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Underdogs Dreams FC confident ahead of Zamalek clash

Kelvin Owusu-Ansah
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Underdogs Dreams FC confident ahead of Zamalek clash

Ghana’s Dreams FC will be heavy underdogs when they take on Egyptian giants Zamalek in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semifinal tie, but head coach Karim Zito is confident his side can pull off an upset.

The Ghanaian club eliminated Stade Malien of Mali in the quarterfinals, advancing on a 3-2 aggregate after winning 2-1 in the first leg before drawing 1-1 at home in the return match.

Their semifinal opponents Zamalek, known as the White Knights, moved into the last four by dispatching fellow Egyptian side Modern Future FC with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Despite facing one of the biggest clubs in African football, Dreams FC’s Zito insists his team has nothing to fear.

“It sounds frightening and so difficult but I can tell you it is not impossible,” Zito stated. “We have to work on our attitude towards that game and I can tell you we will surely get what we want there,” Karim Zito said on GPL Xpress.

Karim Zito

The coach called on the club’s supporters to throw their backing behind the underdogs for the massive challenge ahead.

“They should not be worried. We know the quality of Zamalek but they should not also look down on Dreams FC. Nobody thought we would reach this stage. We need their support,” Zito added.

Dreams FC will be hosted in the first leg by Zamalek in Cairo before travelling to Kumasi for the decisive second leg, with the aggregate winner advancing to the Confederations Cup final.

60 E-blocks completed; 15 earmarked for completion – Majority

Emmanuel Kwarteng
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60 E-blocks completed; 15 earmarked for completion – Majority

Alexander Affenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Effutu constituency has stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Akufo-Addo has completed 60 out of the 101 community-day school buildings (E-blocks).

He said the number of E-blocks completed by the NPP is higher than the 29 completed under the NDC.

“As at the time we assumed office, they who were the initiators of this initiative had completed only 29. This government believes in continuity…so far, we have successfully completed as at 2022, 31 more so making it a total of 60 community-day schools that are in operation,” Affenyo-Markin told the pressmen in Parliament on Friday, April 19.

He added, “The rest have been reassessed and I can say on authority that 15 of these E-blocks have been earmarked for resumption of work.”

E-blocks
Affenyo-Markin addressing the press in Parliament

The Majority Leader further indicated that the government has completed a total of 747 structures across the country to augment the existing infrastructure in senior high schools.

FSHS records 1.4 million in enrollment

The Effutu lawmaker further revealed that as of December 2023, a total of 1.4 million vulnerable households had benefited from the implementation of the Free Senior High School.

READ ALSO: Economic conditions would’ve been worse if NDC were still in office – Affenyo-Markin

He said, “Upon successful implementation of this Free SHS we have had an enrollment increasing by 75 percent. In terms of numbers, we have had 800,000 plus getting access from the beginning up to 1.4 million.”

“Currently we have almost 1.4 million of Ghanaian children in school, majority of them are from vulnerable homes,” he emphasised.

Reduction in electricity tariff

Mr. Affenyo-Markin also noted that despite the apparent economic hardships, the situation would have been worse under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), “given their posture while in government.”

He argued that the NPP are better managers of the Ghanaian economy, including the energy sector, than their NDC counterparts.

He emphasised that the NPP, upon assumption of office, implemented key policies such as a reduction in electricity tariffs to cushion businesses and households as well as the free senior high school policy, which, according to him, the NDC, while in government, said were “political talk.”

“Somewhere in 2015 when Ghanaians were calling for reduction in utility tariffs, particularly electricity, the then president Mahama, currently the flagbearer said the cost of the production of electricity was so high that there was no way they could reduce electricity tariff. The NPP government today, the NDC criticises, took steps to negotiate a major tariff reduction.”

“Households enjoyed between 17 to 20 percent, corporate enjoyed reduction up to 25 percent, the mining companies benefited and the records are there that upon assumption of office, the very thing we spoke about in opposition which our friends then in government said it was political talk, we came in and announced this major tariff reduction,” he said.

The Sharks Quiz 7: Kumaca give Kumasi Girl’s SHS early bus to Oseikrom

Raphael Ghartey
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The Sharks Quiz 7: Kumaca give Kumasi Girl’s SHS early bus to Oseikrom

The third contest in the first round series of Senior Sharks 7 featured two schools with one geographical identity.

