By Samuel Kissiedu
Watching the Black stars go down by 0-2 to Kumasi Asante Kotoko, thousands of soccer fans left the Accra stadium last Saturday very worried over the fate awaiting the national team of South Africa '96. With less than a month to kick-off of the 16-nation Africa soccer fiesta, expectation among fans was that the star-studded Black Stars will use this last of two trial matches at home, to signal their battle readiness. But how wrong everybody was. The story last Saturday was not different from the first trial match last Thursday in which Accra Hearts of Oak exposed the rough edges of the Black Stars in a goalless drawn game. The squad that played last Saturday was slightly different from last Wednesday's. Players like Anthony Yeboah, Nii Lamptey, C.K. Akunnor, Yaw Acheampong, Prince Polley left for Europe after the Hearts match. Kotoko amply confirmed the poverty of tactical discipline, team work, utilisation of set pieces in the Stars camp.
Individually, the Stars exhibited some brilliance and players like Ali Ibrahim, Sam Johnson, Emmanuel Armah, goalkeeper Nanabanyin Crentsil quite excelled. Led in attack by back-to-batan Ali Ibrahim, the Stars initiated a couple of moves which erratic as they were, ended abruptly given the alertness of Kotoko's defenders, built around libero Abu Zeid. The "Porcupine Warriors" were delighted to watch and came close to scoring several times but good anticipation by goalkeeper Crentsil robbed them. The sustained pressure of the "Porcupine Warriors" yielded fruits seven minutes into the second half when Prince Adu Poku headed home a well-taken corner by Prince Amoako. The goal exposed Crentsil's problem with aerial balls.
The stars substituted Frank Amankwaa who had a terribly bad afternoon, for Stephen Baidoo while Shamo Quaye gave way to Robert Saba in a bid to equalise but poor co-ordination was to be their undoing while goalkeeper Anthony Osei Kwadwo also pulled some brilliant saves. The best chance fell to Ali Ibrahim in the 80th minute but he shot into the side not before an empty post. Just when everything pointed to a 1-0 win for Kotoko, Prince Amoako increased the tally to two, amid wild protests from the Stars and their coach Ismael Kurtz who claimed that the goal was scored from an offside position.
Referee Osei Nsiah of Cape Coast ignored the flag of Linesman One Christian Akuetteh which was up before Amoako shot into an empty net after Anthony Asamoah had beaten goalkeeper Crentsil to lay on the pass.
By Osbert Lartey
The Vice-President, Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah, has described the claim by the NDC that it could have won the 1992 elections without an alliance with the NCP as "utter rubbish and deceitful".
In a speech delivered at the NCP's National Congress held in Kumasi last Saturday, the Vice-President old 600 delegates of the party drawn from 200 constituencies that the NDC and the NCP fought the elections on equal strength and won a responding victory. "Without us, they could not have won", said Mr. Arkaah. He dared the NDC to go it alone in the forthcoming elections.
Mr. Arkaah did not spare the wolves in the NCP. In a scathing remark, he said certain cliques within the NCP sacrificed Nkrumahism on the alters of political expediency by using violence, character assassination, lies intimidation, and terror tactics to scatter the NCP. He said that others too constituted themselves into a cabal of political prostitutes, who are now masquerading as so-called defectors from the party to undermine the political credibility and integrity of the NCP. The Vice-President said the NCP was in full agreement that for the Nkrumahist to win the elections, all the various groups and parties must unite. But the inability to reach an agreement with the other Nkrumahist parties at the time led the NCP to enter into an electoral alliance with the NDC on equal terms as the only hope for the country's peace, stability and continued growth.
Enumerating the NCP's policies and programmes before his audience, Mr. Arkaah said the NCP will strife to establish an economy based on genuine partnership between the private and public sector and not the dogmatic privatisation which in most cases ends up in 'foreignisation'. He kicked against the arbitrary imposition of taxes and said the NCP shall campaign against the re-introduction of exorbitant tax rates and other import levies on the poor people in the name of VAT. Mr. Arkaah stressed the NCP's commitment to wage a campaign against unfair, illegal and unprincipled advantage given to certain individuals and companies by way of waivers from payment of lawful import duties in the fishing industry. The chilling but refreshingly prophetic part of the Vice-President's speech was when he told the delegates that an Nkrumahist government will offer strong, human and caring leadership in order to put a human face to the Ghanaian personality but not the extra judicial killings and outrageous, inhuman and barbarous laws which offer an umbrella for individuals to perpetuate lawless acts with impunity.
