PROBE STARS DEFEAT - KUMASI FANS

Culled from The Graphic

February 2, 2000

From Thomas Asante Mensah, Kumasi

Sports enthusiasts in the Kumasi Metropolis have called on the authorities to conduct in-depth investigations into the Black Stars performance against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in which they (Stars) lost 0-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ever since the match, callers have been invading the Graphic office demading a probe into the Stars performance. The callers expressed the view that the Stars appeared to have been hypnotised in the said match as they allowed the Elephants to seize the game and have greater part of exchanges.

They want the probe to find out why Coach Dossena refused to maintain the winning team which beat Togo 2-0 and effected some changes which saw Yaw Preko starting from the bench.

They anticipated that if this is how they will meet South Africa in Kumasi on Sunday then they must prepare for real humiliation. The sports fans also said that if the boys lack motivation and other logistics at camp to boost their morale the concerned authorities must do well to provide them The fans said the Stars have the support of the people and the media and wondered why they put up such a dismal performance in the match.

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STUDENTS CONDEMN RAWLINGS

Culled from TheIndependent
February 2, 2000

By Isaiah Asante-Hatford Jnr.

The Kumasi Campus of the University College of Education was the scene of a massive demonstration last Wednesday as students went on the warpath demanding equal placement opportunities and an abolition of the new grading system.

Bearing placards with messages like SATAN KILL J.J. FOR US, GOVT. - STOP DECEIVING THE PUBLIC, students said the Rawlings government is the most devilish, corrupt and obnoxious Ghana has ever produced since independence from Britain in 1957.

The demonstration lasting about six hours, spilled over from the Tanoso Campus to the main Kumasi - Sunyani high way, thus distrupting traffic and causing a lot of discomfort for travellers. The police were however able to control the students who were singing war songs, drumming and dancing.

Police sources say nobody was hurt during the demonstration although there are rumours in town that an unspecified number of students were hurt.

The students have vowed to organise another demonstration soon if the hated grading system is not discarded by the college authorities.

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HOME FROM HOME IN KUMASI

Culled from The BBC
January 30, 2000

By Mohammed Allie in Kumasi

In many ways Kumasi, Ghana's second biggest city after the capital Accra, reminds the visitor of Durban on the east coast of South Africa - especially the lush green tropical vegetation, not to mention the heat and humidity.

Kumasi is the base for Group B which comprises Algeria, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa at the 22nd African Cup of Nations Finals.

The South Africans seem to have settled in well in an hospitable city. As soon as you mention you're from South Africa the immediate response is: "Bafana Bafana!"

The South Africans have proved popular with the locals - particuarly out-going defender Mark Fish.

Even the training sessions have been well attended - many teams in South Africa's Premier Soccer League would be happy to have the few thousand who have turned up to watch Bafana Bafana go through their paces at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The training facilities may not be the best, with bumpy pitches at the Kumasi University and Ghana Breweries and no changing rooms, but coach Trott Moloto is still satisifed with the facilities.

"We have to realise that we're in Africa so the facilities won't be the best we've ever used," he said.

"But the people in Ghana have done all they could to make us comfortable. The people here have been really friendly and have made us feel at home. They know us very well and have adopted us as their babies."

In contrast to the last African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso where the players complained of boredom, a host of activities have been arranged in the hotel where the team are staying.

"Here it's been nice. We've tried everything in our powers to see to it that the players are comfortable in everything that they do - from their rooms where there are TVs as well as games like table tennis. They feel really at home here in Kumasi," said Moloto.

The team are staying at the well-appointed Flossid Hotel, where security is tight to keep out the many young fans who stand around the perimeter throughout the day hoping to catch a glimpse of the players.

In fact, security for all the Kumasi-based sides has been very tight with each of the four teams' hotel gates manned by armed guards.

Mark Fish is happy with the way things have turned out in Kumasi: "Compared to other places in Africa we've visited, this is paradise.

"We have televisions in our rooms and have been able to watch lots of sports such as cricket and English football. Many of the players have also brought along their DVD players so there's been lots to keep us entertained," said Fish, sitting with his video camera in his hand.

Goalkeeper Andre Arendse has also been impressed with the atmosphere in Kumasi. "The locals here have been fantastic - they've really made us feel at home. The people are unbelievably friendly.

"We've also had lots of entertainment to keep us busy. There's also been lots of competition at the table tennis arena and that's been great because it brings out the competitive spirit in the players."

Arendse believes the team spirit in the Bafana Bafana class of 2000 comes close to that of the successful team of 1996.

"The spirit in the 1996 team was unbelievable but I must say we've got a very good mood in this camp too," he said. "It could be even better because we are away from home and we know we have to pull together to be successful."

Normally one of the busiest people at a tournament like the African Cup of Nations, where the action is so intensive, is the team doctor.

