission deal with any challenges that might arise before the scheduled date for the biometric registration.

The deputy chairman made this statement when he interacted with the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana-Accra City Campus (UG-ACC).

The SRC was at the deputy chairman’s office to officially invite him to be the special guest speaker at the launch of their 10th SRC week celebrations themed ‘Sustaining Peace In Ghana, A Focus On Political Parties’.

The deputy chairman, interacting with the students after accepting their request, said training had started for about 15,000 election officers who would conduct the exercise during the biometric registration in all 23,000 polling stations across the country.

Adeenze-Kangah, explaining the biometric registration, said there was no major difference between the paper registration and the biometric registration.

“The paper and biometric registration is the same because our principle which is to capture everybody who is eligible is the same,” he noted.

Adeenze-Kangah further explained that the only difference in the registration was the change in the methodology.

“The world is changing and we have to recognize this, that is why we are changing our methodology from paper to direct computerization,” he said.

The deputy chairman also took the opportunity to advise the students to work towards sustaining peace in the country, especially during the upcoming 2012 elections.

He said they were the people the country was looking up to, to stand and ensure that the rule of law prevailed.

Mr Adeenze-Kangah also assured the students the commission would continue to do its best to ensure a peaceful general election come December 2012.

“We will work from our side so that the election will not bring any disturbances,” he assured.

* Source: GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – Thousands of supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the banner of “Concerned NDC Members,” would embark on a demonstration against the opposition New Patriotic Party on Tuesday January 24.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday, Hajia Sherifatu Sule, Spokesperson of the group, said the Greater Accra regional Police Administration has been notified of the impending demonstration.

She said the group as law abiding citizens had their final meeting with the Regional Police Command where the route for the demonstration was maped-out and it starts from Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

She said the demonstrators would march through Adabraka main road to the Farisco Junction turn left to Trade Union Congress through to the Ministries to the Castle where a petition would be presented to the President.

Hajia Sule said: “our demand are simple – government must immediately act and compel leading members of the NPP who had refused to cooperate with statutory body the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on its investigations into the judgement debate scandal. And to demonstrate our solidarity for Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome who used legal and constitutional means for redress”.

The group last Tuesday, January 17th gave the government a four-day ultimatum to use the legal means to get the leading NPP members who had refused to cooperate with EOCO to comply of they would hit the streets.

Hajia Sule said the Tuesday demonstration by progressive groups in Ghana was to drive home our message.

The group also called on Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Flagbearer of the NPP, Former President John Agyekum Kuffour, Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah and the entire Cabinet of 2005-2006, to account for their actions which has led to the loss of over GHc100 million paid to individuals as judgment debts.

* Source: Daily Graphic

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – The National Democratic Congress on Saturday begun the process of retaining power in Elections 2012 as the party started their parliamentary primaries in Constituencies with seating NDC Member of Parliament.

The parliamentary primaries offers the delegates opportunity to either reward loyal and hard working MPs with another mandate to contest for the 2012 parliamentary seats or reject him or her for a more formidable personality with the capacity to retain the seat for the party.

A tour of some constituencies by GNA regional correspondents indicates a smooth take-off as delegates cast their votes in an orderly manner, whilst some supporters of contesting candidates engaged in debate of who would eventually win the seat.

GNA observed that the Ghana Police Service had strategically deplored personnel to flash-point constituencies as well as constituencies with high profile contestants to maintain law and order.

Mr George Lawson told Ghana News Agency that the party had put in place the necessary administrative and security arrangements to ensure incident free elections.

* Source: GNA

Ho, Jan. 21, GNA – The Leadership of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has uncovered an electoral fraud, tail of deception and coercion laced with inducements in attempts to lure Volta Regional members of the party to the yet to be registered political party.

The regional and constituency leaders therefore renewed their overwhelming testament, total loyalty and commitment to the Party during CPP’s flagship dialogue platform “CPP Family Convention,” organised at Ho.

In her address the National Leader and Chairperson Ms Christiana Yaba Samia Nkrumah thanked members for standing firm against the coercion and inducement, for remaining loyal and true to the values of the CPP, and for rededicating themselves to building Nkrumaism.

She said the party has a “golden opportunity” to now forge ahead and pledged the commitment of the National leadership to provide logistics including equipping Constituency offices, vehicles, and motorbikes for party organisation.