Touching on the much-needed opposition alliance, the vice-president said the choice now is between those who want to continue with unprincipled and arbitrary rule of the past and those of the traditional political parties whose policies and aspirations reflect. On the merger of all the Nkrumahist parties, Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah expressed his total commitment to the cause and said as an integral part of the CPP family, the NCP is fully committed to unity of the Nkrumah family. "We are fully in agreement that the Nkrumahist tradition must unite. Our concept of unity is an organic one and not any form of political horsetrading. We must remember that time is not on our side."
The vice-president expressed his appreciation for the confidence reposed in him to lead the party. "As your leader, the pressure on me may be numerous and diverse, but to enable me to hold together and reconcile the conflicting claims of rival factions within the party, I shall need your understanding, your support and your co-operation at all times. Without you, I am nothing but with you I can do everything for the good of our nation", he told the over enthusiastic delegates and supporters of the party.
Chronicle has learnt that more ministers and other public office holders will be hauled before the Commission for Human Rights early next year to defend the acquisition of assets for which their administration shot, killed and jailed others.
Sources close to the commission hinted the Chronicle that it will be completely unjustified if only those who have been named so far are probed. All other public officials who get hoisted by the commission or "believable" press reports will be invited. The Ghanaian Times confirmed earlier speculations that Messrs P.V. Obeng and Ibrahim Adam will be starring some time in January as a number of press reports by the Free Press, The Chronicle and the Statesman have all named them in alleged massive fraudulent acquisitions. P.V. who has just returned from overseas with the President has been sighted with some of his "contracts" in South Africa basking in South Africa's playground for the rich and famous tourists, Sun City. Apart from the presence of a number of pretty chicks including a 19-year-old stunner, Chronicle vigilante "stringers" reported seeing Messrs Duodu Kumi and Ike Duker, P.V.'s known "eyes" and "nose" who he has at The Crown Agents, the British government's procurement agency in Accra.
Castle sources have indicated that the President is determined to clear his reputation by supporting the probe that will help weed out those who are contributing to his unpopularity in this election year. "They are on their own", the source said as reports continued to pour in of elaborate attempts to hide assets and use front men. The fear is that those who agree to be front men will have to appear before the commission too to justify how they came about those properties. Today Messrs C.B. Ntim and Adjei-Marfo will submit to cross-examination to counsel for Nana Kofi Coomson, 33-year-year corporate Lawyer Joe Ghartey of Ghartey, Ghaartey and Co.
By Olivia Nyarko
Colonel Osei-Wusu (RTD) has denied total ownership of the North Legon House for which he is being probed. He told the Commission on Human rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Friday, that his wife partly owned the house. Commissioner Short expressed surprise by saying : "at no point in time did I get the impression that the house belonged to you and your wife."
According to the Commissioner, the assets declaration forms from CHRAJ had provided ample space and opportunity for him to separate his assets from those of his wife and also to five details of what belonged to his wife. The retired Colonel, who is also the Minister of the Interior in an answer to Commissioner Short's query said he used about ¢40 million from his wife to help build the house. However, through persistent questioning, it also came to light that Col. Osei-Wusu declared the ¢40 million of the assets forms as his own. He specified that the money was the proceeds from the sale of a house in Kumasi. According to Mr. Kom, leading counsel for the Minister, the Kumasi house was a "50th birthday present from Col. Osei-Wusu to Mrs Maargaret Osei-Wusu for services rendered". "Sir, with my wife's permission I sold the house and the purpose was to use the proceeds of sale to purchase something for her", the Colonel told the three-member panel.
Commissioner Short queried "if the hose belonged to your wife and the proceeds of sales were also hers, then why did you submit the ¢40 million to us as part of your assets. Moreover, you added the annual rent of 12,000 of your wife's house to your assets".
