BLACK STARS DROWNED THE PHARAOHS

I don’t ever recalling anybody making a heavy prediction in favour of Ghana in the most anticipated match in the play offs for Brazil 2014.

It was the usual attitude of hoping for the best without sticking one’s neck to say the Black Stars could win 6-1 against the Pharaoh in the first leg in Ghana.

Personally, I predicted 4-1 in favour of the Black Stars of Ghana but it went beyond it in the favour my motherland. The pairing of Ghana and Egypt in the World Cup play off for Brazil 2014 was the fiercest amongst all the fixtures for African representatives in next year’s mundial.

Probably, the winner in the Ghana-Egypt fixture will give Africa its true representative in the global showpiece in Brazil. Ghana made it to the quarter finals in South Africa 2010 where Uruguay denied Ghana from making history. Some pundits and writers on 15th October, 2013 decided to revise their notes as the Black Stars of Ghana demolished the Pharaohs 6-1 in Kumasi.

From afar one was tempted to conclude that the dominance of Egypt on the African continent was over. He or she could be right but there is a return in November.

If the Pharaohs are able to overturn the score line, they will pick one of the slots for Africa in next year’s competition. However, the current political tension in Egypt is casting some doubt on the security of the Ghanaian players and spectators for the return fixture.

Though Egyptian officials insist their country is safe, some Ghanaians are calling for a neutral ground for the return match in November.

GO GHANA...GO FOR THE WIN...BRAZIL,HERE WE COME!

GHANA’S GENESIS BEFORE THE PHARAOHS-2

…For instance, Egyptians were known to have buried their Kings(Pharaohs) with gold. This situation is not different in Ghana. In fact, some ethnic groups including the Ga trace their origin from Egypt and by that celebrate the ‘Pass over’ each year.

Again, some Akan groups also believe they migrated from Egypt.

It is fascinating to know that the name Pharaoh Tutankhamon is written as Tutu Ankama and used in Ghana. The current Asante King(Otumfuor Osei Tutu II) has Tutu as part of his stool name and this could make this assumption quite true.

Away from their similarities, though the Pharoahs beat the Stars 1-0 during the 2010 finals of the African Cup of Nations in Angola, the two countries were managed by two different coaches then.

Interestingly, the Ghanaians were managed by Milovan Rajevac, a Serbian, but are now being handled by a local coach, Kwesi Appiah. On the contrary, the Egyptians won their seventh African Cup of Nations with Hassan Shehata, a local coach but are now under Bob Bradley, a former coach for United States of America(USA). Both sides have experienced some changes in terms of strength therefore past meetings between the two will have little or nothing to do with the play-offs.

Ghana’s coach, Kwesi Appiah would want to make history as the first local coach to have qualified the Stars to any World Cup therefore he has no room to play.

Bradley, knowing Ghana too well as a former coach of the American team is also not taking this as any ordinary match between the two sides.

Surprisingly, the former coach of Egypt, Hassan Shehata has tipped the Stars to qualify ahead of the Pharaohs. For me, going for gold in Brazil is not the sole aim of either side as both countries can boast of trophies, gold and other precious mineral resources. So, what is it then that is making two countries which have been united through the marriage of Nkrumah and Fathia want to outwit each other?

So where will the heart of Fathia be as Ghana plays Egypt? Since she loved to be buried in Ghana, I think Ghana would qualify ahead of Egypt.

The Black Stars of Ghana have everything to lose if they don’t qualify. Equally, Egypt last qualified for a World Cup in 1990 and would want to have a feel of it once more.

Only time will tell which of two countries will qualify.

I wish THE BLACK STARS OF GHANA, ALL THE BEST.

GHANA IS STILL THE HOPE OF AFRICA.

GHANA'S GENESIS BEFORE THE PHARAOHS

The pitch is set, the atmosphere is charged but poisoned with all manner of tactics to eliminate each other in order to qualify for Brazil 2014.

After Ghana’s maiden appearance in Germany 2006 World Cup where the team got to the 1/16th stage of the competition, they went further to the quarter finals in South Africa 2010. It therefore implies that the team could even go beyond the semis if the dream of qualification becomes a reality.

6th September, 2013 was quite a happy day for some Ghanaians after the Black Stars of Ghana beat their counterparts from Zambia (Copper Bullet) 2-1 in the final group game of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers which was full of tension and nervy moments. Ghana being one of the 10 countries to qualify from their group had to be paired in order to the get five final teams which will represent Africa in Brazil.

Fortunately or unfortunately, on 16th September, the Black Stars of Ghana were pitched against the Pharaohs of Egypt for the play-offs to get worthy representatives for Africa in next year’s Mundial. Ghana host the first leg on October 15 before visiting the North Africans on the weekend of November 15-19 for the second leg.

