South Africa passes World Cup test

The final whistle has been blown at the Confederations Cup in South Africa – Brazil walked off with the cup after beating the USA and Spain beat South Africa into third place after extra time.

However, beyond what went on on the pitch, the point of the tournament was to act as a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup.

So has South Africa passed the test?

During the competition, there were international complaints about the vuvuzela, the long, plastic trumpet loved by local fans.

But in truth, this isn’t really an issue – it is part of South African culture and seemingly here to stay.

However, Danny Jordaan, who heads the Local Organising Committee, says that the event has thrown up some fundamental issues that he is keen to address.

“The first one is the Park and Ride which is a new addition to South African sport,” he told the BBC.

“Secondly we have to work harder on getting our fans into the stadium early. These are the two that we have to deal with for the World Cup but, overall, we’re happy with what we’ve achieved so far”.

Room for improvement

Happy they may be but it is no surprise that Mr Jordaan is concerned by the Park and Ride for it has been shambolic at times and needs real improvements.

The state of the pitches here has also been a problem but that is easy to fix – as organisers are unlikely to play rugby matches on them days before the World Cup.

That was the case ahead of the visit of the British Lions, which in terms of audience numbers is far bigger than the Confederations Cup.

Some 35,000 rugby fans are in the country, stretching South Africa’s air capacity to the full.

Tom Corcoran, a British travel agent, says it has not been an easy ride.

“Of our clients, about a third of them have lost their luggage at the airport. It doesn’t bode well.”

“It has been chaos at the airports, and it is small numbers now – about a tenth of what we are expecting next year.

“A lot of the internal flights are used to business travel so the airlines are used to passengers with just hand luggage but these guys are international travellers so they are coming with 20kg each.

“The airlines seemed to think there was too much luggage for the planes so they had to leave bags behind,” he said.

Yet the real problem was that it took two or three days for the bags to arrive, so leaving some fans stranded in shorts during this fierce South African winter.

‘Not good for South Africa’

Equally concerning has been the various thefts, with possessions having gone missing from the media centre, as well as already reported incidents involving the Brazilian and Egyptian camps.

Although many sought to gloss over those incidents, the hard reality was they were there.

“I don’t think this is any good for South Africa,” said Egyptain defender Ahmed Fathi.

“I don’t know why it happened but I know everyone is sad about the loss of the money. I don’t know what else could be done but i think it is sad.”

Nonetheless, other players have been effusive in their praise, including victorious Brazilian Kaka, who said the tournament was exactly what he was expecting from Africa in terms of excitement and passion, particularly from the fans.

Many locals were slightly dismayed by the organisation of the event but many were proud with the way it went.

“Whoever said that Africans can’t organise anything is eating humble pie now.

“Look at the crowds – everyone is happy and this is what Africa is all about. The doomsayers are under the bed now that the World Cup has come to Africa. We have to show the world our culture,” one South African told me.

Food for thought

But one issue was highlighted by South Africans who attended the matches. One man told the BBC that the women who sold local foods had been stopped from selling their wares in the stadiums.

“We need to see these people at the World Cup. We sing, we dance, we need energy and we need to eat in the stadium,” he said.

This is an issue that may run and run, with voices being raised about the sidelining of hawkers from the stadium perimeters.

But things have, on the whole, gone well, not only for the locals but also many international observers.

Andy Anson, who is heading England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, said he had been greatly impressed.

“It has been a fantastic football competition, I think it has been one of the most exciting Confederation Cups that there has been.

“So they have clearly done a very good job of staging the event and I think you have to focus on the positives. But I do know that there are things that the organisers want to improve on for next year.

“So that is one of the reasons for having this event – that you learn from it and you make things better. But overall it has been a tremendous success,” he said.

Source: The BBC

ICT expert advocates one laptop for a teacher

Mr. Addow-Quashie, Director of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) of the Parliament of Ghana on Thursday observed that the successful integration of computer revolution into the school system, demands the need for one laptop for a teacher.

“Teachers must be enabled to use the instructional technology,” he said, adding that giving each teacher a laptop would be a useful tool in their hands and have tremendous impact in the classroom.

Mr. Addow-Quashie made the observation at a brainstorming meeting in Accra to develop ideas that could transform teaching and learning with the aid of ICT.

It was organised in by the Advanced Information Technology Institute and Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT and attracted participants from Ghana Education Service, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Ghana National Association Graduate Teachers, Heads of private and public schools, Information Technology companies and the media.

