Ashanti CPP condemns splinter groups
Re-define contempt of court-Jantuah
$600million trade deficit recorded…in 2000
Tamale (Northern Region) 04 September 2002 – Campaign for the slot of Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is gradually heating up in the Northern Region. For sometime now “T shirts in NDC colours and embossed with the portrait of Professor Atta Mills have become a common apparel in town as though it were an election year.
This has given the impression that as far as the region was concerned the nomination of Professor Atta Mills’ presidential candidature was a foregone conclusion. However, unlike their counterparts in the Central Region no official statement has been made by the regional executive on the primaries.
Out of the blue, a group which identified itself as Northern Region Friends of Dr Kwesi Botchwey, at the weekend declared its support for Dr Botchwey, a former Finance Minister who recently declared his intention to contest the primaries.
A statement from the group acknowledged the democratic culture in the party, saying that would ensure competition, transparency and openness leading to the selection of a winnable candidate.
Acknowledging the virtues of Dr Botchwey, the statement indicate that “he possesses a record of performance dating back to the early 1980s and even beyond the border of the country where he has over the years acquired a wealth of experience and skills needed to deal with the country’s socio-economic problems.
The statement indicated that Dr Botchwey was part of the democrats in the party with the vision that could bring more people to the party. The group took a swipe at the NPP administration for being intolerant to divergent views and added that Dr Botchwey was more experience in handling such behaviours.
A member of the Regional Executive told “The Evening News” that the executive had not decided on any of the two contestants. The executive who spoke on condition of anonymity said since individual delegates would be expected to cast the vote in secret it was not worthy for a whole constituency or Regional Executive to declared its support for a particular candidate.
According to the executive members, he wished more than two candidates would appear so that the party would not be polarised, since experience had shown that an election between two person, sometimes becomes nasty. For him, the race just began “and may the better candidate win”, he added. – Evening News
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Accra (Accra Greater) 04 September 2002 – Contrary to denials by some prominent members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), that there is no intention on the part of the Rawlings faction to form a new party, The Statesman says it can reveal that plans are indeed far advanced for the formation of a splinter party from the NDC.
The decision of the pro-Rawlings group to form a new party was first broken by The Daily Dispatch. This was confirmed in a letter written to the editor of the Dispatch, Ben Ephson, by a key member of the parliamentary caucus of the NDC.
This was denied by Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, the former General Secretary of the party and now Vice Chairman. But another member of the pro-Rawlings group has confirmed to The Statesman in veiled language, that indeed, they would form another party.
“If at our congress in December the party gets hijacked by people who have not got the interest of the party at heart, why not, we shall leave it for them and form our own party”, he told the Statesman. He added further, “after all, we have the most charismatic leader Ghana has ever had to mastermind our campaign”.
According to this pro-Rawlings group member, the performance of the NDC in the 2000 general elections shows that “NDC is Rawlings and Rawlings is NDC”.
Members of the Rawlings camp see Dr Kwasi Botchwey’s declaration of his intention to contest the NDC’s presidential race as an attempt by Dr. Obed Asamoah to hijack the party.
They have therefore launched an all-out attack, seeking to question Dr Botchwey’s commitment to the party. Two of the most outspoken members, Dr Tony Aidoo and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, who had maintained some silence for a long time, have of late gone to town again on Obed Asamoah, calling him inefficient and incompetent.
According to Tony Aidoo, Obed Asamoah’s leadership has emasculated the party”. The Queen of the Rawlings faction, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings recently told Radio Gold, that members of the party must not vote for people who abandoned the party in times past stressing, “they must vote for people who stuck to the party through thick and thin”.
Buttressing “Her Lordship’s point, Ekwow Spio-Grabrah in another interview with Radio Gold last Monday 2nd September, 2002, said Kwesi Botchwey had called the Rawlings all sort of names in the past. But if he is repentant of his utterances and wants to rejoin the rank of the party he is welcome.” But Spio-Grabrah’s “he is welcome” actually means he is not welcome. In their heart of hearts, the pro-Rawlings group has sworn not to work for the NDC if Kwesi Botchwey carries the day at their congress.
