TOTOBI RUNS INTO TROUBLE As NDC factions fight over presidential candidate
	Mr. Kofi Totobi Quarkyi, Minister for National Security, has already become a casualty of the attempt by Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to become her husband’s replacement as President, the Weekly Insight reports. Sources close to the center of power say that Mr. Quarkyi could very easily lose his job on account of the belief that he is working for Vice-President Atta Mills. The real problem with Mr. Quarkyi is that he does not appear to enjoy the support and confidence of any of the emerging factions in the National Democratic Congress (NDC). While Konadu supporters swear that the security boss is working against them, some anti-Konadu forces are also fully convinced that Mr. Quarkyi has pitched his tent in the camp of the First Lady. The first indication that Mr. Quarkyi was running into trouble came in mid-1996, when sources close to the President alleged that the then Minister for Information was involved in what was said to be the founding of a “Fante Confederation”. The confederation was believed to be prim concerned with enhancing the power of Fantes in Government. Mr. Quarkyi did not make any public comments on the allegation in spite of the fact that it came to his attention. His later appointment as Minister or National Security appeared to have shown that the authorities did not find any merit in the allegation. Recently, the rumour mil was awash with the story that Mr. Quarkyi was in the corner of Vice President Mills, and was ready to publicly oppose Nana Konadu’s candidature. Three weeks ago, supporters of Mr. Goozie Tanoh, who is also believed to be opposed to the Konadu-or-president campaign, publicly alleged that Mr. Quaarkyi is working or the First Lady. In letters to the editors of some independent newspapers, Goozie’s supporters claimed that Mr. Quarkyi had at a meeting of the National Security Council referred to Mr. Tanoh as a security risk on account of his suspected presidential ambition. This claim has already been vehemently denied by Mr. Quarkyi in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.
	Chief Executive of Tema Oil Refinery removed
	AFTER MONTHS of dithering, Cabinet has finally approved the removal of Mr. W. S. Parker as Chief Executive of the Tema Oil Refinery. Briefing the press on two Cabinet meetings on March 19 and April 9, at the Castle, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Communications said: “Cabinet has instructed that individuals whose actions or omissions contributed to the incident should be identified and sanctioned appropriately.” Mr. Spio-Garbrah said Cabinet also recommended that “remedial steps should also be taken to redress all the short-comings and operational lapses identified in the committee’s report to forestall a recurrence of such incidents, especially priority attention should be paid to replace the old pipeline which conveys sea water from the Port to the refinery for cooling purposes At the same briefing, Mr. Fred Ohene Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy confirmed that Mr. W. S. Parker and his Deputy, both of whom had exceeded their retiring age, would be leaving, but put no time limit on their departure. The Septuagenarian Chief Executive’s removal was recommended by the five-man Committee of Enquiry into the explosion that crippled the nation’s refinery last year. In its report submitted to Mr. Ohene Kena, last September, the committee found that the immediate cause of the explosion was the result of an operational lapse on the part of the plant personnel not adhering strictly to safety procedure. A number of other factors contributed to the fire outbreak, “the most outstanding being the delay on the part of TOR Management to fulfil its part of the contract, namely the provision of the programmed test run of an adequate, stable and uninterrupted supply of electric power, utilities, crude oil and other inputs. Mr. Parker’s management style also took a battering. “Regarding the Chief Executive,” the Committee found after several interviews with staff, “his administration has not been very helpful to the smooth running of the refinery. Morale is very low and initiative has been seriously undermined.” Detailing his management style that was found to be inimical to the smooth operation of the refinery, the committee said: “It cameto light that the Chief Executive has adopted a non-operative attitude towards some of the management staff bringing division and lack of proper team work.” Damage caused to the equipment was estimated at $10m. Conservative estimates put refurbishment of the refinery at $20m. Up till the time of filing the report, Ghana was forced to import refined oil at international rate.” The Cabinet, according to the briefing papers, deplored the attitude of the firemen on duty who abandoned posts during the explosion and directed that training of firemen be intensified and that only tested and dedicated personnel be posted to sensitive installations such as TOR. The Cabinet also considered the report of the Committee of Enquiry into the gasoline shortage in December last year and endorsed Ohene Kena’s recommendation that VITOL, the suppliers who failed to supply crude oil to TOR and thus created the shortage be made to pay for all the “consequential additional costs incurred by TOR in bringing in emergency supplies to normalize the situation.” The Cabinet also recommended the establishment of a body to streamline public workers pay disparities following the Price Waterhouse and Associates Report on medium to long-term public sector wage policy. “The body would also be tasked with negotiating with the social partners on the various options proposed in the consultants’ report to ensure the smooth and early implementation of the various aspects of the report.” In the interim, the Cabinet has directed the Minister of Finance to “urgently conclude on-going negotiations with the social partners with a view to arriving at a mutually accepted level of salary increase for workers, pending the final implementation of the proposals.” Cabinet approval the Copenhagen Amendment to the Montreal Protocol by which member countries were to phase out by 1996, Ozone Depleting Substances brought the Minister for the Environment, Science and Technology, Mr J.E. Afful to the microphone. He appealed to newsmen to help in the crusade to protect the ozone layer which is the only protective shield against dreadful diseases including skin cancer. He told the newsmen that there was intense pressure from the European Union to get the ban on certain second hand clothing lifted. There is a letter to this effect on his table but the bald elderly gentleman of the Cabinet has resisted the temptation to sign.
	FIRE BAD NUTS Council of State tells Pres. Rawlings
	The Council of State has called on President Rawlings to sack government appointees whose performance fall below the expectation of the vast majority of Ghanaians. The council’s call stemmed from what it termed “its concern over Environmental Sanitation and the personal involvement of President Rawlings in the cleaning of gutters and sewerage in certain parts of the communities.” The council said since government appointees are expected to be innovative and far-sighted in their respective roles, anything short of that should be taken as indication of their inability to manage such positions and, therefore, they should be replaced. Major-General D.K. Addo (retired), a member of the council who said this on behalf of his colleagues at a meeting with President Rawlings at the Castle, Osu, said appointees should be made to account for their acts of omissions ad inconsistencies. The council, led by its chairman, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumiah, held frank and dispassionate discussions with the President on issues of national importance and interest. The council said, whilst it appreciates President Rawlings’ concern about the filth an stench that has engulfed certain parts of the country, it is strongly convinced that such initiatives to rid the environment of filth must come from appointees responsible for such areas. According to the council members, they perceive that some appointees are reneging on their responsibilities when they see the President assisting the people to clean gutters in certain areas of the country. “We want to see more firing of appointees who cannot deliver the goods and whose actions or inaction have been responsible for such sordid state of affairs”, they stressed.