“We need to be self reliant and pay our dues and for all to contribute something even if small. Away with parallel structures! Away with disunity! Away with confusion on what the CPP stands for and represents,” she said.

Ms Nkrumah noted: “New Year, New CPP, the future of our great party is bright”.

The CPP National Leadership team includes Mr Oteng –Anane, National Vice Chairman; Mr Ivor Kobbina Greenstreet, General Secretary; Acting National Youth Organiser Mr Kadri Abdul Rauf; Deputy Organisers, Party Committee Chairmen and a host of Regional and National Party functionaries.

*Source: Joy FM Online

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is asking President John Evans Atta Mills to explain why he sacked his Attorney General Martin Amidu, saying the presidency’s claim that the former A-G misconducted himself was fishy.

Deputy Director of Communications of the NPP John Boadu, in an interview with Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh, Friday, though admitted the president was not obliged to explain his decision, he stressed that the President could have done a lot of service to Ghanaians if he had assigned a convincing reason for his judgment.

Mr Martin Amidu was fired as the A-G on Thursday after he “misconducted” himself in a meeting with the president to substantiate his allegation of concealment of gargantuan crimes against the state by functionaries of the ruling government, including a colleague minister. He was replaced in an acting capacity by Dr Benjamin Kunbour, the incumbent Minister for Interior.

“The president has no obligation whatsoever to explain his reason for hiring and firing, but if you have a situation where there are lots of issues pertaining to the firing of a minister for which the president went ahead to say that his behavior was so bad that he misconducted himself, then you ask yourself, there have been a lot of misconducts by ministers of state of this administration – Referring to “grand misconduct” on the part of Kobby Acheampong, Rojo Mettle Nunoo and Ebo Barton Odro – so I think that it is important that we know the dubious nature of this misconduct that led to the president to fire Hon. Martin Amidu,” John Boadu posited.

When told that the scenarios given about the deputy ministers could not measure up to a misconduct against a president who hired the A-G, he insisted: “We don’t know what really happened, because it is possible that Martin Amidu might have explained and given the name of the minister and the group of people who are helping to conceal a gargantuan crime against the people of this country. We are not aware!”

John Boadu was convinced that the colleague minister alleged in Mr Amidu’s ‘explosive statement’ could not be farfetched.

He indicated that if the statement is carefully read, “the minister’s [name] is there”, insinuating that the cup should fit a minister who is supposed to defend the state but failed to do so, which caused the country to lose millions of cedis.

Vitus Azeem, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, also stated that although the president is not enjoined to make his intention of firing an appointee known, as the country’s democracy progresses, and with the government’s believe in accountability “it is only proper and fair to Mr Martin Amidu that they become a little bit more specific”.

He explained that since Ghanaians were not in that meeting, the claim of misconduct “can be widely interpreted, it can be used with discretion, it would have been good for us all to know what the misconduct meant”.

“If he just walked out of them, that could be considered misconduct; if he was ordered to say something, to withdraw a statement and he refused because he felt that that was the right thing, it could also be interpreted as misconduct.”

Mobilla's Case Adjourned To January 27

* Source: GNA

An Accra Fast Track High Court on Friday reserved its ruling in the matter in which two soldiers are being held for the death of Alhaji Issa Mobilla, Chairman of Northern Regional Convention People's Party (CPP).

The court was to deliver its ruling on whether or not to grant the State leave to file additional evidence in the matter.

The two soldiers Corporal Yaw Appiah and Private Eric Modzaka, are standing trial for conspiracy and murdering Alhaji Mobilla.

A third soldier, Private Seth Goka, is, however, being tried in absentia. The accused persons who had been on remand, have denied the offence.

At the court, the trial judge indicated that it has received a letter to the effect that all lawyers including Ms Penelope Mamattah, the prosecutor were attending Legal Education Training Sessions, and therefore, adjourned the matter to January 27.

However, Mr Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the accused persons complained about his clients continued incarceration and urged the court to deliver its ruling despite the prosecutor's absence.

Prosecution had argued before the court to grant her leave to file additional evidence in the case. This application the defence counsel had objected to, saying that process sought to delay proceedings.

Alhaji Mobilla was arrested by the police on December 9, 2004 for allegedly supplying the youth in Tamale with guns to foment trouble.

While in custody, the police claimed they received information that his followers and sympathisers were mobilising to free him.

The deceased was consequently transferred from the police cells to the Kamina Military Barracks and handed over to the three accused persons. According to the prosecution, Alhaji Mobilla died in military custody three hours after he had been handed over to the accused persons, who were on duty that day.