Statesman’s investigation has however shown that Kwesi Botchwey is likely to carry the day. Members of the NDC The Statesman spoke to have alluded to Atta Mills’s lack of shine and lustre as reason he is incapable of leading the NDC to any election victory.
“If Rawlings’ charisma did not win Atta Mills the Presidency in 2000, there is no reason it will ever do”, said one NDC supporter. Kwesi Botchwey is regarded by most NDC supporters as one who will be his own man. That he will not lick the boots of the Rawlingses. He is also a polyglot, an ability that is likely to endear him to the hearts of many Ghanaians.
If indeed Kwesi Botchwey gets the nod of the NDC delegates, the Rawlings camp have sworn not to deal with him. They shall then form another party. In that case, an NDC split is indeed in the offing because observers believes the Obed machinery is too sharp for the Rawlings. – The Statesman
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 September 2002 - Barely three months to its 6th delegates national congress to elect a flag-bearer to contest the 2004 Presidential elections, the Ghanaian Chronicle has established that the Council of Elders of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is bearing its teeth at likely conflicts to hit the party as a result of the stiff contest expected and are putting measures in place to forestall a bitter rivalry.
Among the measures are plans to keep the outspoken founder, Dr J.J Rawlings, and political rival, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah mute over their preference of a presidential candidate.
This reporter can confirm that fear of having confusion and rank and file of the party on its hands leading to serious mudslinging, the Council of Elders of thee NDC has resolved to haul anyone, be it the founder or chairman before its disciplinary committee, if the person openly declarers support for a presidential candidate.
Baba Jamal, deputy General Secretary of the NDC, confirmed the decision to haul anyone who violates the directive before the committee in an interview on Tuesday morning but said it was not aimed at any particular people.
Chronicle sources at the party headquarters, however, told this reporter late on Tuesday afternoon that the decision was taken to keep Rawlings and Dr. Asamoah mute over their choice of a presidential candidate because their utterances on such issues undermine democracy within the party.
According to the source, even though it is clear Rawlings supports former Vice President Mills and Dr. Asamoah kicking against his candidature, it is in the party's interest that they desist from further comment so as to discourage others from the same act. The source added that any other executive member who violates the rule would also face disciplinary action to be taken against the would-be culprit.
Jamal in Tuesday's interview was, however, optimistic that all executives and members alike would abide by the new directive. On eligibility of candidates for the presidential slot, Baba Jamal said, the person must be citizen of Ghana and a card bearing and paid-up member of the NDC. He said the aspirant must also be a known active member of the party for at least four years, adding there is a committee that would vet all candidates.
When asked on the eligibility of Dr. Kwesi Botchwey who had already declared his intention to contest, he said Dr. Botchwey is a member of the party, so he expects him to have a party card and pay his dues regularly. He, however, said all these details are not available at the headquarters but would be traced at the branch or constituency level when the individual files his nomination.
Quizzed as to how the Council of Elders is handling the apparent factions being created by the Dr. Asamoah and Rawlings factors, the deputy General Secretary dismissed the suggestion that factions existed in the NDC, stressing that having divergent opinions does not mean factionalism.
He said the national executive members do meet at all times and those perceived by the media to be involved in factions sit around the table to take common decisions, adding it would be wrong for anyone to imagine factionalism within the party. He intoned that even at national executive meetings, divergent opinions arise but only one decision is finally taken, stating, What's happening in the NDC is good for internal democracy within the party'.
When asked to comment on the likely conflict Dr. Asamoah's ambition to bring on board such old guards as Captain Kojo Tsikata and the Reform boys, some of whom do not see eye-to-eye with ex-President Rawlings would cause, bearing in mind they would have to work with the founder in the interest of the party, Baba Jamal said, "They are welcome, provided they come with good intentions, Rawlings will work with them in the interest of the NDC".