Kumasi Girl’s SHS and Kumasi Academy, two respected schools from the Garden City of Kumasi faced off for a ticket into the next round.

Kumasi Academy (Kumaca) made light work of the challenge presented by their fellow towners to book a second round slot.

The Asokore-Mampong school worked well as a team from start to finish as they delivered a respectable performance for their fans.

The Sharks Quiz 7: Accra Academy eliminates Tamale Girl’s SHS in first round

Even though the margin of win was big, Kumasi Girl’s (Kugiss) must be encouraged to look at their strengths especially in Reading and Writing and build on them.

When the contest started, Kumasi Girl’s faced a massive challenge in the Right Corner Round and could not return a single correct answer.

Kumasi Academy, being in the Senior Sharks Quiz a second time, had somewhat discovered the trick to the trade.

They earned a creditable score of forty points. However, Kugiss also excelled in the Reading and Writing segment of the R Cubed Round, earning fifteen as opposed to ten points by Kumaca.

Things went awry for both schools in the STEM Round, with Kumaca worse affected by having a negative score of ten while Kumasi Girl’s had a negative score of five.

The One-on-one Round had eighty (80) points at stake, and thus whoever did the most would win this contest.

English contestants Jessica and Dominic for Kugiss and Kumaca; Math wizards Marvin and Stephanie for Kugiss and Kumaca; Science experts Maureen and Maxcobe for Kugiss and Kumaca; and General Knowledge experts Lordina and Lucas for Kugiss and Kumaca all did their best.

In all, Kumaca’s experts brought home forty points, while experts from Kumasi Girl’s returned zero points.

Final Scores for this contest read: ten points for Kumasi Girls and eighty points for Kumasi Academy.

The summary of the contest clearly indicates that Kumaca had done what was needed to stay in Accra while Kugiss took the first bus to Bohyen, Kumasi.

Kumasi Academy deserves to celebrate their win but even they know they must perform better in future contests.

Congrats to them and best wishes to Kumasi Girl’s. The Sharks Quiz is developed by the Academic Talent Development Program and produced by the Adesa Production Limited (APL).

Official media partner is TV3 with sponsors: MTN, G-Money, Fidelity Bank, Academic City University College, Family Health Medical School, Ashesi University, and University of the Free State.

K.K. Kabobo’s family announces one-week observation date

Raphael Ghartey
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K.K. Kabobo’s family announces one-week observation date

The family of the legendary Highlife musician, Kwabena Kwakye Kabobo known as K.K. Kabobo has announced a week memorial service for the late singer.

The one-week observation has been scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at the Police Depot Social Centre in Tesano, Accra.

TGMA: I have no interest in challenging board for particular nominations – Perez Musik

K.K. Kabobo whose music touched the hearts of many, succumbed to liver disease on Thursday, March 14, 2024 while he was being rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Prior to his death, Kabobo had been on medication and was receiving treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

Weeks prior to his death, the ‘Onyame Ehu Wu‘ hitmaker had revealed he had been unwell for months and the expenses of the family to aid in his treatment were not enough.

Many people including former President John Mahama, Samira Bawumia, Wendy Shay and the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) all donated to fund KK Kabobo’s medical bills.

K.K. Kabobo was a veteran highlife musician with an extensive recognition for some of his most popular songs, such as ‘Onyame Ahu Wo’, ‘Nyatse Nyatse Girl’, and ‘Running Away’.

Hearts and Kotoko era in Ghana football is gone- Nations FC coach Mingle

Bill Eshun
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Hearts and Kotoko era in Ghana football is gone- Nations FC coach Mingle

Nations FC coach Kassim Mingle believes that the era of dominance for Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in Ghana football has ended and it is time for other Ghanaian clubs to step up.

The club has been impressive since their promotion to the Ghana Premier League this season with 44 points earned so far. Only Samartex (49) have earned more points so far.

Hearts and Kotoko however, have been struggling this campaign, placing 9th and 11th respectively.

“We’ve been meeting them and we’ve been beating them so what’s the big deal about it? I did not ask them (Hearts and Kotoko) not to play well. They bought a lot of seasoned players, we did not buy seasoned players. It’s time for other teams to improve. Previously, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko were dominating Ghana football but that era is past and gone,” Mingle said on 3Sports Ghana Premier League show, GPL Xpress.

Mingle has not given up on winning the title. With eight matches left, he is hopeful of beating Samartex to the crown.