Mr. Addow-Quashie appealed to the government to include teachers in the one computer for a pupil project aimed at automating the classroom with instructional technology.

He said teachers must make their needs known to government through constant appeals.

Mrs. Cecilia Tutu-Danquah, Pedagogical Consultant for ICT in Education noted that technology offers in-depth understanding and explains the knowledge behind innovations.

She said technology must be perceived as a catalyst for change in teaching style, in learning approaches, and access to information.

She said teachers must be willing to accept ICT or the world would leave them behind.

Mrs Tutu-Danquah advised parents not to prevent their children from the use of the computer.

During open forum, participants identified the slow rate of ICT in the educational system in Ghana as the apathy of most teachers to embrace ICT.

Source: GNA

Dr Mahama gives up presidential ambition

Four-time flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has been reluctant to confirm reports he would not contest the flagbearership a fifth time.

Dr Mahama has however told Joy FM the party’s flagbearer position is open to members who want to contest when the party goes to congress.

The flagbearer is already calling for early congress.

Joy News sources say Dr. Mahama officially announced at the party’s meeting on Friday that he would not contest the flagbearership. Read more

NPP not ‘broke’ but challenged

The Opposition New Patriotic Party has denied assertions that the party is broke.

Collins Yaw Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Finance Committee of the party contends the NPP has separate and several accounts from which the party draws funds for its activities and could therefore not be described as broke.

News paper reports alleged the party’s coffers were dry following the defeat in last year’s general elections. Read more

World Bank approves $535million to support budget

The World Bank has approved $535 million to support three credit facilities aimed at helping improve economic governance and stabilizing Ghana’s economy.

The amount is the biggest ever to be approved for the country in one sitting of the board of executive directors.

The Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit is worth $300 million, the Transport Sector Project $225 million and the Natural Resources and Environmental Governance facility $10 million. Read more

Lens editor apologises for calling parliament “den of thieves”

The Editor of the Lens News Paper Kobby Fiagbe has apologized to Parliament for bringing the name of the house into disrepute.

The paper on its June 3, 2009 edition described parliament as a “den of thieves.”

He accused some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication of extorting GH¢ 1000.00 from telecommunication networks in the country.

A member of that Committee and the Minority Chief Whip, Frederick Opare Ansah outraged by the publication filed a complaint before the leadership of parliament for appropriate remedies.

After a hearing held in camera on Tuesday, Mr Fiagbe admitted apologizing for the publication.

The remorseful editor said the publication was not intended to malign the House of Parliament. Read more

Hearts fans go wild

Fans of Hearts of Oak went on rampage after their side lost grounds at the top of the Glo Premier League match on Monday.

The angry fans took issues with anything in sight and cast aspersions on Coach Nii Noi Thompson and his backroom staff after drawing 1-1 with All Stars in their outstanding league match.

But the heavy security apparatus detailed at the stadium warded off any physical attack.

The club has struggled for form in the second half of the league after going five matches without a win.

The draw means the this year’s is set for a photo-finish after rivals Asante Kotoko closed the gap to two with four matches remaining.

Source: Ghanasoccernet.com

Okomfuor Kwaadee found

For sometime now, many music enthusiasts have been worried sick about the whereabout and condition of one of the finest hiplife lyricists in Ghana, Okomfuor Kwadee. All such persons should heave a sigh of relief because the rapper has been found and is doing extremely well.

Prolific hiplife artiste Okomfour Kwadee real name, Jerry Anaba, who has been missing in action for over three years has presently been spotted during a Weekly Fylla investigation on his where about. Kwadee has resurfaced at a residence on the Spintex Road, a suburb of Accra. From our investigations, Kwaadee has been in Accra for almost a while now.

Last year, Okomfour who had personal related issues, moved to his home town Navrongo in the Upper East region to cool off and spent some time with his family after news went round that he had gone mad. He later moved to an unknown location at Asamankese in the Eastern region early this year, where he stayed until he moved back to Accra few weeks ago.

This news comes as very refreshing and a sign of hope to all Okomfour Kwadee fans that keep calling on radio programmes and writing short letters to entertainment newspapers asking of the where about of the award-winning star. Weekly Fylla can confirm that he is presently recording a 20-track album, at Quick Action’s S24 studio also on the Spintex Road.

When Weekly Fylla checked with Quick Action if indeed he is working on a new album with Kwaadee, he confirmed that Okomfour Kwadee is presently recording a full album in his studio. “The album is almost done because he has completed over ten songs on the album”.