	German immigration officers detained at Kotoka airport for manhandling Ghanaian deportee.
	Four German immigration officers have been detained at the Kotoka International Airport for maltreating a Ghanaian deportee on board an Aeroflot flight that brought them to Ghana. Thirty-year-old Joseph Gyimah from Ejisu in the Ashanti region was chained, handcuffed and tied to his seat, with a crash helmet on his head, during the three-hour flight from Germany to Moscow enroute to Accra. Gyimah was deported from Germany for illegally staying in that country. He told newsman that he has been living in Germany for the past seven years and was married to a German woman, Manze Renate, with whom he has a four-year-old child. According to him, he came to Ghana with Manze to get married in 1995 and returned that same year. He said sometime in 1996, he was arrested by the police for overstaying his visa and was sent to prison until his deportation. Lt. Woisin Gotz, leader of the escorts, said Gyimah was very aggressive and violent when they tried to put him on board the flight, and they had to resort to the method they used. He said that was the only way to keep Gyimah calm on board, adding that Gyimah was untied later when he calmed down during the flight form Moscow to Accra. A Nigerian, Mr. Micheal Umeadi, who was also on the flight, told newsmen that he was touched by the barbaric way the escorts treated Gyimah and did not alight at Coutonou, his destination, but had to come to Accra to report them. He said it was dehumanising, adding that the whites do not respect blacks. Mr Samuel Ahadzie, Controller of Immigration at the Airport, said they were detaining the escorts until further instructions from the headquarters of the Immigration Service, because the treatment they meted out to Gyimah does not conform to regulations concerning deportees. He said the immigration is also detaining them because some aggrieved passengers and some Ghanaians have threatened to beat them, if they come out of the terminal.
	Sheraton To Replace Ambassador Hotel
	A five-star hotel, Sheraton Ambassador Hotel, is to replace the former Ambassador Hotel which was divested about five years ago. Rex Akin Bolu, Project Coordinator, told the Ghana News Agency the new hotel will cost 44 million U.S. dollars. It will be funded through loans and equity from the African Development Bank (ADB), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and a syndication of local financiers. Bolu said construction work is currently estimated at 27.5 million dollars, with management, design fees, among others, making up the difference. The entire project is expected to be completed in 18 months with Energoproject as the contractor, he said. ADB is providing a loan of 10 million dollars and SSNIT 6.3 million dollars, while the local financial syndication will contribute to 13 million dollars. The local syndication providing equity for the project includes the government, Grace Investments, Ghana Re-Insurance Organisation and Merchant bank. The new hotel will have 220 rooms with a presidential suite and six executive suites. There will be a 400-seat multi-purpose ballroom with the capacity to host a car showroom, three all-day dining facility offering Chinese and Indian cuisines and a swimming pool. There will also be a conference room, business centre, boutiques, a health club, a parking lot for 50 cars and two international tennis courts. Ambassador Hotel is remembered as the first international hotel in Ghana after independence in 1958 and it hosted various state and private functions.
	"Energy Crisis Will Be Over By December"
	Ghana's energy crisis will be over as soon as generators are put in place to resolve the crippling power shortages, the minister of mines and energy has said. By December this year, the crisis will be over, whether rains or no rains, Fred Ohene-Kena told reporters Friday. During the post-cabinet briefing on the energy situation, he told reporters that arrangements were underway for private investors to provide an additional 200 megawatts of power by June. This is to augment supplies from the Aboadze thermal power plant and the Akosombo Dam which is low due to a lack of rainfall. The Aboadze plant is programmed to generate an additional 100 megawatts power by December. However, he said the public had to be ready to pay higher rates for power. No private investor will say he or she loves Ghanaians so much that he or she will spend ten cents to generate power and give it out at two cents, he said. Those who cannot afford the rates should use it wisely. Ghana is attempting to improve its energy sources through its participation in the West African gas pipeline project also involving Benin, Nigeria and Togo. Ohene-Kena said the project was on course following the appointment of an interim board, made up of the four participating countries, to constitute a consortium to undertake feasibility studies on scheme.
	Ghana Airways Gets New Management
	MaThe Board of Directors of Ghana Airways Company Limited has appointed a new management team with Seif Mugheiry, an Omani, as Managing Director and Guido Pittevils from Belgium as the Deputy Managing Director responsible for business affairs. They clinched the jobs after the company's widely publicized selection process, according to Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport, told workers of the airline in Accra. The two men are to be supervised by E.L. Quartey who headed an interim Management Committee for eight months after the airline concluded its contract with Speedwing, a British aviation consultancy group last year. Salia said the appointees will be on probation for a minimum of six months after which their appointments will be confirmed. Salia, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors said he was sad that two Ghanaians short-listed for the final interview failed to meet the required conditions. I'm very nationalistic but there was nothing we could do after our own people failed to excel in our objective and transparent selection process. He warned against apathy and the tendency to undermine authority which have characterized the company. We have been witnesses to the unfavourable reports carried in a section of the media about this company which are fed from within. If we continue to do that we run the risk of destroying completely the reputation of this airline, he added. Ghana Airways has had 28 chief executives out which only two were confirmed in the airline's 40 years of existence.
	"GOVERNMENT TOYING WITH PEOPLE’S LIVES"
	“WE USED TO run a 24-hour period of three shifts with a work-force of 200. Now we are down to 60 and barely run eight hours a day of only one shift. Our factory is collapsing very fast. The tragedy of all these power outages is that we are forced to lay off workers with families. “It is difficult to look at a person in the face and ask him to go home. But the energy crisis is killing off the business and you can’t keep workers on the payroll to loaf about.” Mr. Frank Amankwa, General Manager of a medium-sized industrial concern at the outskirts of the national capital was overcome by emotions as he spoke to The Chronicle about the power cuts that are killing industries and hurting the nation’s economy. “The generators are no answer to the problem. The fuel consumption is too much. Most companies who rushed in to buy generators are having second thought. It is simply too expensive to run. We are fast reaching a stage, when it would be impossible to continue to function as a commercial entity,” Amankwa said “This Government is not serious. It sits idle when the country is being torn apart by the energy crisis. The government is toying with people’s lives...This is about the only Government in the world that delights in punishing its citizens.” Asked to explain his accusation, Amankwa poured out a number of grievances against the Government of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings ranging from poor wages to workers, cost of living reaching the roof, poor education facilities, break-down of hospital facilities and topped it with the five per cent increase in duty on importation of electric generators for residential use. “I am afraid, there is nothing to say for a Government that chooses to punish its citizens,” he added. Recently, the Volta River Authority warned that there was no cheap electricity anywhere and consumers ought to be prepared to pay through their way through for the power that is currently unavailable. In a reaction that amounted to throwing in the towel on the energy crisis, Mr. G.D. Boateng, VRA Director in Charge of Technical Services told Parliamentarians on a study tour of the Akosombo Dam that there was no clear answer to when power supply at Akosombo would be shut down. He was reacting to speculations that the Dam would have to be shut down if the water level did not improve. There were indications recently that the Minister of Mines and Energy was being economical with the truth when he told a local radio station that power supply would be improved from April 1, following an agreement with Cote d’Ivoire. Apparently, the additional 70 megawatts of electricity promised by the Ivorians was for onward transmission to Togo and Benin.