Col Osei-Wusu put in a lame reason: "Sir, permit me to submit a letter from the Internal Revenue to the commission. They sent us a letter dated September 28, 1995 for details on the payment of capital tax on the house. My wife replied the letter explaining to them that I had her permission to administer the house on her behalf. Therefore, this reflected on my annual tax returns. They did not see any problem with that arrangement. It did not see any problem with that arrangement. It was purely a tax issue." Commissioner Short replied: "I am not talking about a tax issue here. What I am concerned with is where the money went to." The Commissioner reminded Col. Osei- Wusu who was under oath that it was necessary for his evidence to tally with the details on his assets form, to avoid inconsistency. Mr. Kom asked that his client be pardoned because "he is just a lay man who is giving evidence on highly technical matters". However, Commissioner Short reminded him that there could be problems if Col. Osei-Wusu gave the house to another person. "My lord, that sort of thing would not happen to my client. His wife is happy that her ¢40 million is invested in a building in her husbands name", Mr. Kom said.
The Independent, a private weekly had alleged that the Minister's North Legon house was worth ¢600 million, and therefore, doubted how a public official with an annual income of about seven million cedis could build such a "good house".
From Dominic Jale, Kumasi
Mr. Kwabena Darko, the 1992 Presidential Candidate for the erstwhile National Independent Party (NIP) has said that Ghanaians owe the private press a debt of gratitude for their untiring efforts in exposing corruption involving top government officials. "Special credit must be accorded the private press for exposing the type of people in the ruling government", he said in a chat with the Chronicle in Kumasi.
Mr. Darko said but for the hard working journalists of the private press of today many people would want to cheat on society and cover their crimes. He also commended the private press for the useful criticisms of government officials. "Any human being who does not want to be criticised cannot be a success", he cautioned. Mr. Darko further charged the private press not to relent in their efforts in serving the interest of the nation. The poultry magnate who quit active politics after the 1992 elections, hinted that he would soon declare his position on the political front. He lauded the opposition alliance and the move to unite all Nkrumahists but reserved his comments till the appropriate time.
From George Frank Asmah, Cape Coast
Odeneho oduro numapau II, President of the National House of Chiefs has claimed that 'most of the press houses in this country are carrying news that are false, exaggerated and calculated to damage the image of the country."
In a fit of inexplicable anger, Nana Oduro Numapau who is also a member of the nominal Council of State, said "the media hide under press freedom and critize government policies and take delight in insulting the Head of State and his wife and other important personalities" in the country.
Speaking at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs at Cape Cost on November 29, 1995. Nana Oduro Numapau said, "Nananom are of the firm conviction that this is not customary. "Our tradition does not allow this and we advise that such attitudes adopted by the media should stop." Nana Oduro Numapau took a swipe at the unnamed news paper :that carried a story to the effect that Nananom shall be trooping to t he Castle on the arrival of the President and his wife from USA", and queried "what stops Nananom from welcoming the Head of State from a successful trip to congratulate him and his wife on honours conferred on them"? He added: "We hope and pray that their efforts will yield fruitful results to alleviate poverty, hunger and unemployment, particularly of the youth in this country." The president of the National House of Chiefs said "the Standing Committee on behalf of the chiefs and people of Ghana take this opportunity to congratulate Flt. Lt. Dr. Dr. President Rawlings and his wife on the doctorate degrees conferred on them by the Lincoln University. Nananom again, congratulate the President and his entourage on their successful investment tour of USA".
Nana Oduro Numapau, however, said the aim of the Standing Committee's visit was to meet members of the Regional House of Chiefs, assess and appraise developments specific regions and evaluate peculiar problems that confronted them. Nana Oduro Numapau who was the Deputy National Electoral Commissioner during the controversial 1992 elections also appealed to the Electoral Commission "to reconsider reopening the voter's register in future to enable those of our citizens who become eligible to register before the 1996 elections." He called for "Nananom's involvement in the sharing of the District Assemblies Common Fund", saying that "even though a few of Nananom are member of the district Assemblies, it would seem reasonable if Nananom are formally consulted before the Common Fund allocation is shared so as to ensure equitable distribution:.
