Power Minister ‘should have been fired long time ago’
The Minister of Power, Dr Kwabena Donkor, should not be given the chance to voluntarily resign but should be fired, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom has suggested.
The two-time presidential candidate said if he were President John Dramani Mahama, Dr Donkor should have been fired long time ago.
“We shouldn’t wait for him to resign. He should have been fired long time ago,” Dr Nduom stated on TV3’s New Day on Wednesday, December 23.
The business magnate acknowledged the expertise of the Minister as regards energy and power issues but was concerned his utterances on assumption of duty gave him away.
“Kwabena Donkor is not an ordinary person. He knows energy [and] power. Why will he be rushing to say that Dumsor will be a thing of the past?”
The Power Minister is under pressure over his threat to resign by the end of 2015 if the power crisis is not solved.
But he has since given indication that the crisis cannot be completely solved by close of 2015.
The Founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) believes the president has given Dr Donkor too much time to be at post over his undertaking.
Source: tv3network.com|Ghana
There’s been no loadshedding the past 3 days – Power Minister
Minister of Power Dr Kwabena Donkor has maintained that his undertaking to end the nationwide loadshedding by year end still holds.
He, however, pointed out that routine outages as a result of overload or repairs to power transformers may result in what Ghanaians have come to know as dumsor.
Therefore, he adds, that he has struggled for the past weeks to explain to Ghanaians the difference between loadshedding, which he promised to end, and dumsor.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM on Boxing Day, Dr Donkor, who is also Member of Parliament for Pru East Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, cited that evidence to fully fulfill his undertaking is clear in the fact that for the past three days, there has not been loadshedding anywhere in the country.
He said outages experienced in any part of the country within that period may be due to a reason other than loadshedding.
Ghanaians are awaiting the next move of the Power Minister as his self-imposed deadline to end loadshedding nears.
At a meeting with Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee over the week, Dr Donkor clarified that his deadline is “give or take” two weeks – from January 1.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana
Twitter: @kwame_amoh
Appiah open to Ghana return
Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says he is open to the idea of working in Ghana again after spending two years in Sudan.
Appiah insist he is thoroughly enjoying his spell as Al Khartoum coach as he looks to build a side that will break the Al Hilal, Al Merreikh duopoly in the league.
But he is also aware coaching evolves and keeping his options open. He said :”you never know, in our line of work there is nothing like I will not do this again.
It’s always important to make yourself open and allow God to lead you and as to whether you will coach here or there depends on the day, the people around and whether you are prepared to work with them at any particular time.
It also depends on the available package. There are so many factors that will influence the call you make in that regard.”
Working with the Black Stars exposed Appiah to an income level that no Ghanaian side is capable of marching but Appiah admits Sudan has been good in financial terms
“Personally I will say it’s much better than here, for me where I am is even better than when I was with the Black Stars.”
By Benoni Teye
Aston Villa getting better – Ayew
The Ghana international has talked up his club’s chances as they chase a first victory in 14 games against the Hammers on Saturday
Aston Villa striker Jordan Ayew is looking forward to propel his side to victory as they host West Ham in the English Premier League on Boxing Day, claiming that the club have been on an improvement curve.
The Claret and Blue Army boast of one victory in their past 13 games in all competitions, and currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League log with seven points.
“I think we’re getting better and better,” Ayew told AV TV. “We are aiming for three points in the next game now. Then we will start again in the next match.
“I think we’ve been working hard all season – showing that fighting spirit – but the luck hasn’t been on our side.
“Now, things are changing bit by bit. We have to keep on this direction and hopefully, this coming weekend will be a very nice present for our supporters and the club.
“It’s West Ham now and we will keep on fighting and look to win the game. We all want to have a very good evening.”
Ayew again spoke on his stunning curling effort that earned Villa a point in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on Saturday.
He said: “I try that in training – looking to bend the ball from that angle.
“Thankfully this time, I did it well and got a bit of luck and the ball found the net.
“It was a very important goal for the club, the supporters and the confidence of the team.”
Ayew has four league goals to his name since joining Villa in the summer from French club Lorient.
Source: Goal.com
Ayittey Powers begs for TB Joshua’s forgiveness after 2nd defeat to Bukom Banku
Michael Okine popularly known as Ayittey Powers suffered a second defeat in the hands of Braimah Issah Kamoko also known as Bukom Banku in a bout at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Boxing Day.
Dubbed “Repeat or revenge”, the bout was a follow-up to the unanimous points’ victory of Bukom Banku last year.
The holder of the bragging rights repeated his feat but this time securing a technical knockout over Powers, who is a member of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
After his defeat on Saturday, Ayittey Powers asked for forgiveness from head pastor of SCOAN, TB Joshua.
According to the Ghanaian boxer, he had been warned against the fight by the Nigerian preacher.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM on Sunday, the cruiserweight boxer said he had dislocated a shoulder bone, much to his surprise, during the fight.
“I don’t understand how it happened,” he said.
He, however, expressed thanks to TB Joshua for his support and advice.
Ayittey Powers’ first bout with archrival Bukom Banku had to be postponed last year after he said his spiritual father, TB Joshua, had advised him against fighting on the first agreed date.