The pathologist’s report revealed that the deceased was sent to the hospital dead and that he died from multiple wounds.

MOFA suspends licensing of new fishing vessels from February 1

* Source: GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), on Friday said issuing of new fishing licenses and replacement of old vessels had been suspended with effect from Wednesday, February this year, until further notice.

A statement signed by Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Sector Minister, copied to GNA in Accra, said: "This suspension also affects permit to import and operate fishing vessels. It is hoped that stakeholders and operators of the fishing industry and the general public will bear with MOFA in this matter until our marine resources improve as we implement these conservation measures".

It said as part of the West African Regional Fisheries Programme to conserve and manage the fisheries resources in a sustainable manner, MOFA was aligning the fishing fleet capacity with available fisheries resources to avoid over-exploitation.

As a strategy to achieve the objective of the Ghana Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Development Plan, MOFA though the Fisheries Commission has with effect from Tuesday, January 3, 2012 embarked on measures to remove all inactive industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels from the fisheries licensing register.

Others measures were to audit and inspect the remaining industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels for compliance with the Fisheries Act 2002, Act 625, Fisheries Regulation 2010 (LI 1968), existing health and safety regulations as well as licence condition, and revoke the fishing licences of vessels that remain non-compliant.

* Source: GNA

Alhaji Diof, a cattle owner at Brafa Nyamso in the Kwahu East District, has pleaded with the Mpraeso Circuit Court to sentence his son, who is also a herdsman, to prison for stealing and selling his six cattle.

The court therefore sentenced the son, Gedey Mohammed, to five years imprisonment in hard labour after pleading guilty for stealing his father’s six cattle and a calf.

Police Inspector, Augustus Yirenkyi told the court presided over by Mr Kwaku Osei, that last year, six cattle of the complainant being taken care of by his son were stolen.

He said on January 4, the complainant and some unit committee members had information that Mohammed had stolen a calf and tied it in the bush looking for someone to buy.

The prosecutor said one of the unit committee members then feigned interest to buy the animal and after bargaining, Mohammed agreed to sell the calf at GH¢ 600 and sent the buyer to where he had tied it.

He was then reported to the Mpraeso police where he confessed that he stole the calf from his father’s kraal.

When the court asked him why he stole his father’s cattle and the calf, he said the father refused to send him to school and therefore stole the cattle to sell to fund his education.

Football Africa - The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent's most important football competition, kicks off later on Saturday with 368 players from the 16 teams in the finals, including co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The 2012 edition is historic, because it will mark the last time the biennial competition will be held in an even year since the inaugural edition in 1957 in Sudan.

Starting from 2013, when South Africa is billed to host it, the tournament shifts to odd years to prevent it from clashing with the World Cup, the sport's biggest and most glamorous event.

After the usual ceremonies to herald the tournament, the first matches will be played in Equatorial Guinea, where the hosts - who are making their first appearance at the tournament - will clash with Libya in the opening game, to be followed by the second group A match between Senegal and Zambia.

Both matches will be played in Bata, one of the two venues in Equatorial Guinea. The other is the capital, Malabo.

The co-host, Gabon, will not taste action until Monday, when it takes on debutant Niger in a group C opener. The third debutant is Botswana.

The 2012 Nations Cup is unique because the traditional African football powerhouses - seven time champion Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria - are all missing, just as fast rising South Africa. They all failed to qualify for the finals.

In the absence of the giants, the title of favourites has fallen on Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana (a giant in its own right), Senegal and Tunisia, with the first two rated tops.

As usual, West Africa has the biggest number of teams in the finals - at seven (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal), followed by southern Africa with three teams (Angola, Botswana and Zambia), same as north Africa (Libya, Tunisia and Morocco).

According to information provided by CAF, African soccer's governing body, central Africa has two representatives in co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon with Sudan being the lone team from the East-Central zone.

Remarkably, Sudan is the only team that will be featuring a full list of home-based players at the tournament. Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso are the only teams with no home-based players in their squad.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that the youngest player at the tournament will be Bertrand Traore of Burkina Faso and English premiership side Chelsea, at 16 years.