“Eight matches left, 24 points so you make sure you win most of the matches. It’s not yet over until it’s  over.”

Nations FC are the only club yet to lose a home game this campaign. Mingle’s side picked up four points from Kotoko this season and drew with Hearts of Oak in their first encounter, with the second leg set on matchday 32.

Assessment conducted on damaged Tema-Mpakadan Railway Train; MD provides reassurance

Publishing Desk
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Assessment conducted on damaged Tema-Mpakadan Railway Train; MD provides reassurance
Introduction:

In the aftermath of an unfortunate incident involving the Tema Mpakadan railway, Dr. Engineer Divine Okutu, the managing director, and head of regulations at the railway development authority, has provided insights into the extent of the damage and the train’s overall condition. Despite visible damage to the front body, Dr. Okutu reassured the public of the train’s continued fitness for purpose.

Details of the Incident:

During a visit to the Tema railway Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), it was revealed that parts of the front body had sustained damage, with the left side of the headlamp also broken. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, prompted an immediate assessment to determine the train’s condition.

Assessment and Reassurance:

Dr. Okutu, in an interview with TV3, explained that the assessment conducted a day after the accident confirmed that the only damaged part of the train was the front body. Despite this, he emphasized that the train remains structurally intact and fit for purpose.

Explanation of the Collision:

Providing further clarity on the cause of the collision, Dr. Okutu took the news team on a tour to demonstrate the train’s integrity. Through this tour, he aimed to assure the public of the safety and reliability of the Tema Mpakadan railway.

Future Plans:

Looking ahead, Dr. Okutu expressed optimism regarding the train’s future. He stated that despite the setback, the train will soon be commissioned for use, reaffirming the commitment to providing efficient and reliable railway services to the public.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the managing director’s reassurance regarding the condition of the Tema Mpakadan railway train offers a sense of confidence amidst the recent incident. With plans for commissioning on the horizon, stakeholders can anticipate the continued operation of this vital transportation infrastructure.

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Elmina Fishing Harbour receives first cruise ship

Publishing Desk
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Elmina Fishing Harbour receives first cruise ship

Ghana’s tourism industry on Thursday, April 18 got a further boost when the Elmina Fishing Harbour in Elmina, with the support of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Port of Takoradi received the first cruise vessel to call at the Port since its commissioning in 2023 under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport.

⁠Ghana is seen as one of the favorite destinations of cruise passengers worldwide with Tema and Takoradi being the traditional Ports of call.

With this maiden call by SH Vega, however, the Elmina Fishing Harbour, which was primarily built by government to assist fisher folks and their fishing activities, has now assumed a dual port role of being both a fishing port and cruise destination port of call.

The historical call at the Elmina Fishing Port by the over 280-capacity passenger vessel, SH Vega, involved a total of 115 persons, made of 106 passengers and 9 crew.

They also enjoyed some traditional drumming and dance lessons with splendid performances.

⁠The vessel, SH Vega, dropped its anchor in the Elmina waters, about 8.8 cables away from the port’s main breakwater.

It then lowered its Zodiac (inflatable boats) into the water before carefully disembarking the 115 passengers and crew members into the zodiac in safe batches.

⁠The nationalities of the passengers aboard the cruise vessel included Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, and Nigeria among others.

The vessel had previously sailed to some ports including Angola, Benin, Congo, Gabon, Togo and São Tomé.

⁠The Director of Port, Mr Peter Amoo-Bediako, lauded the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Transport and its Sector Minister, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah for the vision in the construction of the Elmina Fishing Harbour to assist the fishing activities of the people Elmina and its environs.

He noted that the call of SH Vega at the Elmina Fishing Harbour presented endless opportunities to the Port, in particular, and the Elmina township as a whole.

The Director of Port, Takoradi, was elated that, GPHA with the support of other regulatory institutions: Ghana Maritime Authority, GRA- Customs, National Intelligence Bureau, National Security, NACOB, Immigration, Port Health, Marine Police and Ghana Police Service, was able to achieve this feat.

He described it as a great day in the annals of Ghana’s tourism and maritime sectors and thanked the various institutions for making this possible.

He was full of praise for the MCE of KEEA, Solomon Appiah, the Omanhene of Elmina and the Chief Fisherman and the fisher community in Elmina for their cooperation in making the call of SH Vega.