Asked how Kwadee was doing, Quick Action said Kwaadee is the same person Ghanaians used to know but he looks a bit sober than before. He said Kwaadee has changed physically because he has cut down his dread locks but lyrically and musically, he believes Kwadee is even better than before.

Comparing his previous songs to what he is recording now, Action said the new songs sound as though it is Kwaadee’s first album because the energy he’s exhibiting in his new recordings has never being heard of in any of his old songs.
On the same issue Weekly Fylla’s Naana Ntiri visited Kwadee and his manager Eric at their residence. According to the reporter, the rapper is healthy and hearty. Kwadee declined to grant the reporter an interview but promised to speak to the paper in a few weeks.

The reporter had the opportunity to listen to some of his new tracks. Kwadee’s new album is expected to be released before the end of the year. His manager asked his fans and loved ones to continue praying for him because he is planning to make a public appearance very soon.

Source: Weekly Fylla

Muntari breaks long silence

Black Stars midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari has broken his silence and spoken for the first time about recent media reports suggesting he boycotted recent international matches.

The player who is fit again after undergoing extensive treatment in France for a muscle injury has denied that he ever threatened to boycott the national team and has rather thanked Ghanaians for their prayers and support. He confirmed that he is now fully fit and hopeful as always of a call up for the next World Cup qualifier.

“I kept quiet initially because i did not make much of all the stories but it looks like my silence may have raised doubts about my 100% loyalty to Ghana. “The Inter Milan star has been making headlines in Italy for the right reasons after becoming the second Ghanaian to win the Italian league trophy. This followed an impressive run by his club Inter Milan who clinched the Serie A title and thus making Muntari the second Black Stars player after Stephen Appiah who won the Scudetto in 2005 with Juventus.

However back home in Ghana, it appears the hero has turned into a villain in some people’s eyes.

The peak of the controversy was when Sulley’s mother, Hajiya Kande openly stated that without her son, the senior national team, the Black Stars would no longer be a force to reckon with in international soccer. “No Sulley, no Black Stars”, 42-year-old was the infamous interview aired on Fox FM in Kumasi and rebroadcast in Accra recently. The remarks seemed to have attracted disaffection and even scorn for the Inter Milan player lately. Muntari’s reaction is this.
“If my mum offended anyone then as her son, I say sorry. For me I see it as a mother who wants the best for her child and spoke out of emotion and not malice. Yes she got carried away because she still sees me as her little boy – she meant no harm but if people took offense then i am sorry. It is a closed chapter and we all have to move on.”

Muntari believes there are bigger goals to achieve and “better things to take up our time so we must not lose focus.

Tracing his injury woes, the player said he picked up the injury six weeks before the end of the season but was given constant treatment by Inter doctors to enable him end the season. “I had to undergo the treatment immediately the season ended in order for me to recover.”

Muntari claims it would have been selfish for him to play at 60% so he informed the GFA so that a fully fit player like Kojo would get his chance.

On his fracas with the former Youth and Sports Minister, the player said he only spoke his mind and was being honest. “It’s a pity that people accused me of being rude to the minister. I hold nothing against him. Maybe he did not understand what I said to him and maybe I did not understand either – it is all in the past – we must focus and work hard towards South Africa 2010″.

The former Udinese and Portsmouth star beamed as he said he was so lucky to have the love and support of his fiance Miss Menaye Donkor

“You know she keeps me in check and is always there for me so I am extremely blessed to have her by my side.”

The player then went on to heap tons of praises on the Black Stars especially captain Stephen Appiah who he says “commands a lot of respect and has a huge heart and fighting spirit………he is a great captain and a great person.”

We have so many players with leadership qualities including John Mensah and Michael Essien whom he believes will explode by 2010 along with a fit again Laryea Kingston. “With so many players in good form we have to be optimistic but we also have to be focused so that we sail through the qualifiers.”

Muntari believes that Ghanaians will see an even better Kojo Asamoah next season after a tremendous campaign with Udinese in the Italian Serie A. “When I was at Udinese I was given all the support to succeed and I know Kojo will also make it there. God willing we will make to South Africa and I just pray that as individuals and as a team we peak just at the right time for Ghana.”

Credit: Soccerworld

Angry Kufuor distraught about leaks

The former President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor has threatened to kick against any monthly meeting with the party leadership in his private resi dence, to avoid misconceptions against him.

The information gathered from the camp of the ex-President was that he is upset by reports in the public domain that sought to malign him, following the con­troversial meetings he held with party gurus in his house last two weeks. Read more

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