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, Denkyirahene and President of the Central Region House of Chiefs, however, said "the alleged withdrawal of government from participating in PANAFEST '96 is of great concern to Nananom of the Central Region". In anticipation of the periodic festival, Nana Amponsem said, heavy investments had been made in the hotel industry and other tourist attractions which will heavily be patronised during PANAFEST '96 to earn the nation the needed foreign exchange. "It is not too late for government to reconsider its alleged withdrawal' he said, adding that, PANAFEST is one of the major boosters of our young tourist industry". He described as "most unfortunate", the non-involvement of chiefs in the acquisition of lands for government projects and the grant of concessions and pointed out that, "Chief either own or hold ands in trust in trust for the people".
From Sam Okaitey, Abidjan
South Africa's Orlando Pirates on Saturday beat Cote d'Ivoire's Asec Mimosa 1-0 in Abidjan to win this year's Africa Clubs Championship title and to cause one of the biggest shocks ever recorded in the continent's football history. The fatal blow of the Pirates, administered 15 minutes to the end as well as the drama, technique and action sold out to the capacity crowd, was also South Africa's signal to the rest that a new and formidable challenge has entered the game in Africa. Returning home from South Africa, with a respectable 2-2 away draw in the first leg, Asec's historic mission in Saturday's return leg had been perceived as a foregone conclusion to win the Clubs Championship first time for Cote d'Ivoire. Mimosa owed that duty to both their nation and their supporters, said anywhere in Africa. And in typical Mimosa fashion, the crowd turned out all-yellow, over-flowing their own stronghold of Houphouet oigny Sports Stadium with high expectation for the ultimate victory. Behind the walls of the stadium, television units were positioned for those unable to find space within and still or more, radio commentary boomed from giant loud speakers. None was left out in the show. Inside the stadium, the only support for Orlando Pirates could only have come from the group of 32, comprising writers, commentators, photographers and T.V. crew from various South African media houses that accompanied the team, on what had looked an impossible mission. The atmosphere aside, Asec looked every bit that intimidating side with the same familiar faces that have seen he club dominating the Ivorian league for close to a decade how. Asec are loaded with nine national team players and Orlando Pirates with six so what followed could be a clue o each side's national strength. Conscious of their status as the underdogs, Orlando Pirates played a defensive-minded game rich in tactics. And with the fans roaring out their anxiety, Asec threw everything into attack, with Abdoulaye Troare, Donald Sie and Serge Magui working really hard. But during the period of Asec's early rage, the star performer was Orlando's Nigerian import William Okpara, in posts. Okpara indeed must take the largest credit for Orlando's victory for superb goalkeeping and in the 47th minute against Abdoulaye Traore, he did what will remain in he fans' memory for a long time. Taking a pass close to the penalty box, Traore released a shot which Okapara parried miraculously. But the keeper displayed a more astonishing magic when the striker returned the rebound with a scissor kick, he lifted himself from a sprawling position to parry again to corner. The pressure on the South Africans was such that Asec had the luxury sometime to call up Atta Kouame and Lassina Dao from heir defensive duties to join the attack. In the 60th minute, however, Orlando, also the most famous club in South Africa stirred the home team with the truth that getting too committed upfront could be dangerous. Their swift counter attack must have had the hear of the stadium pounding but goalkeeper Seydou Diarra came out sliding to get the ball off the feet of Jerry Sikosama for a throw-in. Still responding to the yearnings of their roaring fans, Asec pinned the Pirates down to what was almost a one-sided striking mission but with a shot and a header hitting the cross-bar and Okpara celebrating a great afternoon of goalkeeping, the unwillingness to crumble created more anxiety in the Asec fold. Soaking up all the pressure, Orlando had withdrawn everything into defence, leaving only blond haired Mark up-front almost doing nothing. But the decisive moment came when with all their concentration elsewhere, Asec dropped their defensive guard. Orlando's Malawi' import, Hlemy Mkalele shot a long one in search of some relief. Strangely, Asec's defenders Lassina and Guel Tchiressou going for the same ball rather went for each other clashing violently. Dangerman Sikosama quickly took advantage, sneaked through the confused defenders, coolly dribbled keeper edou and sliced into the far side of the net to break the heart of Asec and win the 31st Africa Clubs Cup for Pirates with a 3-2 aggregate. The magnificent trophy was presented jointly by Ivorian President Konan Bedie and CAF President Issa Hayatou to skipper Edward Motale.