When reminded that in the event of Professor Attah-Mills victory at the congress, thereby becoming the leader as mandated by the NDC constitution, ex-President Rawlings could have unlimited powers in the party, since the former Vice President had promised consulting him 24 hours a day, he said, consulting someone does not mean taking all his advice. "President Kufuor consults with the national Council of Elders but that does not mean he takes all their advice", the gentle-speaking deputy general secretary of the NDC said. - Ghanaian Chronicle
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 September 2002 - More than 100 people turned out at the Independence Arch in Accra on Tuesday to file statements at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC). However, the commission took statements from 37 complainants as at close of work on Tuesday. The slow pace of recording statements was explained by the fact that it took on the average about 90 minutes to attend to a complainant.
Indeed, it took the commission about 4 hours to record a statement from a complainant. The compilation of statements marks the commencement of the reconciliation process. The first person, said to be a victim of the 1966 coup d'etat reported as early as 5:30a.m. and had to wait until 8.30 a.m. before going through the formalities.
The Executive Secretary of the NRC, Dr. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, said when he arrived in the office at 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the complainant was there and the security officers confirmed this. Under the arrangements, complainants are required to register first before their statements are taken. The statements will then be referred to the NRC's investigators for their action after which they will be referred to the NRC's legal advisers before submitted to the commission.
The commission will then determine whether hearing will commence. According to him, work on the chamber of the Old Parliament House, where the public hearing will take place, has just begun and expressed the hope that it will be ready in a month's time. He said the commencement of the public hearing is also contingent on the completion of the investigations into the various reports.
Mr Amua-Sekyi said the commission's zonal offices have also started work and said reports reaching him from Kumasi indicated that 23 people had filed their statements as at noon. He described the response as very encouraging and appealed to members of the public who have complaints or information about any human rights violations within the period to lodge such reports early.
He said this is necessary to give the commission enough time to investigate such reports to facilitate its work. The chairman said as a result of the problem of inadequate office accommodation, the commission has decided to work from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m each day.
Mr Amua-Sekyi said the commission has received an initial amount of $87,000 which enabled it to recruit staff and procure vehicles and other essential equipment to set up a secretariat.
The commission is expected to hear complaints of all those who have suffered any injury, hurt or damage or people who have been adversely affected by violations and abuses of human rights during the period under review.
The period under review, as defined by Act 611, which set up the NRC, are 24 February, 1969, 13 January, 1972 to 23 September 1979 and 31 December, 1981 to 6 January, 1993. Furthermore, people desirous of lodging complaints or petitions in respect of violations or abuses of human rights outside those periods of unconstitutional governments and between 6 March, 1957 and 6 January, 1993, are encouraged to lodge such complaints and petitions with the commission.
The commission is expected to hold both public and private hearings for a period not exceeding one year from the date of its first hearing except that for a good cause shown by the commission, the President may be Executive Instrument, extend the term of the commission for a further period of six months. At the end of its work, the commission shall within three months, submit its final report to the President. - Daily Graphic
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Ashanti CPP condemns splinter groups
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 04 September 2002 - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has expressed concern about the emergence of various groups on its front that are making statements inconsistent with the party’s position. In a statement issued in Kumasi and signed by Mr O.T. Bonsu, the Regional Chairman said the situation is of great concern to various level of the party including the rank and file.
The statement said that the party is concerned about the fact that the national chairman of the CPP, Dr Abubakar, is said to be the founder of one of the groups going by the name Parliamentary Action Group (PAG). The statement said this creates the impression that the national chairman of the CPP is behind the statements being made by the PAG. It expressed the hope of Ashanti CPP that the impression created is not true; stressing that if it is true that the national chairman is privy to those statements, then where lays the propriety of his leadership?
The statement noted that, consistent with democracy, the Ashanti Regional Branch of the CPP has no quarrel with any individuals of the party standing alone or coming together to pursue any particular course of action of national importance, provided that the Central Committee is first given the opportunity to consider that action and its effect on the party.