The last competitive meeting between the two saw Egypt beating Ghana 1-0 to lift their seventh trophy on the continent, making them a very fearsome side.

This pairing caused a sudden stir in Ghana with those with faint hearts ready to ‘throw in the towel’ as they believe it was all over for the Stars in their quest for a third consecutive appearance at the World event. On the other hand, it also brought a different ‘can do spirit’ in the thinking among soccer or football-loving fans and pundits alike in Ghana. This dominated sports shows and commentaries.

It was however not surprising that the play-offs between Ghana and Egypt have been tagged as the ‘Final before the Finals’. Someone even proposed fasting and prayers for the Stars as they are going test hell before reaching Brazil.

Be it hell or not, the Black Stars of Ghana have been through the wilderness battling for survival before reaching the land of the Pharaohs. If the Stars were found in a group made up of Lesotho(Crocodiles), Sudan(Crocodiles) and Zambia ( Copper Bullet) and yet survived, I don’t know what else is needed to psych the players up for the final battle with the Egyptians.

It would interest one to know that Ghana and Egypt have a number of things in common and being put together as one family by Ghana’s first couple in 1957 thus the marriage between Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and a very pretty Egyptian lady, Fatiah Halen Ritzk who was studying Arabic in a university in Cairo at the time, there should be no hard feelings.

None understood why Nkrumah decided not to marry a Ghanaian, some thought it had some political undertone but he knew what awaits the two countries and Africa after the marriage.

After the overthrow of Nkrumah in 1966, Fathia lived in Egypt until her death in 2007. Whiles alive, she always wished to be buried in Ghana if she died. It was done as she wanted and was buried next to her husband, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in Accra.

Aside the marriage between Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Fathia Halen Riztk of Egypt in 1957, the two countries share a couple things in common....

AT THE MERCY OF THE JUSTICES-2

…Recently appearing before the 9 Supreme Court judges who do not spare the rod in a similar vein were the General Secretary of the NPP, lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie(Sir John) and a member of the NPP’s Commmunication team, Mr.Hopeson Adorye who narrowly escaped being sentenced to prison, were fined GH¢5,000 and GH¢2,000 respectively, thanks to their classy counsel, lawyer Ayikoi Otoo.

These actions of the Court have indeed set the tone for those who misrepresent facts given before and during and after court proceedings to be cautious, not leaving out those who might be tempted to preempt the final verdict.

With the peace of the country in mind, I don’t think the 9 justices of the Court led by Justice William Atuguba would want to meddle with it, in terms of the final verdict.

In what appears to be a very protracted case, the final verdict would be made public on 29th August, 2013. Therefore Ghanaians who are quite anxious must begin to see a more united and a ‘new’ Ghana after the verdict.

Let’s not forget in all our actions and inactions that, WE ARE ONE PEOPLE…ONE NATION…WITH A COMMON DESTINY. The watch word is PEACE!

AT THE MERCY OF THE JUSTICES

I don’t think any of us thought and expected that the 2012 general elections in Ghana could end up in the Supreme Court. As to whether we did or not, it apparently ended up in the Supreme Court with petitioners from the New Patriotic Party(NPP) resorting to the Court for their grievances in the that very elections to be addressed.

Per the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the winner of the election is to be sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana regardless of any questions that might have arisen from the polls. However, the Constitution creates room for anyone who seems not satisfied with the results to challenge the President. According to Article 64(1): “ The validity of the election of the President may be challenged only by a citizen of Ghana who may present a petition for the purpose to the Supreme Court within twenty-one days after the declaration of the result of the election in respect of which the petition is presented”.

From the above, it clearly indicates that the flag bearer of the (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo and others who petitioned the Court were right in that regard to challenge the current president, Mr John Mahama in court as the one who won the elections.

One principle that seems to fascinate some Ghanaians is ‘ Equality before the law’. With this, one’s age, social standing, academic records and personal achievements, creed, political affiliation are made to diminish within a twinkle of an eye.

‘Great’ men who command authority in their various fields of endeavour are made to look like “toddlers” who are helpless without the support of their mum or dad but the positive aspect of this is the kind of circumspection that Ghanaians are being exposed to when dealing with an issue which is quite “volatile” and sensitive in nature.

Since action speaks louder than words, some individuals have fallen foul of the Court already. The likes of Ken Korankye, the Managing Editor of the Searchlight and Mr. Steven Atubiga have gone behind bars for 10 and 3 days respectfully for certain derogatory comments made which were contemptuous of the Court in the on-going landmark case....

A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY -3

...This they did by filing a petition at the Supreme Court. Though the petition was to have their grievances addressed, NPP as they put it, were not necessarily seeking power but would want the truth to be established both for the current and future generations.