By Kwabena Ofosuhene
Dr. Isaac Kofi Adjei Maafo, Presidential Staffer On Cocoa Schedule said yesterday that he needs to be commended and not commenced for what he had done for the cocoa industry and the country. He told the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) panel probing him for illegal acquisition of wealth that due to the cost effective measures including the redeployment exercise undertaken by him and his team of reformers, the industry has been revamped.
The industry he said, will earn a surplus of ¢20 billion on its turn-over of ¢121 billion for this year. Dr. Adjei Maafo said last year, the industry earned extra ¢15.5 billion on its turn-over of ¢117 billion and attributed the successes to the reforms. He expressed regret that instead of being praised for saving the industry, he is being persecuted by those affected by the redeployment exercise stressing, " I must be commended and not condemned for what I have done for the country."
Led in evidence by counsel, Mr. Joe Lamptey, Dr. Adjei Maafo flatly denied that he had flown his wife, children and in-laws to London to wed his wife, Mr. Paulina Adjei Maafo. He said the last trip he took to London with his wife, was in August 1994 and they were accompanied only by their eldest son, Kofi Adjei Maafo Jnr.
Dr. Adjei Maafo said he wedded his wife here in Ghana and challenged anyone who want to know to find out from the Registrar -General's office. He also denied that Mr. C.B. Ntim, Managing Director of the Produce Buying Company (PBC) also flew to London with his family to attend the wedding. Dr. Adjei Maafo said the last time his father-in-law travelled outside the country, was in 1972 when he was sent to London on a course whilst working as a senior technician with the University of Science and Technology (UST).
He said his mother-in-law had never travelled outside the country and neither have his children other than the eldest son. Dr. Adjei Maafo denied that he had travelled to London to check on his "fat" foreign bank account and said the only foreign bank account he maintains is in Australia. He admitted the he has a nephew, Kofi Bosompem at the Ho branch of the Bank for Housing and Construction (BHC) but rejected allegations that he has been transacting transfers into his foreign accounts for him. Dr. Adjei Maafo said he owns only one car and not a fleet of vehicles as alleged by a section of the press. He conceded, however, that when necessary, he requests COCOBOD for vehicles to convey items to his home town but added that he does this as an employee of the sector without abusing the system.
Dr. Adjei Maafo denies that he owns a mansion at Madina, a suburb of Accra and said the said house belongs to his uncle, Mr. Pinkrah of Cape Coast. He said the house at Akim Awisa, his hometown was constructed by him and his senior brother Dr. Kwakye aafo of Kumasi at ¢2.3 million. He disclosed that they, however, undertook renovation and construction of the guest wing to the house at ¢16.5 million. Dr. Adjei Maafo said his brother contributed ¢5 million whilst he provided ¢9.5 million and another ¢2 million from an overdraft from the BHC, Mobil House, Accra, all of which he had declared to the commission.
He denied any knowledge of having put one Victoria Addo in the family way. He said "as far as I am concerned, nobody by that name has come forward to say I have impregnated her. If anybody comes to say that I am convinced, as a responsible father, I will take the child and look after him." Nana Kofi Coomson, Editor-in Chief of the Ghanaian Chronicle, had earlier told the commission that he still stands by what he wrote on the cocoa industry. He said he has good reasons to believe his source of information which he described as "dependable." Nana Kofi Coomson said he had every reason to believe that Mr. Ntim once maintained a bank account at the Barclays Bank, Sloane Square in London. He said it is possible that Mr. Ntim might have had his account moved to another branch due to the frequent mergers of branches of banks in London. Nana Kofi Coomson said latest investigations indicate that Mr. Ntim's account has been moved to WoodGreen with code number 209821.
By Lloyd Evans
Trading activities at the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) have virtually slowed down as the result of the Bank of Ghana punitive measures against two stockbroking firms and a discount house. Since last week, volume of shares traded in have not exceeded 15,000 as against previous trading sessions where volume of shares traded stood above 50,000 shares per trading session.