⁠The Municipal Chief Executive for KEEA, Solomon Appiah, was optimistic that the local economy of Elmina and its environs would be positively affected with this historical achievement.

Ghana Gas, Community Water and Sanitation Agency partner to commission projects in Eastern, Central regions

Publishing Desk
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Ghana Gas, Community Water and Sanitation Agency partner to commission projects in Eastern, Central regions

The Ghana National Gas Company in collaboration with Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has commissioned limited mechanized water supply projects constructed in some communities in the Central and Eastern regions in order to serve residents with potable and clean water.

Assin Amoakrom in the Assin-North District, Otsenkorang in the Agona-West District, Obohen, Odumasi in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District, Abowinum, Badukrom, Okuadze and Nkwantakesedo are the beneficiary communities of project.

The other communities in the Eastern Region includes Addo-Nkwanta and Pupuni, which will serve about 3,800 population.

The various communities with this portable and clean water is about 11,315 within Eastern and Central regions.

The Chief Executive Officer of CWSA, Aloysius Adjetey, praised Ghana National Gas Company for the GH¢2 million funding to complete the projects within the various communities.

“Since the establishment of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, access to water supply in rural communities and small towns in Ghana has improved across the country through partnership and donor support.”

According to him, the Agency has a commitment towards strengthening partnerships to increase and sustain investments in improving water infrastructure to reduce the financial burden on government.

“Community Water and Sanitation Agency, in its quest to ensuring sustainability of the water schemes, has mandated nearby water staff to provide oversight responsibilities for sustainable management of the facility,” he further added.

He emphasized the need for Odumasi community people to be extra careful in ensuring the projects are protected and used for a longer time, by assisting the Agency to protect the component especially the pipelines and to prevent deliberate sabotage by those who will illegally cut the pipelines in an attempt to connect water to their farmlands and homes respectively.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Willi Evans Obiri Awuah, lauded the immense contribution of Ghana National Gas Company for their investments across the nation as well as Community Water and Sanitation Agency for providing potable and clean water for the various communities in the Eastern and Central regions.

“We promise to protect, to keep and to make it neat in the many years to come,” he assured.

Manager at the CSR Department of Ghana National Gas Company Anyimah Edomgbole expressed the company’s commitment to contributing to delivery of potable and clean water and sanitation for the people of Ghana and supporting in the area of sports, education and health across the length and breadth of Ghana.

Chiefs, traditional leaders and queenmother of Odumasi Obaahemaa Ntifuah as well as Very Rev. G. G Arkhurt of the Methodist Church and Dr. Ato Quansah of the Regional Coordinating Council were among others personalities who graced the occasion.

Economic conditions would’ve been worse if NDC were still in office – Afenyo-Markin

Emmanuel Kwarteng
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Economic conditions would’ve been worse if NDC were still in office – Afenyo-Markin

Majority leader and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has mounted a spirited defense against concerns that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has failed to improve the living conditions of the Ghanaian people over the last seven and a half years since they came into power.

He said despite the apparent economic hardships, the situation would have been worse under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), “given their posture while in government.”

The Effutu legislator emphasised that the NPP, upon assumption of office, implemented key policies such as a reduction in electricity tariffs to cushion businesses and households as well as the free senior high school policy, which, according to him, the NDC, while in government, said were “political talk.”

Addressing the press in Parliament on Friday, April 19, the Majority Leader stated that the NDC is nowhere near the NPP in the administration of the country.

NDC
Affenyo-Markin addressing the press in Parliament

“Somewhere in 2015 when Ghanaians were calling for reduction in utility tariffs, particularly electricity, the then president Mahama, currently the flagbearer said the cost of the production of electricity was so high that there was no way they could reduce electricity tariff. The NPP government today, the NDC criticises, took steps to negotiate a major tariff reduction.”

“Households enjoyed between 17 to 20 percent, corporate enjoyed reduction up to 25 percent, the mining companies benefited and the records are there that upon assumption of office, the very thing we spoke about in opposition which our friends then in government said it was political talk, we came in and announced this major tariff reduction.”

READ ALSO:

He admitted that “it is true that Ghanaians are complaining of electricity tariffs; the cost of living is high,” but quickly added that “what we want to emphasise is that it was worse under the NDC and if they were in power, given their posture in government at the time, the situation would have been worse.”