	"Electricity Company is Cheating ", says Dr. Wereko Brobby
	n a related development, Dr. Charles Wereko Brobby, Chairman of the United Ghana Movement (UGM) has taken the Electricity Company of Ghana to the cleaners for sending him a bill of ¢112, 274 for the consumption of electricity last January at his Abelenkpe home. “I write to express my utter disgust and abhorrence with the obviously fraudulent manner in which your organisation .is seeking to effect retrospective application of the tariffs approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission to start from February 1, 1998. “As you can see from the attached bill, the meter was read on February 6, 1998, which means that the consumption for the period being billed must be for January 1998, when the old tariffs were still in force. It is, therefore, clearly illegal for you to apply PURC approved rates and surcharges to the bill. “At best you would only have been entitled to apply the new rates for the first six (6) days of February, that is if you even make the distinction.” Dr. Brobby said he believed the application of the new rates to January was deliberately done to cheat consumers. “My view is buttressed by the fact that you issued public notices which suggested that consumers had actually used more power during the load shedding exercise than the corresponding period of normal supply, a situation which is well nigh impossible technically for most classes of consumers.” The letter accused Electricity Company of cheating consumers at a time they “are having to fork out a lot of additional money to get alternative sources of power for more than half of the time.” The letter called on the company to suspend billing of consumers, “recall all the bills sent out already and prepare fresh bills which are legal and honest. “By a copy of this letter, I am requesting the PURC to ensure that you do the right and legal thing.” Meanwhile, the electricity situation is forcing many to book hotel rooms to pass the night as the heat becomes unbearable in many homes and the fear is that many potential investors might be forced to look to somewhere else.
	Clearing Agent charged with attempted tax evasion
	A clearing agent of Inter Ocean Shipping Company in Tema, Mr. Osei Kyeremanteng today appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra, charged with attempted evasion of custom duty. Kyeremanteng pleaded not guilty, and the tribunal, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Anderson-Yeboah, remanded him until April 29 to enable the prosecution to complete its investigations. Police Inspector Alex Yartey Tawiah told the tribunal that a businessman, Mr Edmund Osei Kofi, imported a BMW car and gave eight million cedis to Kyeremanteng to clear the vehicle from Tema port. The accused made use of the money and prepared fake documents to clear the car, but his attempt failed. The complainant reported the matter to the Police, after several unsuccessful demands for his car or the money from the accused.
	GHANA TO RE-OPEN DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN THE HAGUE
	Ghana is to re-open its diplomatic mission in The Netherlands. This was announced by Mr. Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, when he took his turn at the weekly “Meet The Press” series in Accra. Mr. Gbeho said the decision to re-open the embassy in The Hague was taken recently at cabinet meeting and it will be implemented very soon. This will bring Ghana’s total foreign missions to 41, he announced. In a related development, President Jerry John Rawlings has presented Letters of Accreditation to Nana Yeboaa as legal representative of Ghana to Belgium and the European Union. Nana Yeboaa, known in private life as Mrs. Theresa Owusu swore the oaths of allegiance, secrecy and office. President Rawlings urged her to bring her vast experience in the private sector to bear on her new position. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Victor Gbeho noted that Ghana’s diplomacy is people-centered and urged her to ensure that all her activities satisfy the aspirations of the Ghanaian people. He said Nana Yeboaa was taking office at a special moment when the country is not only moving into the next millennium of opportunities but also at a time when Ghana’s relations with Europe under the Lome IV Convention is being re-defined. Mr. Gbeho said it is important that what Ghana enjoyed under Lome IV should find a place in any new initiative. He said Nana Yeboaa’s achievements would not be measured only by how she negotiates for the country but how she takes care of Ghanaians in Belgium and Holland. The newly accredited envoy expressed her gratitude to the government for the confidence reposed in her. She expressed the hope that her long experience would help her to successfully handle her new appointment. Nana Yeboaa said already there are signs that there might be problems of common approach in the new deal being negotiated to replace Lome IV even at the sub-regional level.
	KNUST SRC PRESIDENT TO VOMIT ¢4.9M
	THE STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has asked its President, Mr. Alex Danquah to refund a total of ¢4,975,000 he withdrew from the UST branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank on February 5, 1998. The decision follows its disapproval of a foreign trip Danquah undertook. Consequently, Danquah has been asked to give an undertaken on when he would repay the money believed to have been used to buy Accra-London-Accra air ticket, lodging, food and travel expenses in and around London. Proceedings of an SRC meeting on March 27, this year, widely circulated on campus indicated that Danquah contravened the SRC constitution by ignoring the procedures before undertaking the trip which had cost the SRC the said amount. A motion upheld by a majority 10- member council said the entire SRC and student body should have been informed and that the mode of funding properly discussed according to Article 16 Section C of the SRC constitution before he undertook the trip. The seven-page minutes of the second emergency SRC meeting which discussed the finances of the SRC said probity and accountability were tenets of good leadership and that the exercise went to prove that the SRC had people of integrity serving on it. The meeting held,, that by cashing a cheque, which was not approved by all signatories and embarking on a trip which was neither known nor approved by the SRC was enough grounds for impeachment of Danquah as President. According sources, Danquah managed to obtain a visa with SRC letterheads without SRC knowledge. Reacting to the SRC demand of probity and accountability, Danquah said the trip he embarked upon was not for his personal gains but in the interest of the general student body. According to him, he had been able to acquire an exchange program between the College of Arts (KNUST) and University of Edinburg among others. He pleaded that as an orphan, it was not a matter of not wanting to pay but that he would not be able to pay to which plea a suggestion to embark on a fund-raising and appeal to university authorities was made. Meanwhile, a group calling itself JAGODA is calling for the blood of Nana Yaa Appiah, the SRC Secretary for allegedly exposing Danquah. In a hand-written letter smeared with blood, the group warned Nana Yaa, simply referred to as “woman” to rest Danquah’s trip else “you will see your blood” because “we would end the rest of your life on campus”. The group indicated that it would not consider raping the SRC Secretary because it was bent on eliminating her. “We are very serious”. They also threatened to meet the woman with concentrated acid and pour just a little over her face and make her “more beautiful”. SRC sources have appealled to the university authorities to ensure protection for SRC executives on campus. In a related development, massive agitation and grumbling have erupted over the JCR (Junior Common Room) accounts of the Mensah Sarbah Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon, after a columnist of the Chronicle, Dr Asebu Amenfi, drew attention to certain items on the account whose cost he described as inflated. In the accounts of the JCR posted on the notice board of the hall, the JCR executive listed the renovation of three notice boards made out of plywood as costing more that ¢1.3 million. This resulted in agitation among some of the students who have since been discussing probing their JCR over the accounts.