And Dr Victor Ramathesele has taken no chances, bringing physio tables, ultra sound machines, two steel trunks of medication and other medical equipment out to Kumasi.

Even when it comes to eating, the South Africans have been thoroughly professional in their preparation.

All their meals are being prepared by their very own chef, Jeff Schudermans who hails from mid-Rand in South Africa.

"The only ingredients we get locally are fresh produce like vegetables," he revealed. "Otherwise everything else had been brought out from South Africa.

"I've been cooking lots of pap (maize meal) and beef and even the locals in the kitchen here have learnt to cook pap."

The locals have certainly embraced the tournament warmly by turning up in big numbers at the games as well as at the training sessions.

Now it's up to the teams to reciprocate by delivering entertaining and exciting football.

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EX-KOTOKO COACH IN PRISON CUSTODY

Culled from The Graphic
30th December 1999

By Robert Kyei-Gyau, Kumasi

A Kumasi Circuit Tribunal chaired by Mr. Joseph A. Abanga on Friday, December 24, remanded Abubakari Ouattara, former head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC, in prison custody.

Ouattara, who is already standing trial at the same tribunal for fraud, has been freshly charged on two counts of defrauding by false pretences. To make matters worse for the former Asante Kotoko head coach, his own brother, Issah Kaleepha, a senior industrial relations officer of the Ashanti GPRTU who stood surety for his bail earlier withdrew his surety. Mr. Kaleepha told the Tribunal that Ouattara was about to abscond by travelling abroad and therefore he could not, under the circumstance, stand surety for his release any longer.

Mr. Abanga consequently remanded Ouattara in prison custody to reappear on Thurday, December 30.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Regina Kesewah said the two complainants, Salamatu Adam and Elder Stephen Opoku Afriyie, are a seamstress and an auto electrician respectively.

The prosecutor said somewhere in February Ouattara gave a lift to the first complainant, Salamatu Adam, and in the course of their conversation she expressed her desire to travel outside the country.

Ouattata then revealed to Salamatu that one Oheneba Charles, an official of the Ghana Football Association, was organising supporters for the national women's football team, the Black Queens, to travel to the U.S.A. Chief Inspector Kesewah said Ouattara demanded and duly received an amount of ¢3 million from Salamatu to enable him include her in the list of people who would be going to the U.S.A. to support the Black Queens.

Salamatu after paying the money later informed the second complainant, Elder Stephen Opoku Afriyie, about what had transpired between her and Coach Ouattara. She thereafter introduced Ouattara to Elder Opoku Afriyie. According to the prosecution, Ouattara promised sending Elder Opoku Afriyie's three children to Europe and demanded an amount of ¢3 million for each, totalling ¢9 million which the second complainant duly paid to Ouattara.

The prosecutor said Ouattara later went to Elder Opoku Afriyie and collected US 1,500 from him to secure a football trials for one of his sons in Italy.

Once again Ouattara returned to the second complainant and demanded for and received an amount of ¢5,270,000 for further processing of the travelling documents for the three children, Chief Inspector Kesewah said. According to the prosecution, Ouattara, after receiving all these monies, failed to honour his promise of sending Salamatu and the three children of Elder Opoku Friyie to their various destinations in U.S.A. and Europe respectively. The complainants confronted Quattara for a refund of their monies but he refused to pay and they informed Asante Kotoko FC who paid ¢1 million and ¢3 million to Salamatu and Elder Opoku Afriyie respectively. The club later told complainants that they were no longer prepared to pay any more moneys in respect of Coach Abubakari Ouattara and advised that they could take legal action for a refund of their monies. Ouattara is said to have issue a post-dated cheque covering an amount of ¢10.5 million to be cashed on December 10 to the complainants. However, Ouattata on December 9 stopped the complainants from going to the bank to cash the cheque because he had no money there, the prosecutor said.

Chief Inspector Kesewah said Ouattara was consequently put before the tribunal and charged for the offence, to which he pleaded not guilty.

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ASANTEHENE SENDS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Culled from Ghana Review International

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 28 Dec '99 - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to Ghanaians as they celebrate this year's Christmas, which marks the end of the 20th century and the second millennium.

In a Christmas and New Year message, the Asantehene noted that "the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one has always been regarded as a most propitious occasion for peoples everywhere". "It is time for them to take stock of the past and rededicate themselves to the promotion of a peaceful, prosperous and contended future for themselves and their children".

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, therefore, asked Ghanaians to join him to give thanks to God for his blessings and pray that the New Year will benefit from the wisdom and lessons of the past as this year draws to a close.

He expressed the hope that Ghanaians, would in unity, dedication and diligence, use the resources, with which nature has so bountifully blessed the country, to enrich and uplift their lives as a people.

The Asantehene said "after the joy and merriment of Christmas and its message of peace and goodwill to all mankind, I extend to all the people of Ghana best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year".

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