He further stressed that the NDC has not changed since 2016, when they lost the election by over one million votes, indicating that “the only thing that has changed is their running mate.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Afenyo-Markin alluded to the fact that the NPP has completed 60 out of the 101 community-day school buildings (E-Blocks)—started under the erstwhile Mahama administration—to augment infrastructure concerns due to the implementation of the Free SHS policy.

He argued that the NDC only completed 29 of the E-Blocks until they were voted out of office in 2016.

“As at the time we assumed office, they who were the initiators of this initiative had completed only 29. This government believes in continuity…so far, we have successfully completed as at 2022, 31 more so making it a total of 60 community-day schools that are in operation,” he told the press.

We are not going to ask government to do more adjustments – IMF

Laud Nartey
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We are not going to ask government to do more adjustments – IMF

The Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Abebe Selassie, has said that the fund is not going to ask the government of Ghana to do further adjustments.

He says that they are very hopeful that ongoing discussions among official creditors will also expeditiously allow them to conclude the discussions in a bid to get the third tranche released.

Mr Abebe Selasie noted that Ghana has done its part in the move to get the Fund to release the third tranche. It is now left with the external creditors to fulfill their part to get the board to approve the disbursement, he said.

Answering questions at a session at the World Bank Bank, IMF Spring Meetings in Washington on Thursday, April 18, he said “Whereas it took nine months or more for Zambia to get the official creditor committee to be created, in Ghana’s case it was very rapid and that is what allowed us to go to the board and get the programme approved.

“We are very hopeful that ongoing discussions among official creditors will also expeditiously allow us to conclude the upcoming review. Again the most recent mission reached an agreement with the government on policies that are needed to tackle the most recent issues and also put in place an important budget for next year.

“So Ghana has done its fair share and it is for creditors to take steps on this, we are not going to ask the government to do more adjustments because creditors haven’t asked either. So we will provide all the information necessary so creditors can move, allowing us to go to the board as soon as possible.”

The Finance Ministery had announced that the government had reached an interim agreement with international Bondholders.

To that end, the Ministry said the government would continue its negotiations until they reach a deal that is consistent with  IMF debt sustainability targets.

“Update on External Debt Operations: Ghana and Bondholders reached an interim deal, which must still be tweaked to meet IMF debt sustainability targets. We will therefore regroup to continue negotiations until we reach a deal that is consistent with IMF debt sustainability targets,” he wrote on X.

The Ministry announced earlier on Monday, April 15 that Ghana was unable to secure a workable debt deal with two bondholder groups in its push to restructure $13 billion of international bonds.

Reuters reported that formal talks were on hold for now after the International Monetary Fund indicated that the deal would not fit its debt sustainability parameters.

The  IMF Mission Chief for Ghana, Mr. Stéphane Roudet, had said that they were awaiting Ghana to reach an agreement with external creditors to enable the Board to review the staff-level agreement that has been reached as part of the process to release the third tranche.

The  IMF staff and the Ghanaian authorities had reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of Ghana’s economic program under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement.

This staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management approval and Executive Board consideration once the necessary financing assurances have been received.

Mr Roudet said at a joint IMF, Ministry of Finance, Bank of Ghana press conference in Accra on Saturday, April 13 that an agreement between the Ghanaian authorities and their official creditors on an MoU for a debt treatment in line with programme parameters, would provide the needed financing assurances.

Upon completion of the Executive Board review, he said, Ghana would have access to US$ 360 million, bringing the total  IMF financial support disbursed under the arrangement since May 2023 to US$ 1,560 million.

 

“Performance under the IMF-supported program has been generally strong, with most quantitative targets met. Good progress has also been made on the key structural reform milestones. The authorities’ policies and reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth are already generating positive results.

“Economic activity in 2023 was more robust than initially envisaged, and growth projections for 2024 will be revised upward. Monetary policy has remained appropriately tight, allowing for inflation to decline rapidly.

 

“On the fiscal front, consistent with the authorities’ commitments under the IMF-supported program, the fiscal primary balance on a commitment basis improved by over 4 percentage points of GDP in 2023 and is on track to achieve a fiscal primary surplus of ½ percent of GDP in 2024. Spending has remained within budget limits, while the authorities have significantly expanded social protection programs to help mitigate the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable. Ghana has met its non-oil revenue mobilization target, while making progress in implementing ambitious structural fiscal reforms to bolster domestic revenues, strengthen public financial and debt management, and enhance transparency,” a statement issued by the Fund after the press conference said.

 

 

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