	Upper East Region records first rains
	The Upper East Region recorded its first rains this year at the weekend. The rains cooled off the excessive heat that has engulfed the region since January this year. A spokesman for the Meteorological Service Department told that 5.9mm was recorded for the first rains last Saturday.He said this was followed by a heavier one measuring 48.6 on Sunday. The spokesman said rains in the Upper East Region normally set in around April 21 every year and said another rainfall would be recorded before the end of this month. He indicated that from now on people in the region should expect the normal rainfall since this is the beginning of the rainy season.
	APRAKU BRACES UP FOR PRESIDENTIAL RACE
	Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Member of Parliament for Offinso North, has now confirmed that he has his eyes on his party’s presidential nomination. Dr. Apraku, who is also the NPP spokesman on Finance, has in recent times appeared evasive whenever the issue was raised, although credible sources have indicated his burning desire to lead the NPP in the next century. In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Dr. Apraku said although he was still considering running for the post of NPP’s flag-bearer, his cautious approach appears to be his disagreement over the mode of selection of the party’s presidential candidate. According to Dr. Apraku, no one is sure of how the process of electing an NPP presidential candidate for year 2000 would be. “If you do not know how you are going to be selected, how do you declare your candidature?” Dr. Apraku questioned. The issue of selection of an NPP flag-bearer for the 2000 election has already sparked controversy over whether there is a need for a distinction between the party’s leader and the presidential candidate. The issue has already caused a deep wedge between the leadership of the party. A recent meeting of the leadership of the party on the issue resulted in an open confrontation between chairman Peter Ala Adjetey (leader of the NPP), who supports the present arrangement of chairman-leader and Mr. J. A. Kuffour, 1996 flag-bearer, who also supports the flag-bearer-leader arrangement. It is even believed that the often-postponed Congress of the NPP is due to lack of consensus over what the status of an NPP flag-bearer should be. With all these problems yet to be resolved, many aspirants are on the quiet seeking support. Dr. Apraku’s entry into the race therefore brings to five the number of NPP leaders who, The Independent has discovered, have their eyes set on the NPP top slot. Aside Dr. Apraku, Mr. J.A. Kuffour, the 1996 flag-bearer and Nana Akufo-Addo have made their intentions clear. The other two, Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo and Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, although are nursing presidential ambitions, are yet to make their intentions open. At 43, Dr. Apraku is the youngest of the batch who, like his age-mates, has a sound backing from the party’s youth. A product of Tweneboah Secondary School, Dr. Apraku was in the United States of America to further his education and returned to Ghana with the advent of multiparty elections, after a stint with the United Nations. He was among the observers of the South African elections that brought Mr. Nelson Mandela and his Africa National Congress to power. On why he had to shelve his ambitions, Dr. Apraku had to say: “The idea is still there, the desire and the determination are still there, so why shelve them?” The NPP Spokesman for Finance noted that he saw the victory of the Labour Party in Britain as a source of inspiration for his party, which has been out of power for decades. “Perhaps I see a little bit of Tony Blair in me and I take a lot of inspiration from him,” he added.
	The Significance of Clinton's Visit to Ghana
	By Samual Sarpong The ecstasy was beyond description. Ghanaians cleaned their choked gutters and white-washed their buildings. Almost every available tree and pole within the principal streets of Accra was decorated with the national flags as they awaited US president Clinton 's visit on March 23. Even Ghana's president Jerry Rawlings led a team of soldiers to embark on series of clean-up exercises. The Ghanaian expression, "Akwabaa" which means welcome, rang out in the open as effigies of Ghana's President Rawlings and President Clinton decorated the air on the day of Clinton's visit. The day itself was unofficially a holiday as schoolchildren and people of all walks of life lined the streets of Accra to welcome the august visitor. It was quite understandable. The visit, the first by a serving US president was very historic. And for Ghanaians, it was an honour and pride to serve as the first point of call and scene-setting for Clinton's six-nation African tour dubbed, "the most ambitious trip to Africa ever taken by an American president." Other countries he is visiting include Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa and Senegal. The visit to Ghana, which was graced by some 800 US high ranking personnel in diverse fields and some 250 journalists, served to highlight the growing US partnership with a new Africa - a vibrant continent increasingly open to democracy and free markets. Unlike in the past when US-Africa relations were distorted by the prisms of East-West and North-South divisions, the US and Africa today have a rare chance now to establish more mature relationships, characterised by co-operation and dedicated to solving problems. US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright is positive about this. Testifying before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 10 on creating a new US Foreign Policy Framework, she recalled how impressed she was on a visit to Africa in December "by how rapidly Africa is departing from the shop-worn stereotypes, even as it continues to grapple with chronic problems of poverty and strife." The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Susan Rice, believes Clinton's administration has been and remains actively committed to forging closer links with Africa. "We are pursuing a vision of full partnership with the continent that will usher in a new era of growth, stability, peace, and prosperity - benefiting Americans and Africans alike,'' she says. There is more reason for optimism about Africa's future among Americans today than at any time since the wave of independence over 30 years ago, she acknowledges. While conflicts, coups and corruption persist in some quarters, the larger story is that of a wave of change rolling across the African continent. Democracy is ascendant as many African countries undertake significant political reforms. During the last decade, the number of democracies in sub-Saharan Africa has grown fivefold. While the democratisation process has not been as far -reaching as it could be and there have been setbacks, some 25 African states now enjoy a democratic form of government. Economic growth is also increasing as those nations liberalising their economies begin to reap the benefits of free markets and economic reform. Annual GDP growth in Africa last year averaged almost 5 per cent. As Africa's exports have grown, so has its trade with the US. In 1996, US trade with sub-Sahara Africa grew by 18 per cent. And this was the second consecutive year that growth in the US trade with sub-Saharan Africa has outpaced the growth of US global trade. Today, US exports to Africa exceed those to all of the former Soviet Union combined by more than 20 per cent. One hundred thousand US jobs depend on exports to Africa. Yet, the US accounts for only 7 per cent of global exports to the continent. As the huge, mostly untapped African market of 600-700 million people grows, and the American market share increases, thousands of new American jobs would be created. It is in this light that Sandy Berger, national security adviser to President Clinton declared recently that, "progress by African governments on political and economic reforms makes this