The Bank of Ghana last week penalised Databank Brokerage Ltd, EBG Stockbroker Ltd and Security Discount company (SDC) for contravening rules governing the operations of the financial market. Databank was suspended from the trading floor of the exchange while EBG Stockbrokers were terminated. According to the brokerage houses, the remedial measures taken by the Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. G.K. Agama, who is also the Sole Commissioner of the Security Regulatory Commission was too harsh and could be counter productive in the development of the country's young capital market. They contended that the issue of irregularities should have been dealt with at a round-table meeting between the dealing members, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the commissioner. Most of the dealing members according to them, have developed cold feet as shown in the dismal performance of trading activities.
And at the close of business yesterday (18/12/94) 15,230 shares were traded in as against last Friday's close of 5,630 shares. The share prices of three equities, AGC, FML and MLC recorded down price movement as against two equities, KBL and UTC-E which recorded up price movement. AGC lost ¢50 to settle at ¢24,300 while FML was down by ¢13 to open the week at ¢337. MLC closed at ¢45 down by ¢4 from its previous closing prices. KBL was up by ¢5 to open the week at ¢605 with UTC-E gaining ¢3 to settle at ¢55. The following are the closing prices for the rest of the equities: ABL ¢240, CFAO ¢28, EIC ¢465, GGL ¢220, HFC ¢117, MGL ¢130, MOGL ¢4,800, PAF ¢1330, PTC ¢127, PZ ¢430, SCB ¢5,800, SPPC ¢106, SSB ¢804 and UNIL ¢850. The GSE All-Shares Index closed at 317.36 points down by 0.29 points to open the week at 317.65 points. Total bids closed at 175,260 as against 468,240 shares that were put on the market. Meanwhile four executive directors of AGC have been granted additional options to acquire shares of the company at an exercise price of $20.43 per share. They are Mr. Sam Jonah, 3,150 shares, Mr. C.L. Smith 2,100 shares, Dr. J.A. Clarke and Mr. M.B. Ketley 1,820 each.
AUSTIN SUSPECTED Swoop, The Attorney General, Dr. Obed Asamoah who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and de facto NDC Chairman has initiated action in court to halt the NCP from carrying on as a political party. The suit which will be heard at a date which is yet to be fixed came just 24 hours before the NCP was to hold their congress which came on in Kumasi and ended yesterday.
Dr. Obed Asamoah had also found it fruitful and of immense importance to have filed an identical suit to challenge the court's ruling last fortnight which granted leave to another Nkrumahist party, the People's Congress Party (PCP) to use the magical name the CPP Convention People's Party. Obed's writ is seeking an interim injunction to restrain the NCP and its interim executive "from undertaking any political activity in the name of the defendant (NCP).."
An affidavit sworn to it by a lawyer at the Attoney General's office said that the recent change in the leadership of the NCP is a violation of the 1992 Constitution (Article 3 (2) and 55 (5) and the political parties law. The lawyer Ms. Sophia Rosseta Essah signing on behalf of Obed argues that the change of leadership should have been in conformity with the NCP's constitution and be supervised by the Electoral Commission. She complained about the NCP's planned congress (which took place over the weekend) and said "it will be unconstitutional as the congress will be called by an executive of the defendant which assumed power through unconstitutional means".
Amused PCP executives said that they know that Captain Kojo Tsikata who resigned from the Executive with other leading members of the NCP are behind this latest "panic" move to halt the increasing strength of the Nkrumaists groups that are not outside their sphere of influence. Messrs Ebow Tawiah, Ato Austin and Roland Atta-Kesson are some name that they thought are still beholden to the captain who is suspected to be dead against a united Nkrumaist grouping that wants an electoral alliance with the New Patriotic Party for next year's elections.
From Joshua Nimako
Hassacas Footbal Club, once the Giant of the West and now playing in the first division is poised to join their arch rivals Eleven Wise in the premier league come the next football session. This is because the present crop of players the club has can be rated to most of the clubs currently playing in the premier league.