Among the stars expected to strut their stuff at the 28th edition are continental icons such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Didier Zokora (Cote d’Ivoire), Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Demba Ba, Papiss Dema Cisse and Mamadou Niang (Senegal), Adel Taraabt and Mehdi Benatia (Morocco), Oussama Darragi, Karim Haggui and Issam Jemaa (Tunisia), Pascal Feindouno (Guinea), Seydou Keita, Modibo Maiga (Mali), Moumouni Dagano and Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso), and Collins Mbesuma (Zambia).

Because of its importance, the tournament will not be about football alone. At least two international agencies, UNAIDS and Oxfam, are leveraging its popularity to push their causes.

UNAIDS, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, said it is supporting an innovative AIDS awareness campaign by the Foundation of the First Lady of Gabon, Madame Sylvia Bongo Ondimba.

'The campaign, 'CAN SANS SIDA' (CAN without AIDS), will use the enormous popularity and outreach that football has across Africa to spread the word that zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths is possible in Africa, and that by protecting a new generation from HIV infection, Africa can and will change the course of the global epidemic,' said UNAIDS head Michel Sidibe.

On its part, Oxfam said it had enlisted more than 25 football stars to speak out in solidarity with millions of people facing hunger across their region.

Just as the tournament is due to kick off in Equatorial Guinea, the final will be played in Gabon on 12 February. But while the identities of the teams in the opener are known, those of the teams for the final are still up in the air.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS:

Group A
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
LIBYA
SENEGAL
ZAMBIA

Group B
COTE D’IVOIRE
SUDAN
BURKINA FASO
ANGOLA

Group C
GABON
NIGER
MOROCCO
TUNISIA

Group D
GHANA
BOTSWANA
MALI
GUINEA

Pana 21/01/2012

Group A

Equatorial Guinea:

Goalkeepers: Danilo Emanuel (America, Brazil), Felipe Ovono (Sony de Ela Nguema), Achil Pensi Muokembe (The Panthers)

Defenders: Lawrence Sokota Doe (Al Shabab, Oman), Jose Bokung (Deportivo de Mongomo), Rui Fernando da Gracia Gomes (Logrones, Spain), David Álvarez (Langreo, Spain), Armando Sipoto Buale (Badajoz, Spain), Raúl Ivan Fabiani Bosio (C. D. Alcoyano, Spain)

Midfielders: Ben Esono Konate (The Panthers), Daniel Vazquez Evuy (Villaviciosa, Spain), Rolan de la Cruz Biyogo (Fortaleza, Colombia), Juvenal Edjogo Owono (Sabadell, Spain), Narcisse Ekanga Amia (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Raúl Juan Máximo Eyama (Deportivo de Mongomo), Jose Javier Balboa Osa (SC Beira-Mar, Portugal), Fousseiny Kamissoko (Al Shabab, Oman)

Forwards: Ellong Douwala Viera (Sony de Ela Nguema), Rodolfo Bodipo (Deportivo de A Coruna, Spain), Ivan Bolado Palacios (Cartagena, Spain), Iban ‘Randy’ Iyanga (Union Deportiva Las Palmas, Spain), Thierry Fidjeu (Konyaspor, Turkey), Daniel-Bladimir Ekedo (San Roque de Lepe, Spain)

Libya:

Goalkeepers: Samir Aboud (Al Ittihad), Joumaa Gtit (Al Ahly), Mohamed Nachnouch (Al Ittihad)

Defenders: Mohamed Al Moghrabi (Olympique Khourigba, Morocco), Mohamed Mounir (FK Jagodina, Serbia), Younes Al Chibani (Olympique Khourigba, Morocco), Ali Salama (Olympique Beja, Tunisia), Oussama Achtiba (Al Najma, Lebanon), Ahmed Al Alwani (Al Madina), Rabii Al Lafi (Club Africain, Tunisia), Abdelaziz Belrich (Al Ittihad)

Midfielders: Jamal Abdallah (FC Braga, Portugal), Mohamed Al Snani (US Monastir, Tunisia), Marwan Al Mabrouk (Al Ittihad), Aboubakr Al Abidi (Al Nasr), Moataz Ben Amer (Al Ahly Benghazi), Walid Al Khatrouchi (Al Ittihad), Abdallah Al Cherif (Al Madina), Oussama Abdelsalam (Al Akhdhar), Faicel Al Badri (Al Hilal)

Forwards: Ahmed Saad (Club Africain, Tunisia), Ahmed Al Zwei (CA Bizertin, Tunisia), Ihab Al Boussifi (Al Ittihad)

Senegal:

Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (ASC Linguere), Bouna Coundoul (New York Red Bulls, USA), Pape Latyr Ndiaye (Ouakam)

Defenders: Kader Mangane (Rennes, France), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille, France), Lamine Sané (Bordeaux, France), Jacques Faty (Sivasspor, Turkey), Moustapha Bayal Sall (St Etienne, France), Pape Malickou Diakhaté (Granada, Spain), Cheikh Mbengue (Toulouse, France), Armand Traoré (QPR, England), Omar Daf (Brest, France)

Midfielders: Rémi Gomis (Valenciennes, France) , Mouhamed Diamé ( Wigan, England), Guirane N’Daw (Birmingham City, England), Ndiaye Dème Ndiaye (Arles-Avignon, France)

Forward: Issiar Dia ( Fenerbahce, Turkey), Moussa Sow (Lille, France), Papiss Demba Cissé (Newcastle United, England), Souleymane Camara (Montpelier, France), Mamadou Niang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Demba Ba (Newcastle United, England), Dame N’Doye (FC Copenhagen, Denmark).

Zambia:

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Francis Kasonde, Hichani Himonde, Stopilla Sunzu (all TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Kampamba Chintu (BidVests Wits, South Africa)

Midfielders: Nathan Sinkala (Green Buffaloes), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe DR Congo), Noah Chivuta (Free State Stars, South Africa), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Bloemfontein Celtics, South Africa), Chisamba Lungu (Ural Oblast, Russia), Jonas Sakuwaha (El Merreikh, Sudan), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Christopher Katongo (Henan Jienye, China)

Strikers: Evans Kangwa (Nkana), Collins Mbesuma (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Emmanuel Mayuka (Young Boys, Switzerland) and James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China)

GROUP B

Angola:

Goalkeepers: Carlos (unattached), Hugo (Kabuscorp), Wilson (Primeiro Agosto)

Defenders: Amaro (Primeiro Agosto), Dani Massunguna (Primeiro Agosto), Kali (Primeiro Agosto), Marco Airosa (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Mingo Bille (Primeiro Agosto), Zuela (Atromitos, Greece)

Midfielders: Andre Makanga (Al Jahra, Kuwait), Dede (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Gilberto (Lierse, Belgium), Mabina, Miguel (both Petro Atletico), Osorio (Recreativo Caala), Xara (Petro Atletico)

Forwards: Djalma (FC Porto, Portugal), Flavio (Lierse, Belgium), Jose Pierre Vunguidica (Preussen Munster, Germany), Love (Petro Atletico), Manucho (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mateus Galiano (Nacional, Portugal), Nando Rafael (FC Augsburg, Germany).

Burkina Faso:

Goalkeepers: Daouda Diakite (KV Turnhout, Belgium), Moussa Germain Sanou (St Etienne, France), Adama Sawadogo (Missile, Gabon)

Defenders: Ibrahim Gnanou (Alania Vladikavkaz, Russia), Bakary Kone (Olympique Lyon, France), Paul Koulibaly (Charleroi, Belgium), Saidou Mady Panandetiguiri (Valletta, Malta), Mamadou Tall (Persepolis, Iran)

Midfielders: Wilfried Balima (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Charles Kabore (Olympique Marseille, France), Mahamadou Kere (Konyaspor, Turkey), Mohamed Koffi (Petrojet, Egypt), Djakaridja Kone (Dynamo Bucharest, Romania), Jonathan Pitroipa (Stades Rennes, France), Florent Rouamba (Sheriff Tiraspol. Moldova), Bertrand Traore (unkown)

Forwards: Aristide Bance (Samsunspor, Turkey), Moumouni Dagano (Al Khor, Qatar), Prejuce Nakoulma (Gornik Zabrze, Poland), Issiaka Ouedraogo (FC Admira Wacker Modling, Austria), Abdou Razak Traore (Lechia Gdansk, Poland), Alain Traore (AJ Auxerre, France), Narcisse Yameogo (AD Camacha, Portugal)

Côte d’Ivoire:

Goalkeepers: Barry Boubacar (Lokeren, Belgium), Gerrard Gnanahouan (Avranches, France), Daniel Yeboah (Dijon, France)

Defenders: Siaka Tiene (Paris St Germain, France), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart, Germany), Benjamin Angoua Brou (Valenciennes, France), Igor Lolo (FC Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Emmanuel Eboue (Galatasaray, Turkey), Kolo Toure (Manchester City, England), Souleymane Bamba (Leicester City, England)