Banku walks away with an SUV Range Rover, a holiday trip to South Africa as well as GH¢100,000 as his winning prize.
Source: tv3network.com|Ghana
Hasaacas Ladies win Women’s League again
Hasaacas as Ladies have won the National Women’s League for a historic third time after beating Ampem Darkoa by a lone goal in the Championship play-off played on Sunday.
Hasaacas Ladies who emerged once again as Champions of the Southern Zone were handed a tough challenge by Ampem Darkoa Ladies who won the Northern Zone.
Black Queens forward Samira Suleiman scored for the Western based side in the the 66th minute to see them retain their title.
Hasaacas Ladies won the last two editions of the national women’s league.
Source: Ghanafa.org
Kotoko announce Serbian opponents for 80th anniversary match
Former Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko will play Serbian Super Liga side Fudbalski Klub Jagodina in their 80th anniversary game scheduled for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, January 3.
The Porcupine Warriors were originally billed to play Romanian side, Petrolul FC, but later changed to Greek side Veria FC.
That change could also not hold due to a last minute hitch, according to the organizers.
“We’ve suffered some setbacks in trying to get this match played and the last one had to do with changing the opponent because of a last minute hitch,” Chief Executive of Pacific Football Ghana Eric Oppong-Yeboah is quoted by the club’s portal as saying.
“We contacted our agents in Serbia and we had Jagodina ready to come down.”
Kotoko was established in 1935 and the match is expected to crown the club’s anniversary celebrations.
Source: tv3network.com|Ghana
Kufuor heads NPP’s National Campaign Advisory Council
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has been named the Chairman of the National Campaign Advisory Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the 2016 elections.
A statement issued by the party on Sunday, December 20 said membership of the Council will “be announced shortly”.
This comes on the back of the announcement of NPP’s campaign structure.
Presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will chair the paramount campaign body, the National Campaign Coordinating Committee.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will assist him as the Vice Chairman.
Among members of the Committee are the party’s Acting National Chairman, leader of its Members of Parliament and its 10 regional chairmen.
Others are NPP’s Director of Elections, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, and Director of Communications Nana Akomea.
The rest are members of the campaign team comprising , among others, Peter Mac Manu, Dan Botwe, Boakye Agyarko, John Boadu and Ken Ofori-Atta.
“A Taskforce for Special Operations will be made up of Stephen Ntim, Dr. Gyiele Nurah and Stephen Yakubu,” the statement added.
The National Campaign Coordinating Committee is expected to compose regional and constituency campaign teams, which will oversee campaign at the grassroots level.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana
Twitter: @kwame_amoh
Afoko wishes Ghanaians, NPP well at Xmas
The suspended National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Paul Awentami Afoko, has wished members of the NPP and Ghanaians in general a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance and prayed for God’s blessings for everyone.
He has also called on Ghanaians, especially the entire membership of the NPP, not to lose hope.
In line with this, he urged members of the party and Ghanaians to use the Yuletide to do a self-introspection with the view to reforming ‘’our conduct for the good of the party and country.”
In a Christmas and New Year goodwill statement, Mr Afoko expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians, especially NPP members, who had had to endure pain and disappointment at what was happening within the NPP.
He said the last few months of the year had seen the NPP in very difficult times but “genuine peace and unity will be the result of justice and respect for the NPP Constitution”.
‘’Nevertheless, now that Christmas is with us once again, I wish to entreat members of our party to endeavour always to cherish democratic principles of rule of law, respect for each other’s opinion, love, unity, truthfulness and the abhorrence of corrupt practices, which the party prides itself on ,’’ he said.
Sadly, Mr Afoko noted, in the last five months or so, these beautiful principles which have held the party together and attracted many to its fold had not been adhered to but had been replaced by the unattractive principles of nepotism, intimidation, intra-party culture of silence, encouragement of corrupt practices and egregious breaches of the party’s constitution, which has left genuine party members in despair.
He said dissenting and opposing views of issues within a political party did not necessarily mean that persons with such opinions lacked loyalty to their party. “This new behaviour of our party does not resonate with our party members and is also driving potential members and sympathisers away,” he added.
“The great Dr K. A. Busia of blessed memory reminded us that, ‘The real test of a democracy is not just the right of a minority to disagree, but the right of an individual to disagree with the majority and still feel secure,’ ” he stated.
Mr Afoko gave an assurance that the root of these injustices and other negative practices within the party were being tackled at the appropriate forum and said it was his expectation that the law courts would help restore sanity to the manner in which the NPP conducts its affairs.
Source Graphic
NPP organizes nationwide thanksgiving services
The New Patriotic Party’s National Steering Committee has directed all regional and constituency executives to hold thanksgiving services between Friday, December 25 and Sunday, December 27.
A statement issued by Acting General Seretary John Boadu said the services should be held at a mosque and a church within the respective localities.
As a result of the directive, the party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adoo, and his consistent running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, were at the Central Mosque in Accra on Friday to join the Chief Imam for Muslim prayers.
“The Christian thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Resurrection Power Ministry, Kasoa, at 9am,” the statement announced.
The nationwide thanksgiving services crown an eventful year for the party after it witnessed a couple of deaths and suspensions as a result of internal wrangling.
Source: tv3network.com|Ghana