* Tuesday, 02 February 2010 | | Black Stars arrives home to a tumultuous welcome * Source: GNA | Accra, Feb 2, GNA - Ghana's National Soccer Team, the Black Stars, arrived home this evening from Angola, after taking second place in the just ended African Cup of Nations.
They lost their final match to the Pharaohs of Egypt.
A large crowd gathered at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), to welcome the Black Stars, amidst drumming and dancing. Mr. Rashid Pelpuo, out-going Minister of Youth and Sports, who accompanied the team to Angola, said at a press conference at the KIA that although some people had little faith in the team because of the absence of some key players, the stars had proved them wrong by their excellent performance.
He expressed gratitude for the rousing welcome that was given to the team, adding: "It shows that it is worth dying a little for Ghana." Mr. Pelpuo, accompanied by Nii Nortey Duah, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said football served as a key unifying factor in the country, adding that the government would continue to support the game as best as possible.
Ms. Akua Sena Dansoa, in-coming Minister of Youth and Sports, said the ability of the stars to "die a little for Ghana", and their determination had made them come back as heroes.
"We are praying for you and hope your example would be emulated," she added.
Mr. Kwesi Awhoi, Minister of Agriculture, praised the stars and said their excellent performance against the pharaohs, qualified them as heroes, despite the fact that they lost the match.
He urged them to continue with their hard work in order to lift the flag of Ghana high, adding, "If there is any one thing that unites this country, then it is football."
Mr. Richard Kingston, Captain of the Black Stars and Goal Keeper, on behalf of the team expressed, gratitude for the kingly welcome given to the Black Stars.
"We would have loved to come with the cup but our wish is not the wish of God," he said.
Mr. Kingston thanked Ghanaians and all fans and supporters of the Black Stars for welcoming the team back home honourably. The Stars are expected to attend a lunch with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle at 1400 hours on Tuesday. | | | 450-Cheer Contingent: Some Ladies Were There For Sexual Purposes Alleges MP * Source: PeaceFM | According to an PeaceFM interview with the Member of Parliament for Evalue-Gwira in the Western Region, Hon Catherine Afeku; Mrs Afeku is alleging that some of the ladies who were part of the over 400-support group sent by the Government to Angola, were actually used for other purposes aside cheering the Senior National Team, the Black Stars, to victory.
It would be recalled that prior to the Black Stars’ epic encounter with the Pharaohs of Egypt in the finals AFCON 2010, President J.E.A Mills directed the Chief of Staff, Mr. Martey-Newman, to organize a 200 Ghanaian contingent to Angola to rally support for the team. Asked if she meant the ladies were sent on the trip to practice prostitution, the Honourable MP hit the roof and combusted in exclamation, “that word is very derogatory”.
“I find that word insulting; there's no such thing whatsoever. Don’t put words in my mouth. It was only meant as a word of caution…I find it even nauseating to repeat the word (prostitution) after you,” she stated. We`ll keep you updated! Source: ghana-net.com / news | > BACK to TOP < | NPP Votes Under Tight Security * Source: Daily Guide | The much-talked about Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) congress which was saddled with court injunctions finally came off yesterday at the Ghana National Cultural Centre (GNCC) in Kumasi amidst tight security.
Armed police officers were seen stationed at vantage points at the election grounds to maintain law and order during the polls whose outcome saw Yaw Robert Owusu Amankwah, the incumbent chairman, polling 267 as opposed to Frederick Fredua Anto’s 421, who won the day.
In the First Vice Chairmanship category, Nana Opong polled 52, Nana Ochere Bonsu, 204, Dr. Kwame Asubonteng, 41, Alhaji Sheriff, former Ghana Ambassador to Guinea, 395. In the 2nd Vice Chairmanship race, Kwesi Acheampong pulled out at the last minute, with Sam Cudjoe polling 313 and Kwabena Nsenkyira, 366.
For the position of Secretary, John Owusu Boakye polled 253 and Sam Pyne, 435 whilst for Assistant Secretary, Samuel Owusu Afriyie garnered 240 votes as opposed to Kwame Asamoah Boateng’s 453. For Treasurer, Hagar Asante got 480, beating John Atiemo who polled 213.
In the race for the position of Organiser, Opoku Bonsu annexed 283 votes, Sekyerehene Agyapong, 9, Ben Abdallah, 65 and Kennedy Kankam, 335. As regards the Women’s Organiser slot, Mary Brobbey had 329 votes, with Alberta Owusu Ansah garnering 323 votes.
The Youth Organiser went to Gideon Buoko who polled 394 whilst Agyenim Boateng got 48 and Kweku Frimpong, 249. Policemen detailed to the venue acted in a professional manner. Exhibiting professionalism, the police prevented non-delegates from entering the election grounds, allowing only those mandated to vote to enter.