an auspicious moment for a new US partnership with sub-Saharan African based on trade and investment." The US has keen eyes on South Africa, Botswana, Benin, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda and Mali together with others which she deem as embodying the hope of a new Africa. Despite the conflict and poverty generally reported by the press about Africa, Berger says, Clinton "wants the real, the whole, the total story of Africa to be known and the United States must play the lead role in helping write the next chapter." The focus of the Clinton strategy is to pursue a clear strategy to promote Africa's progress and advance America's interests based on greater engagement with Africa aimed at deepening the roots of civil society, safeguarding the environment, strengthening law enforcement, expanding education improving health care, promoting literacy and promoting human rights. This is structured to accord countries that adopt sound reforms to benefit from doing business with the US and the global economy. Clinton's message in Accra was simple. " I want to listen and to learn. I want to build a future partnership between our two people and I want to introduce the people of the United States through my trip to the new face of Africa." America, he says, has good reason to work with Africa. Americans want to increase trade and investment in Africa. "By opening markets and building businesses and creating jobs, we can help strengthen each other," Clinton stated. To achieve these, Clinton said Americans must leave behind the stereotypes that have warped their view and weakened their understanding of Africa as a place of new beginnings and ancient wisdom. "It is time for Americans to put a new Africa on our map," he says. But for Ghanaians, the visit afforded them the opportunity to exhibit to Clinton their fond memories of him as thousands thronged in, some from the hinterlands, to catch a glimpse of the man who they believe could make the world tumble. Particularly for Africans, the message is loud and clear - Africa matters to America!
	SWEDRU IS BASE OF INTERNET SEX SCANDAL
	Agona Swedru, capital of the Agona District of the Central Region, has been thrown into a state of shock with the disclosure that it has been the base of the Internet Sex scandal in which pornographic pictures of nude Ghanaian girls are displayed on the world-wide internet network. The scandal was exposed by the Joy FM radio, and Accra-based radio station, and given even more publicity in the Graphic Showbiz, a subsidiary of the Daily Graphic. Graphic Showbiz has disclosed that it has obtained a full list of all the Ghanaian girls on the network. Of the total of 77 Ghanaian girls, as many as 54 were from Agona Swedru alone. Last week’s publication sparked off a chain of incidents in which one of the women, who was seven-and-half months pregnant, went into premature labour and gave birth. The woman was named as Mercy Dashie Cudjoe whose photograph appeared under the pseudoname, Ivy Efua Eyison. For Mercy Dashie Cudjoe who stays in the respected Lagbenuku Family House at ‘Odakwanano’ at Swedru who pseudonamed as Ivy Efua Eysison, it was a nasty experience. Mercy, who was seven-and-a-half months pregnant, had to be be rushed to the labour ward as a result of the shock she had at seeing her glaringly in the Showbiz. Family sources have it that she gave birth to a pre-mature baby last last Saturday, April 28. According to the sources, Mercy nearly collapsed when she was informed by a friend that she had seen her picture in the Showbiz among a host of others in the newspaper which portrayed them in the nude. Eyewitnesses said she started shivering and when she finally got a copy of the paper, her condition worsened. She started experiencing labour pains and rushed to the hospital. Some family members of Mercy, who are highly religious and others close to the family said some of her relatives are even shying away from going to town for the disgrace she has brought to the family. Friends and other acquaintances are however said to have shunned her company.In the case of Rachel Simia Salammi, 22, whose picture also appeared in last week’s edition of the paper as Rose Asabea, a pseudonym, was baptised and given her engagement ring at the Agona Swedru Presbyterian Church on Sunday April 12 to a well respected man. Even though Simia, who is well known in the town was to have attended a thanksgiving service of their well attended engagement last Sunday, she could not make it as she is now confined to her room following the publication of her nude picture. When Showbiz investigators got to her house at the weekend, she looked so sad and surprised. According to her, she had a bout of malaria “shortly after I had seen the publication. It was out of the shock. I feel for my four-month-old baby who is equally in poor health and is refusing to eat.” Asked whether her marriage is in jeopardy following this sad development, Simia said her shot was taken on her way from the beach at Winneba and that it is not serious so far as she is concerned. She queried why her picture was not published in full if she was really in nude. Even though Simia mentioned the name of the photographer in the town who took the picture, she categorically denied taking the picture in her nude. Meanwhile, investigations indicate that her marriage is on the line since there are pressures within the family of the husband and friends to abrogate it. “We would not like our brother to engage a girl who has shamelessly exposed her body to the world” a family source said. Last Saturday afternoon, Helena Amankwaa, whose nude picture appeared prominently in last week’s issue of the paper and who showed up at Swedru, bolted in the same taxi she travelled with from Tema, after being booed at by a crowd at the station where she planned alighting. Her real name was given as Nana Ama Boatemaa. The investigations revealed that the business is so lucrative to the extent that the male conspirators have so benefitted immensely that they own posh cars as well as houses all over Agona Swedru especially at pipe Tank, a suburb of Swedru, and live affluent lifestyles. It came to light that the modus operandi of the syndicate is to deceive the ladies into thinking the whole business is to secure for them foreign pen pals which could later develop into marriage. This they execute by first asking them to fill a specially designed form with Harry’s International, P.O. Box 17, Riddels Creek 3431, Victoria, Australia, as the forwarding address. Information on the form indicates that Harry’s International is an Australian and international pen-friends incorporation. It requires prospective members to provide such information as name, address, age, date of birth, nationality, complexion, height, weight, colour of eyes, hair, marital status, hobbies, religion, etc. Having given out the forms to be completed by the unsuspecting patrons, the local operatives request them to attach their best photographs, which completes the first phase of the deal. But that is not all. The brains behind it lure the ladies with sums of money, ranging between ¢50,000 and ¢100,000 to convinve them not only to give out their pictures but also allow the operatives to use theri postal addresses and not that of the ladies. A month or two later, the ladies are again approached by the members of the syndicate with new message that their forms and pictures have been received and accepted by the supposed pen pals who have further expressed their desire to marry them provided their nude pictures are sent. They the inform them of the financial package attached to the new demand which range between $100 and $300. But the truth about this is that it represents a small percentage of the actual amount sent down since available information indicates tht substantial amounts ranging between $1,000 and $4,000 are paid. It was gathered that the syndicate has been in operation for the past four years and it is estimated that about 400 females in the neighbourhood have become victims.