Midfielders: Kafoumba Coulibaly (Nice, France), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Orduspor, Turkey), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover, Germany), Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United, England), Max Gradel (St Etienne, France), Yaya Toure (Manchester City, England)

Forwards: Gervinho (Arsenal, England), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Abdul Kader Keita (Al Sadd, Qatar)

Sudan:

Goalkeepers: Mahjoub El Moez (Al Hilal), Bhaldien Mohammed (Al Merreikh), Akram Al Hadi (Al Merreikh)

Defenders: Musab Omar (Al Merreikh), Ngemaldien Abdullah (Al Merreikh), Ahmed Al Basha (Al Merreikh), Bala Jaber (Al Merreikh), Mowaia Bashir (Ittihad Madani), Seifaldien Ali (Al Hilal), Khalifa Ahmed (Al Hilal)

Midfielders: Haitham Mustafa (Al Hilal), Baderaldien Aldoud (Al Merreikh), Faisal Musa (Al Merreikh), Amier Kamal (Al Merreikh), Nazer Hamed (Al Hilal), Mohamed Al Tahir (Al Hilal) Alaadine Yousif (Al Hilal), Mohammed Ahmed Bashir (Al Hilal), Mohammed Moussi (Al Nsoor)

Forwards: Ramadan Alagab (Al Mourada), Mohammed Sheikh Eldin (Al Hasahesa), Mudathir El Tahir (Al Hilal), Abdulrahman Hassan (Al Merreikh)

GROUP C

Gabon:

Goalkeepers: Yann Bidonga (Mangasport), Stephane Bitseki Moto (US Bitam), Didier Ovono (Le Mans, France)

Defenders: Georges Ambourouet (Missile FC), Moise Brou Apanga (Brest, France), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Lorient, France), Remy Ebanega (US Bitam), Edmond Mouele (Mangasport), Rodrigue Moundounga (Olympique Beja, Tunisia), Charly Moussonou (Missile FC), Henri Ndong (US Bitam)

Midfielders: Andre Biyogo Poko (Bordeaux, France), Cedric Boussougou (Mangasport), Levy Madinda (Celta Vigo, Spain), Bruno Mbanangoye Zita (Dinamo Minsk, Ukraine), Cedric Moubamba (US Bitam), Lloyd Palun (Nice, France)

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (St Etienne, France), Daniel Cousin (FC Sapins), Fabrice Do Marcolino (Laval), Roguy Meye (Zalaegerszeg, Hungary), Eric Mouloungui (Nice, France), Stephane Nguema (US Bitam).

Morocco:

Goalkeepers: Nadir Lamyaghri (Wydad Casablanca), Issam Badda (FUS Rabat), Mohamed Amsif (Augsburg, Germany)

Defenders: Jamal Allioui (Al Kharytiyath, Qatar), Michael Chretien (Bursaspor, Turkey), Badr El Kaddouri (Celtic, Scotland), Abdelhamid El Kaoutari (Montpellier,France), Mehdi Benatia (Udinese, Italy), Abdelfattah Boukhriss (FUS Rabat), Mustapha Mrani (MAS), Ahmed Kantari (Brest, France)

Midfielders: Houcine Kharja (Fiorentina, Italy), Adil Hermach (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Karim Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Younes Belhanda (Montpellier, France), Mbark Boussoufa (Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia), Youssouf Hadji (Rennes, France), Mehdi Carcela (Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia)

Forwards: Noureddine Amrabat (Kayserispor, Turkey), Oussama Assaidi (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Youssef El Arabi (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Adel Taarabt (Queens Park Rangers, England), Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal, England)

Niger:

Goalkeepers: Daouda Kassaly (Coton Sport, Cameroon), Rabo Saminou (Sahel SC), Lossény Doumbia (DC Motema Pembe, DR Congo)

Defenders: Koffi Dan Kowa (ES Zarzis, Tunisia), Kader Amadou Dodo (Olympic FC), Mohamed Chikoto (Platinium Stars, South Africa), Mohamed Soumaïla (Olympic FC), Djibrilla Moussa (AS Garde Nationale), Souleymane Mazadou (Union Sportive Marignanaise, France), Jimmy Bulus (Hussein Dey, Algeria), Issiaka Koudize (AS Garde Nationale)