This land mark case as sometimes referred to , was broadcast and telecast on radio and television stations respectively across the length and breadth of the country.

Though the Supreme Court has not given its verdict, some politicians are beginning to claim the direction of the judgment. Some interesting developments also took place during the hearing. These included barring of any comment that might preempt actions of the court as well as those which were considered contemptuous of the court. These went to the extent of jailing Ken Korankye, the Managing Editor of the Searchlight for 10 days and Mr. Steven Atubiga for 3 days for certain derogatory comments made. Ghanaians are currently waiting for the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the election petition.

Another thing worth knowing is the case involving Waterville Holdings Ltd, Alfred Woyome and the state. It would surprise President Mills to know that the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision asked Waterville to refund the €25 million it received through false judgment debt to the government of Ghana.

In a same vein, the case involving Ghana and Isofoton SA has taken a different twist. Here, the company has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the country $400,000 as a result of a judgment its received in 2011. Thanks to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Martin Amidu for his relentless effort in ensuring that the truth is put where it belongs.

The above might not be enough to tell our late President in terms of the number of events that have occurred in his absence. Again, fire gutted many places including Kantamanto market, Kumasi central market, among others. These fires have destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana Cedis and have rendered many jobless, taking away their sources of livelihood. This even led to government arranging for some fire experts to fly to Ghana to assist the Ghana National Fire Service investigating into the number of fire cases being recorded in the country.

Moreover, operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) suffered a setback with some transformers getting burnt to compound the already existing difficulties of the company in giving quality services to Ghanaians. Power fluctuation continues to be the order of the day, affecting industries and life in general.

Furthermore, in the world of football, the Black Stars of Ghana were fourth in this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 which was held in South Africa. The team is on the verge of qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Finally, the Black Satellites of Ghana placed third in the just ended Turkey 2013 which saw France lifting the trophy.

Uncountable events have occurred since the demise of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills but the above are a few ones worth mentioning.

Wherever the soul of our late President might be, I want to say;

DUE! DUE NE AMANEHUNU!! W’AKO KO DEN!!!

DA YIE…

ADIEU…

ADEOS…

GOODBYE…

A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY-2

…agree with him ideologically had. The above sometimes described him as meek and weak but following his death, he has been labeled a strong man.

Again, it was only after his death that a lot of politicians became true and principal witnesses, who hailed, lauded and sang appellations to this hero. Some went to the extent of asking their fellow politicians to emulate him( Mills).

Just after his death, messages of condolence, started pouring in from leaders of other countries across the globe. One could not differentiate between the Queen of England and the ordinary man on the streets of Accra as one word was on the lips of both. This word was ‘SHOCK’! For me, this word was over-used as both literates and illiterates used it in describing our President’s demise.

One may ask why I am putting this piece together. It is exactly a year since Ghana lost its President but as a Ghanaian, I am using this medium to tell our late President, some of the events that have occurred in absence. The following are just a few.

First of all, the then Vice President, John Dramani Mahama was sworn-in as the President of the Republic to complete former President Mills’ tenure which had six more months to end. He was to continue from where the late President Mills ended. Aside being the President at the time, Mr. Mahama was elected as the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2012 general elections.

The second event was the death of former Vice President in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Alhaji Aliu Mahama . On a dull Friday morning, 16th November,2012, Ghanaians had to brace themselves up for weeks of mourning and wailing again. The news of the passing away of its former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama broke and it was unbearable.

His death was equally mind-blowing for the people of Ghana as it seemed a repeated dose within five months for Ghanaians. Though his death was received in the same manner as President Mills’, it was a bigger blow for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) since campaigns and preparations towards the 2012 elections had to be suspended in order to clear that hurdle.

Another event that occurred after President Mills’ death was the collapse of a 6-storey Achimota Melcom Shopping Centre building on Wednesday November 7, 2012 with lives and property destroyed. It was terrible. This worsened the pains Ghanaians have been bearing since July 24, 2012.

One other event that cannot go unmentioned was the 2012 elections. This was keenly contested. It was simply because, President Mahama had only six months to campaign in order to compete with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who has been campaigning since 2010 after he was elected the flag bearer of the NPP. The 2012 elections was eventually won by NDC which was led by John Dramani Mahama but his competitor, Nana Addo, thought otherwise.

Per the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the winner of the election is to be sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana regardless of any questions that might have arisen from the polls. However, the Constitution creates room for anyone who seems not satisfied with the results to challenge the President. According to Article 64(1):

“ The validity of the election of the President may be challenged only by a citizen of Ghana who may present a petition for the purpose to the Supreme Court within twenty-one days after the declaration of the result of the election in respect of which the petition is presented”...