	Lovesick woman poisons herself
	AFTER three unsuccessful relationships with three different men, lovesick Ruth Sandra Ankrah, 29, a Community Health Nurse, decided that life was no more worth living. She committed suicide. Sandra, who is alleged to have drank a poisonous concoction, died a few minutes after she was taken to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. A close friend of Ruth told The Mirror that Sandra, who lived at Odorkor, had a child by a man about 10 years ago and that the man did not marry her. The source said after sometime, Sandra was engaged to another man who left for Europe and for three years the man neither got in touch nor came home to see her. This behavior automatically ended their engagement. According to the source, Sandra, in the course of time, met one Bernard Gharbin, self-employed, and started a serious love affair with him.After sometime, Bernard was said to have informed Sandra that his financee was coming home from Europe and requested for a break in their relationship. Sandra felt cheated since, throughout their relationship, Bernard never mentioned having another woman in his life. Broken hearted, Sandra allegedly threatened that if Bernard ever left her for his so-called fiancée, she would commit suicide. True to her word, on February 8, this year, Sandra who could not bear losing her sweetheart, drank a concoction after her evening meal. According to the source, soon after taking the concoction, she started feeling pains all over her body so she informed her next door neighbor of what she had done. Sandra was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital by some sympathizers but she died some minutes on arrival. Mirror investigations revealed that soon after her death, Sandra’s mother, a Community Health Midwife, discovered two letters said to have been written by Sandra in her room. In one of the letters, Sandra was said to have profusely thanked her parents for taking good care and showering concern for her welfare. In the other letter, Sandra alleged that Bernard owes her ø1 million and directed that the money should be claimed and used for her funeral. The letter was also said to have stated that if Bernard failed to pay the money she would disturb him throughout his life. The source quoted part of the letter as saying that she was not a prostitute and could therefore not be taken for granted. Sandra has since been buried. Police investigations continue.
	“this can’t make a baby”
	The young man being questioned about his girlfriend’s four-month-old pregnancy must have found the situation too difficult to explain away. He decided to have it all. In the full glare of his parents and those of his girlfriend’s, Bismark, 22, unzipped his trousers and pulled out his penis and shouted in indignation “wei ntumi nwa ba”, meaning “this can’t make a baby”, suggesting that his manhood is incapable of bearing children. Bismark did not stop there. He kicked Serwaa Arko, 20, the girlfriend in the belly and walked away from the arbitration from the arbitration hall. He is being sought by the Tema Community 2 police. Disclosing this to the media at Community 2, Serwah who claimed she had been friends with Bismark for almost a year, said she became pregnant in December last year. She said she kept the pregnancy a secret from Bismark till February after efforts by her to abort it failed. According to Serwaa, Bismark denied responsibility immediately she mentioned the pregnancy to him. Bismark claimed he had been examined and declared infertile by a medical officer and went further to say he has an identity card at the Tema branch office of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana attesting to his claim. Serwaa said Bismark accused her of infedility adding that she had been betrayed by the pregnancy. Not knowing what to do, Serwaa said she broke the news to her parents late last month. Then on April 4, her parents met Bismark’s parents to straighten matters. It was there that the unexpected happened when Bismark, being pressed to accept responsibility, unzipped his pants and brought out his genital organ in his palm and declared that he was incapable of bearing children. With everyone sitting still, obviously shocked by Bismark’s behavior, he rushed on her, kicked her in the belly and took off and has since not been seen. Serwaa claimed she was sent to the Tema General Hospital where she was treated and discharged and a report made to the police.
	Baby dies as father refuses blood transfusion
	HOW ironical! At a time Christians were celebrating their salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, an innocent child had to lose her life because her Christian father had refused her blood transfusion. Mr. Kwakye, the father of the child prevented doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from giving the newly-born anaemic girl, the badly-needed blood transfusion because of his religious beliefs. He claimed he intended to join the Jehovah’s Witness sect and was said to have declared that if it is blood the child needs, it is better for her to die “for God gives and takes away.” The child died and has since been buried The child, which had been born a few hours earlier at a private maternity home was seriously anaemic and needed the blood to survive. Confirming the story as told by hospital sources, a family member who was at the scene said after Kwakye’s wife, Linda, delivered at the maternity home in Accra, it was realized that the baby was anaemic and needed blood transfusion to survive. Linda was therefore advised to send the child to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. At the hospital, the child was immediately put on oxygen as the doctor and nurses on duty desperately tried to persuade Kwakye, who had then got to the hospital, to save the child’s life by allowing the transfusion. According to the source, Kwakye vehemently challenged the doctors and nurses emphasizing that his beliefs would never allow him to agree to the transfusion because it was evil. To exonerate themselves from blame, the hospital staff asked Kwakye to put his refusal into writing which he readily did. The source claimed that all this while, Linda who was in a trauma and confused said nothing but kept on weeping while Kwakye kept assuring her that they would soon have another child. The Mirror investigations at the hospital revealed that in recent times many couples who turned up with similar problems refused transfusion for their children citing their religious background or doctrines as their excuse. A source cited a case in which a man refused transfusion for his child who had been bitten by a snake and was on the verge of dying. The doctors refused to listen to his explanations and gave the child the transfusion and he survived. The man was said to have refused to replace the blood claiming that he did not ask the doctors to give the child the blood.
	WATCH YOUR BACK, ALHAJI ACCUSED OF SEDUCING BOY
	EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Eric Owusu’s dream of sharing a nice company with his new found friend, Alhaji Sumaila, allegedly turned into a nightmare when he woke up in the middle of the night to find the Alhaji seducing him. Owusu is said to have been so shocked with the incident that he has sworn going back to Obuasi where he came from a few weeks ago. A source at the Kaneshie Police station disclosed that Owusu, who lives at Obuasi, arrived in Accra on February 27, this year, to stay and work with his brother at Abossey Okai. According to the source, in the morning of March 1, this year, Owusu, who had then struck an acquaintance with the Alhaji, accepted and invitation to watch television in the Alhaji’s house at Abossey Okai. The source said, when Owusu got to the house, the Alhaji inquired if he had had his bath to which Owusu answered in the negative. Owusu was then offered water to have his bath after which he relaxed to watch a program on the television. After sometime when the Alhaji noticed that Owusu was feeling sleepy, the Alhaji asked him to sleep on a bed in the living room adding that Owusu could take off his clothes. The source said Owusu, who did not suspect any foul play, obliged and dozed of. He said around midnight, Owusu was allegedly awakened with a start when he felt a warm moving object being thrust into his rectum. Owusu was then said to have turned around to find the Alhaji bending over him and as he tried to shout, the Alhaji allegedly covered his mouth and pinned him to the bed and managed to insert his penis which had been smeared with pomade into his anus. He said after the act, Owusu excused himself to go to urinate and managed to escape from the Alhaji’s house naked. He made a report to the Kaneshie police the following day and the Alhaji was arrested. The source claimed that the Alhaji confirmed the act. He will be arraigned before court soon.