Prior to the elections which was called off on several occasions due to injunctions, rumours were rife in town that something nasty could happen on the voting day. Speculations about the arrival of muscularly-built men at the instance of some contestants turned out to be untrue by the time the polls ended.
Even party faithful that were denied entry to the election grounds by the police officers were seen singing and dancing to the party tunes outside the venue. One of the police officers, in a chat with DAILY GUIDE, said he was extremely happy with the civilized manner in which the NPP delegates conducted themselves.
According to him, the police were yet to encounter any difficulty with regard to maintaining peace and order at the place as at 4:00pm, adding, “My brother, with a closely-contested election of this nature, the NPP fans have done a yeoman’s job.”
In all, 724 delegates cast their ballots to select nine people to occupy the vacant positions and steer the affairs of the party in its strongest fortress for the next four years.
The polls started around 11:00am just after the contestants and the party’s National Chairman, Peter Mac Manu, had taken turns to address the mammoth crowd.
Enthusiastic-looking delegates of the party were seen storming the venue for the historic event as early as 6:00 am, amid singing of party tunes and chants of names of their favourites.
The euphoric atmosphere at the election venue suddenly caught up with the entire Garden City in a matter of minutes, as every corner of the city was seen painted with the red, white and blue colours of the NPP.
Residents of the hitherto quiet city, notably market women, were for the first time since the 2008 polls, seen dressed in the party’s colours even as they sold their wares.
The carnival atmosphere which had characterized the election process at the GNCC also manifested at every nook and cranny of the regional capital, with party faithful sounding confident about their beloved NPP bouncing back into political power in 2012.
Considering the manner in which the party’s colours had been used to paint the Garden City, one could think that the next general election was just around the corner.
Sharing his view with DAILY GUIDE, Kwabena Nsenkyire, who contested for the First Vice Chairman position, said he was so elated to see the colours of the NPP flying high in Kumasi again after many months of slumber.
“We have been quiet for a long time. We have failed to announce our presence in the city which is our stronghold since our shocking defeat to the NDC in the last elections.”
Nsenkyire, who is the Assemblyman for Dichemso/Moshie Zongo electoral area in the Manhyia Constituency, noted that the emergence of the party’s colours would send a strong warning to the ruling NDC that the NPP was as vibrant as ever and ready to win the next polls.
He entreated the party’s numerous supporters to sustain the momentum even after the successful end of the congress so as to make campaigning for the 2012 polls a bit easier and smooth. | > BACK to TOP < |
_____________________________________________________ ----- | | | Tuesday, 02 February 2010 | - Black Stars arrives home to a tumultuous welcome - 450-Cheer Contingent: Some Ladies Were There For Sexual Purposes Alleges MP - NPP Votes Under Tight Security - Nana Congratulates NPP Regional Executives | | | Archived News for 2010 | Go to 01.02.2010 Go to 31.01.2010 Go to 30.01.2010 Go to 29.01.2010 | | Your REPORT Your STORIES * Your PHOTOS PUBLISH NOW! | 
| | All about the Ghana Election 2008 | | | 
| | | | * 02.02.2010 | Nana Congratulates NPP Regional Executives * Source: MyJoyOnline | The 2008 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has congratulated members and officers of the party for the successful elections across all ten regions. He noted that the elections were conducted in a peaceful, credible and efficient manner ensuring that they were exciting and competitive.
In a statement issued on Monday, Nana Addo stated that “the high level of participation, enthusiasm and camaraderie that these series of elections generated among our activists are indications of their collective energy and commitment to the struggle ahead in 2012”.
He intimated that though it has been a difficult task nominating approximately 105,000 polling station officers, nearly 4,000 constituency officers and some 170 regional officers, this phase of reorganizing the party has come to a successful conclusion with Monday’s Regional Conference at the party’s largest stronghold, the Ashanti Region.
“I congratulate the Chairman, Mr. Frederick Fredua Anto and the new executives, and wish them, along with all the other regional officers across the country, the very best," he said.
“I congratulate Mr. Robert Yaw Amankwa and all former executives across the country for their service and dedication to the cause of the party over the years and I urge all who participated in the elections, winners and losers alike, to continue to see themselves as members of the great elephant family,” Nana added.
He advised all who contested, whether they won or lost, to rally behind the new party officers in order to strengthen “our resolve and singleness of purpose to capture power in 2012”. “We should all remember that the Ghanaian people are looking up to us to provide a strong, positive alternative to the failing government of the NDC. We cannot fail them,” he emphasized. | | | | | | |
|