According to Mr. Samuel S.F. Johnson the assistant team manager of the club, his boys are dedicated, committed and disciplined, saying that "before any meaningful success can take place such qualities cannot be played down. It is not only that he said "Our technical team is made up of experienced ex-footballers who because of the love for the club have devoted all their resources to ensure that the famous club regains its past glory. The members of the technical team he said are Isaac Acquaye as the head coach, P.S.K. Paha, team manager and Kuku Dadzie. The Assistant Team Manager who is also a private legal practitioner noted that all the men in the technical team were members of the victorious national team, the Black Stars which won the Africa cup in 1987 for keeps.
Re-counting some of the past achievement of HASMAL (DO-THE-DO), Mr. Johnson pointed out that, his club won the first ever novelty cup organised by Ghana Football Association (GFA) in 1977 and 1979/80 league session the club represented Ghana in the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) tournament and won the trophy. "They made us to be associated with the name WAFU Lords" he said. In addition, the assistant team manager said that, Hassacas got to the final stage of the WAFU competition the following year, pointing out that "for three years running we represented Ghana in WAFU competition. Prominent among the players who feature were Joe Carr and Emmanuel Quarshie, the ex-Black Star captain. Perhaps if there is any football club in Ghana today which has contributed so much to the building of the national team, the Black Stars, then one cannot forget Hassacas, because the club has been able to provide the Black Stars three captains in the person of Kuku Dadzie 1980, Emmanuel Quarshie 1982, and Isaac Paha 1984.
All these achievements, Mr. Johnson hinted would have been impossible without the support of Mr. E.A. Nartey a Timber Merchant who was the chairman of the club between 1973-1983.
GNA
The Institute of Aquatic Biology (IAB) has developed an improved system for fish farming that will increase inland fish production. Mr. M. Owusu-Frimpong, a research officer of the IAB who announced this in Accra yesterday (14/12), said the adoption of a "mono-sex culture" technique can increase yield by 260 per cent.
Mr. Owusu-Frimpong was speaking at a seminar on "Fisheries and Aquacultural Development in Ghana" as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the institute. He said studies by the institute has revealed that male tilapia increases production significantly. The research officer, therefore, advised fish farmers to adopt the mono-culture system of cultivating tilapia saying that this has proved to be easier and more effective than the mixed culture. Mr. Owusu-Frimpong who spoke on "Status of Aquaculture in Ghana", said previous efforts to develop fish farming and failed because farmers used inappropriate and ineffective techniques. Mr. Owusu-Frimpong said fish farming could be a very profitable venture saying a study has showed that farmers could make an average profit margin of 45%. He therefore, appealed to banks and other financiers to review the decision not to provide credit to fish farmers.
Mr. Frederick Dankwa, also a research officer of the institute, warned that certain species of fish are threatened and called for a programme to restock and preserve them. Mr. Dankwa who spoke on "Fish and Fishery Resources of Fresh Waters and Lagoons in Ghana," called for a legislation to support useful traditional fishing laws. He said fishing boats should be licensed to reduce pressure on lake fisheries and create protected fishing areas or reserves "to serve as natural banks to help sustain the lake fisheries." The function was chaired by Professor C. J. Vanderpuye, Chairman of the National Fisheries Commission and Head of Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of Ghana, Legon.
There is good news for all genuine Nkrumaists. They will soon be able to use the name Convention Peoples Party (CPP).
The return of the CPP follows a ruling last Friday by an Accra High Court. presided over by Justice Kwame Afreh that the denial of the use of the name proscribed parties by the PNDC Law 281 was inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution, While unity talks will continue the High Court decision will remove many of the constraints that have slowed down Nkrumaists unity. The ruling represents a major victory for unity-hungry Nkrumaists. In another ruling the High Court said it would not order the Electoral Commission to allow the PCP that brought the original action but PCP sources say that with the ruling on the use of names, they will file the necessary paper at NEC for the adoption of the name CPP.
The PCP was represented by a powerful legal team led by Johnny Worsemao Blay. For Lawyer Blay who initiated the action and was inspired by the legal wizardry of Quarshie Idun to pursue the case when many doubting Thomases thought the action would come to nothing, the court decision was a golden opportunity for all genuine Nukrumaists to rally under the name CPP. In a telephone conversation, Lawyer Blay currently in London on behalf of the family of the late Dr. John Ackah Blay-Miezah, said that ruling by Justice Afreh is not a victory for just the PCP, but a major gain for Human Rights in Ghana.