	CLUBBED TO DEATH by jealous boyfriend
	A 24-year-old farmer at Opersika, near Obawale in the Eastern Region who could not stand his girlfriend switching for another man, allegedly clubbed her to death at dawn on March 22, this year. Kwabena Owusu was quoted as saying his lover, Mary Dede Donkor, provoked him to take that action. Kwabena has appeared before a Koforidua circuit tribunal presided over by Mr. Senyo Dzamefe, on provisional charge of murder. His plea was not taken. Kwabena told the tribunal that he personally bought a margarine tin of rice and a tin of sardine for Dede to prepare their evening meal but she decided to give the food to his rival and followed up to spend the night with him. According to Kwabena, when he went to Dede’s house at 9 pm and met her two children fast asleep with no trace of her, he sensed some tricks. Kwabena said he decided to lay ambush for Dede and at 3 am she appeared with his rival’s hand around her neck with Dede walking provocatively. When he enquired about the food, Dede allegedly retorted “if you were not a fool you would not have given me money to prepare food for your rival”. Kwabena claimed that Dede’s family are aware of their relationship and even at one time he provided 300 yam mounds on the farm of Dede’s mother. Prosecuting, Chief Inpspector Evelyn Addo said Kwabena had been Dede’s boyfriend for the past two years. She said two months ago, Kwabena realized that Dede was flirting with another man called Apertey, but when he confronted her, she denied the relationship. Chief Inspector Addo said on March 21, this year, the deceased went to Kwabena to demand 17 thousand cedis to sew her cloth but Kwabena could only give her three thousand cedis. According to the prosecution, it was here that the accused bought a tin of sardine and a margarine tin of rice for Dede to prepare the evening meal. When he waited on end for the meals, Kwabena followed up to Dede’s house around 9pm but she was nowhere to be found. Her two children were fast asleep. Around 9.30pm, Kwabena became suspicious and decided to lay ambush and while in his hideout at 3 am, he saw Dede and Apertey coming towards her house. The prosecution said immediately, Kwabena rushed out of his hideout, held Dede and demanded his money. Apertey sneaked out of the scene. Chief Inspector Addo said a struggle ensued and Dede bit Kwabena’s finger and neck. Kwabena replied with a blow which sent Dede reeling to the ground. He picked a stick and hit Dede on the forehead and blood started oozing out. The prosecution said Dede then cried for help and her uncle, John Addo Odonkor whose house was near the scene, went to her rescue but Kwabena, on seeing him bolted. When Odonkor got to the spot he realized Dede was dead. He reported the case to the Dadomantse of the village who advised him to report to the police. Kwabena makes further appearance at the tribunal on May 14
	Coach Rinus Israel leaves Ghana for good
	After a year of turbulent tenure with the senior national team, the Black Stars, Coach Rinus Israel has thrown in the towel, saying he no longer wants to continue with the job. The last in the series of setbacks that pushed Israel this far to the wall is last week’s trip to Iran which was abrogated at the final minute with the official reason that Ghana was unableto raise a team for the trip. The trip to Iran was to have Ghana compete against Iran, Hungary and Jamaica, two of the 32 nations to play at next June’s World Cup finals in France, in a four-nation friendly tournament. About nine foreign-based professionals invited to form the core of the team were unable to do so due to club commitments. On the local front, Israel lost the bid to Hearts for the use fo four of the club’s players and those brought in to take their places attracted harsh criticisms. The trip was thus called off on the night the make-shit team was to emplane for Iran. Two days after the cancellation of the trip, Rinus Israel informed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) he would not be available for further engagement with Ghana. The coach then suggested to the F.A. that since ther is no pending program for the national team between now and June when his contract expires he should be allowed to take a holiday in Holland from now. He has already taken two holidays this year. The GFA however has other ideas and is proposing that for the man to earn his salary till the end fo his contract, he must begin preparing a local base for the Black Stars for whoever would take over from him. On Thursday, April 23 this year, Israel will make his position clear to the GFA that his virtually expired relationship with the Black Stars cannot be re-negotiated and wants this to be made public. But whether he will go now or will accept the GFA’s proposal to invite 24 players to camp and work on them till June, will be decided on Thursday when Israel meets the F.A board. Meanwhile, the FA has started negotiations with what an official described as stakeholders in Ghana football to find a replacement for the out-going Dutch coach.
	KOTOKO HOLD HEARTS
	Champion Club Accra Hearts o oak and perennial rivals, Asante Kotoko, stretched each other to a 1-1 standstill in Accra and in the end, established the truth that a confrontation between Ghana’s two most famous club sides cannot be without drama. In this ABC Brewery premier league showdown between two teams whose rivalry has become an entrenched part o Ghanaian football heritage, the two goals which rolled the game to its dead end were scored five minutes into each half and from the same spot of the field: the first by Kotoko’s Emmanuel Yartey and the second by Hearts’ substitute Joe Ansah. Moments leading to kick off froze the stadium under considerable tension and silence s officials and players of the two sides engaged in a psychological battle. It dragged for so long, the game kicked off with 10 players on each side, Jacob Nettey and Lawrence Amankwah joining later. A terrific kick off it was and that early, Kotoko’s superior physical disposition became evident. But over exploitation of that earned skipper Kalilu Dramani the first yellow card within 30 seconds and in the 20th minute, earned the red card for a second dangerous play. With the fleet-footed trio of star player Emmanuel Yartey, George Siaw and Emmanuel Baidoo in remarkable shape, Kotoko operated in midfield with a force stronger than anything Hearts had anticipated. Though Yartey’s goal rifled from the right side of the box provoked appropriate reaction from Hearts, Kalilu (until the 20th minute) and his leagues in defence, Emmanuel Ampiah, Samuel Bakai and Victor Aidoo, played with enough power to strip Hearts Yaw Sakyi, Joseph Fameyeh and Desmond Amoah of all danger. Their numerical disadvantage from then not withstanding, Kotoko reached into their reserves to keep the Hearts area boiling again. The goal drama was to be recaptured that early in second half, this time advantage Hearts, substitute Joe Ansah volleying over goalkeeper Michael Abu.