Midfielders: Idrissa Laouali (AS FAN), Abdoul-Karim Lancina (Coton Sport, Cameroon), William Tonji Ngounou (IF Limhamn, Sweden), Olivier Harouna Bonnes (Lille, France), Yacouba Ali (Africa Sports, Ivory Coast), Idrissa Saïdou (Coton Sport, Cameroon), Boubacar Talatou (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Moutari Amadou (Akokana FC), Issoufou Boubacar (FC Phuket, Thailand)

Attackers: Moussa Maazou (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Issoufou Alhassane Dante (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Kamilou Daouda (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)

Tunisia:

Goalkeepers: Rami Jeridi (Stade Tunisien), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile du Sahel), Moez Ben Cherifia (Esperance)

Defenders: Khalil Chammam (Esperance), Anis Boussaidi (Rostov, Russia), Aymen Abdennour (Toulouse, France), Bilel Iffa (Club Africain), Karim Haggui (Hannover, Germany), Ammar Jemal (FC Cologne, Germany)

Midfielders: Adel Chedli (Etoile du Sahel), Oussama Darragui (Esperance), Mejdi Traoui (Esperance), Khaled Korbi (Esperance), Wissem Ben Yahia (Mersin, Turkey), Yassine Chikhaoui (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Hocine Ragued (Karabukspor, Turkey), Jamel Saihi (Montpellier, France)

Forwards: Issam Jemaa (Auxerre, France), Zouhaier Dhaouadi (Club Africain), Youssef Msakni (Esperance), Saber Khelifa (Evian, France), Amine Chermiti (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Sami Allagui (Mainz, Germany)

GROUP D

Botswana:

Goalkeepers: Modiri Marumo (Bay United, South Africa), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers)

Defenders: Mompathi Thuma (BDF XI), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Musa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Monametsi Kelebale (NICO), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)

Midfielders: Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane (all Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos, South Africa) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), Patrick Motsepe, Tshireletso (BDF XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Rollers)

Strikers: Jerome Ramatlhakwane (Unattached), Diphetogo Selolwane (SuperSport, South Africa), Onalethata Tshekiso (Rollers), Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United, South Africa)

Ghana:

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), John Paintsil (Leicester City, England), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbim, China), John Boye (Rennes, France), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Charles Takyi (St Pauli, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese ,Italy), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Mohammed Abu (Stromsgodset, Norway), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France)

Forwards: Prince Tagoe (Bursaspor, Turkey), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France)

Guinea:

Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Camara (Alcoyano, Spain), Abdoul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Naby Yattara (Arles-Avignon, France)

Defenders: Thierno Bah (Lausanne, Switzerland), Dianbodo ‘Bobo’ Balde (Arles-Avignon, France), Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (Djoliba, Mali), Lanfia Camara (WS Woluwe, Belgium), Morlaye Cisse (EGS Gafsa, Tunisia), Ibrahima Diallo (Waasland Beveren, Belgium), Kamil Zayatte (Buyuksehir, Turkey), Oumar Kalabane (Al Dhafra, United Arab Emirates)

Midfielders: Mamadou Dioulde Bah (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Habib Jean Balde (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Sadio Diallo (Bastia, France), Pascal Feindouno (Sion, Switzerland), Naby Soumah (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)

Forwards: Alhassane Bangoura (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Ismael Bangoura (Al Nasr, United Arab Emirates), Ousmane Barry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Abdoul Camara (Sochaux, France), Ibrahima Conte (Ghent, Belgium), Ibrahim Traore (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Ibrahima Yattara (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia).

Mali:

Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France), Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien), Alimamy Sogoba (As Réal).

Defenders: Ousmane Coulibaly (Brest, France), Idrissa Coulibaly (Esperance Tunis, Tunisia), Drissa Diakite (Nice, France), Cedric Kante (Panathinaikos, Greece), Mohamed Fofana (Toulouse, France), Adama Tamboura (Metz, France ), Mouhamadou N’Diaye (Vitoria Guimarães, Portugal), Abdoulaye Maiga (USM Alger, Algeria).

Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Barcelona, Spain), Kalilou Traoré (OB Odense, Denmark), Bakay Traore (Nancy, France), Abdou Traore (Bordeaux, France), Samba Diakite (Nancy, France), Mahamane Traore (Metz , France), Sidi Koné (Lyon, France), Samba Sow (Lens, France).

Forwards: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, France), Garra Dembele (Freiburg, Germany), Cheick Diabate (Bordeaux, France), Mustapha Yatabare (Guingamp, France).