By Daniel Batidam
Murmurs of protest and disapproval characterised proceedings at last Monday's sitting of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) when Mr. Osei Agyeman Bempah, counsel for Mr. C.B. Ntim, Managing Director of Produce Buying Company repeatedly sounded not only intimidating but also personal in his cross-examination of the Editoral chief of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Kofi Coomson.
Mr. Osei Agyeman Bempah was cross-examining Kofi Coomson over allegations he made against his client when the editor gave evidence as a principal witness in the on-going probe into allegations of illegal acquisition of assets as well as other acts of misconduct by people in public office. Among the allegations levelled against Mr. C.B. Ntim are possession of several houses which the editor believes could not have been acquired through is known income, and stashing of hard currency in foreign accounts. The counsel for Mr. Ntim did not deny the fact that his client had some savings in a foreign bank but said they were not in London as the editor alleged but rather in Manchester.
Mr. Bempah also agreed with allegations made by the editor that Mr. Ntim has houses; including one at Teshie-Nungua and another at Kade, his hometown. He however denied that the Labone house which was mentioned by the editor had been built by Mr. Ntim for his wife. Mr. Agyeman Bempah conceded that it was wrong for anyone to think women could not build houses of their own. He drew attention to the fact that Mrs. Ntim has been working at the Bank of Ghana since 1971 and is currently the Chief Manager and Head of the Treasury Department of the Bank. In his view there is no reason to think that a woman in such high office was not capable of building her own house. Counsel also "suggested" that both the house built at Kade (which he claimed was still to be completed) and that refurbished at Teshie-Nungua were financed from legitimate sources as against the editor's suggestion that they were illegally acquired.
Perhaps what shocked most people present, especially pressmen, was the fact that rather than presenting the facts as they are while leaving the final judgement to the Commission and the good people of Ghana. Mr. Ntim's counsel rather spent a good deal of his time dramatising on what was to be described by Commissioner Short Himself as "irrelevant" issues. At a point he openly charged on the editor: "I call people's bluff", while turning to the crowd as if to say here, I deal with the small boy!! But unmoved by the apparent attempts at intimidation, Kofi Coomson fired back, removing a document which was later to be known to be a pay-in-slip of 500 pounds that was paid into Mr. Ntim's London account which the latter had earlier denied as non-existent" And I call your bluff now", Coomson said. Before long the learned lawyer was at his wits end and in a rather apologetic tone he turned to Kofi Coomson saying 'Kofi, your work and mine is the same, to assist the Commission"
. So provocative were the utterances of the lawyer and the responses from Editor Coomson that on several occasions it took the Commissioner himself and later one of his deputies, Mrs Angelina Domakyaareh to stop the protagonists from further use of inappropriate language and deviations. (Commissioner Short himself left hall in the middle of proceedings and it was virtually Mrs Dormakyaareh who took control until the end of the day's sitting). Earlier, editor Coomson had been taken on by Dr. Adjei Marfo's counsel, Mr. Joe Lamptey. In his examination he had also accused the editor of "double standards" upon his admission that he has been paying moneys to public officers for information. According to the legal man public officers swear an oath of secrecy in relation to giving out information on official matters and it was therefore wrong for the editor to assist them break this oath by paying moneys to them for information. But Kofi Coomson dismissed the argument of the lawyer, saying that it was the responsibility of people who take oaths to keep them, but as a reporter he would go to any length to procure information that will serve the national interest and expose malpractice in the public sector.
Like his colleague lawyer who came after him, Dr. Adjei Marfo's counsel did not also deny ownership of the various abuses that Nana Coomson attributed to his client, but only insisted that the editor had not given evidence to substantiate his claims and did not get Adjei Marfo's version of it.. To this Kofi Coomson said everybody has a constitutional right to a rejoinder whenever there was a false publication against the one. He also said efforts have always been made to get the accused officers for their version, but "it's simply impossible to get through to these people."