	OKWAWU WIN
	Okwawu United, spearheaded by experienced Opoku Sampene, beat visiting Real Tamale United 2-1 in their ABC Brewery league match played at the Nkawkaw Park. Okwawu piled pressure and their efforts were rewarded in the 60th minute when Sampene gave a calculated pass to on-rushing Nii Larbi Darko to score. Okwawu brought in Jalilu Ibrahim for Nii Larbi Darko in the 70th minute while RTU substituted Agyeman Prempeh for Matthew Attitogbe, but the changes benefited RTU who levelled up when Richard Obeng’s free-kick in 83rd minute beat all the defenders before rolling through the hands of Okwawu’s goal-keeper Mauzu Nkono. Okwawu managed to carry the day in the 84th minute when substitute Jalilu Ibrahim heated home beautifully from a free-kick taken by Fiifi Hansen.
	HASAACAS THRASH WISE 3-0
	Sekondi Hasaacas dismissed the bluff of arch-rivals, Sekondi Eleven Wise with a 3-0 victory in their local derby of the ABC Premier league played t the Gyandu Park. Playing before one of the largest crowds over seen in recent times at the Gyandu Park, Hasmal got the opener in the 10th minute through centre-forward Issa Mohammed who capitalised on a defensive blunder to place the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Emmanuel Armah. With their vociferous supporters urging then on for the equalizer, Wise nearly made amends in the 30th minute but Hasmal’s goalie George Owoo, set the Stadium ablaze with a dramatic save that had the fans applauding. Three minutes later, Hasaacas made it two through Ibrahim Babaginda whose header from Kofi Abbrey’s cross beat the goalie to end the first half 2-0. Back from recess, Wise matched Hasaacas boot for boot. However, it was Hasmal who made it three just on the stroke of full-time through substitute Michael Asante amid wild jubilation by Hasaacas fans.
	The Iranian Trip that never was...FIFA TO SANCTION GHANA
	Of the many tags hanging around the neck of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) - from the estwhile Nana Butler administration to the present one headed by Alhaji Jawula - those bearing the inscription “inconsistency” and “ad-hocism” have been the most outstanding. Over tghe years, the GFA has always gotten away with their modus operandi which has had a trickle down effect on the performance of the Black Stars as they have maintained a thick skin to several criticisms they have suffered from the local media. However, it has taken no less a body than the sport’s world governing body, FIFA, to remind them that for as long as they remain affiliated to it, they must endeavour to do the right thing by obeying rules and regulations and also respecting agreements. The GFA already under fire for the unprofessional manner in which they handled the Black Stars’ trip to Iran, has this time incurred the displeasure of FIFA. Having realised that the GFA was unbending in its eleventh hour decision to pull out of the tournament, the Iranians sought the intervention of the world body to save the competion from FIFA, having sanctioned the tourney to which Ghana had already committed itself since November last year. Last Friday, April 17, the FIFA sent a strong-worded letter to the GFA warning it of the recriminations of its action. The faxed message stated inter alia, “Get ready for the consequences of your late withdrawal from the four-nation tournament in Iran. You are going to be sanctioned, both punitive and monetary.” Surprisingly enough, the fax was addressed to the GFA vice-Chairman, Joseph Ade-Coker, instead of the General-Secretary as is normally the case.
	Ghana's Black Queens Batter Guinea 11-0
	Ghana's women's soccer team, the Black Queens massacred their Guinean counterparts 11-0 in a World Cup qualifier played at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday March 29. The Queens scored 7 goals in the first half and four after the break. In addition to this heavy defeat, the Guineans, who arrived early Sunday morning for the match, will pay a fine of 2,000 U.S. dollars imposed by the African Football Confederation (CAF) for late arrival. The Guineans were expected in the country last Wednesday but decided to stay in neighbouring Togo until Sunday morning without the consent of CAF, in contravention of CAF regulations. The Queens opened the floodgates of the one-sided match in the fourth minute through striker Nana Ama Gyamfua, who finished off a long throw by right full back Olivia Donkor. Inside-left Vivian Mensah increased the tally to two in the 17th minute and in the 22nd minute Gyamfua scored her personal second and the third goal for the Queens. Vivian and Gyamfua made it 4-0 and 5-0 in the 24th and 35th minutes respectively while left-winger Adjoa Bayo added the sixth before Vivian scored the seventh for the Queens to take an impressive 7-0 half-time lead. The Queens came back to continue their dominance. It was not until the 61st minute that the Queen' goalkeeper Abiba Memunatu Sullemana who wasvirtually on a holiday handled the ball. Veteran Alberta Sackey came on to replace three-goal getter Vivian in the 70th minute and announced her presence with the eighth goal for the Queens three minutes later. Inside right Stella Quartey, substitute Alberta and striker Gyamfua scored in turns in the 78th, 80th and 90th minutes to complete the rout. The second leg will be played in Conakry in two weeks.
	AYEW SCORES AGAIN
	It is almost becoming a ritual these days to hear Ghanaian international, Kwame Ayew, registering his name on the score sheet of his club, Boavista, in the Portuguese league week after week. The dreadlocked striker last week requested that his name be omitted from the Black Stars squad invited for the abortive trip to Iran in order to concentrate on his club committments, as the Portuguese championship has reached the homestretch. Last Saturday, the swift striker exonerated himself as he led Boavista to a 2-0 victory over Varzim. Ayew put his side ahead with a 20th minute goal before team-mate Ion Timofte added the second 65 minutes later. Ayew’s goal took him to joint-second in the race for the topscorer award with 13 goals, sharing the honours with Benefica’s Nuno Gomes. F.C. Porto’s Brazilian striker, Mario Jardel, is the runaway leader with a 19 goals. While Ayew remains the country’s flag-bearer in Europe, Germany-based Osei Kuffour also attempted to share in the glory with his Black Stars team-mate by scoring a goal last Saturday, but ended on the wrong side of the game. Kuffour, who has had a wonderful season with Bayern Munich, almost caused the German champions a painful defeat when he scored an own goal to give struggling Armenia Bielefield a 4-3 lead in their Bundesliga game, with four minutes to go. However, veteran Lothar Matthaus saved the Bavarians from defeat with a 87th minute strike which settled the match at 4-4.