It stressed that as a body made up of representatives from all the regions, it would seem effective if issues concerning the party are referred to representatives from the regions and from there to the national level.
Such a procedure, the statement said, enhances regional consultations but expressed the regret that this procedure has not been followed in this case. The regional branch of the CPP noted that the public acrimony emanating from individuals and party officials against each other is rather damaging the party from its main focus, which is reshaping its ideology and dynamically programming its activities.
The statement said it is unacceptable for a few people who sit in Accra to jeopardise the party's activities. It said whilst recognising the need for good leadership, it must be stressed that this can only be effective when it is made collective and when leadership recognises that the real base of the party is in the constituencies.
The statement called on the regional executives to show concern about the trend of affairs in the party and meet to consider these pertinent issues and take firm decisions on them. It also called for an immediate meeting of the National Executive Committee to consider, among other things, the convening of a national delegates congress before the end of the year. - Daily Graphic
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Chloroquine still effective for malaria
treatment
Accra (Greater Accra) 04 September 2002 - The Malaria Control Programme of the Ghana Health Service has stated that chloroquine still remains the first choice drug for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in the country. It dispelled the misconception that chroloquine is no longer effective in the management of uncomplicated malaria adding that it is looking into the future and preparing itself to change the policy when the need arises.
This was contained in a press release signed by Dr. G. K. Amofah, the Director of Public Health and issued in Accra on Tuesday. The release said the effectiveness of chloroquine in the treatment of malaria has been a matter of concern in practically all malaria endemic countries in times past and at present.
It said factors responsible for this include poor treatment practices and resistance of the malaria parasite to chloroquine. It said a workshop was organised by the Malaria Control Programme of the Ghana Health Service and the Roll Back Malaria Co-ordinating Committee in Accra from 27 to 29 August, 2002 to review the national anti-malaria drug policy in view of available data on the effectiveness of chloroquine in treating malaria in Ghana.
The release said chloroquine has been the main drug for the treatment of malaria in Ghana for decades and has proved very effective. It said since 1986, when resistance of the malaria parasite to chloroquine was first reported in Ghana, several studies have been conducted to monitor the effectiveness of the drug in treating malaria. It said resistance has remained very low for several years till now.
The release said through a collaborative effort between the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Ministry of Health in 1998, sentinel sites were set up in several districts across the country to continuously monitor the effectiveness of the drug. It said the data from these site currently show that resistance has risen to the level where clinical cure with chloroquine occurs in about three out of four cases.
This means that approximately one out of four or five malaria patients who are treated with chloroquine might not respond to treatment and would require another anti-malaria drug. He said "Malaria experts agree that this level of effectiveness indicates a need to start planning towards a suitable alternative to chloroquine as the drug of choice," pointing out that "although chloroquine is still effective, it is obvious that the time has come for us to start looking at what our next first line drug should be."
The release said since resistance develops slowly over time, "we still have a grace period during which to develop and implement a new drug policy for the treatment of malaria." It said though there are several possible alternatives to chloroquine as the first line drug for the treatment of malaria in Ghana, each option has advantages and disadvantages.
"There is, therefore, the need to carefully think through the process of deciding what to do with chloroquine or any other malaria drug that might be considered as first line for the treatment of the disease," the release said adding that "we need to start doing this now that we still have some time rather than wait for higher levels of chloroquine resistance to develop.
It said the process of examining the effectiveness of the alternative drugs available as well as the economic and social implications of choosing another option has been initiated and indicated that it takes time to properly plan this change in the treatment policy.
The release said, at the end of the workshop, a special task force of experts in malaria was set up to plan the process towards a review of the current malaria drug policy. "It is expected that within the next 18 months we would, as a country, have made well thought out decisions as to what the best options for malaria treatment are. We would then be able to institute the necessary of the new policy," it said. - Daily Graphic
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$70 ADB grants to finance development
projects
Accra (Greater Accra) 04 September 2002 – The African Development Bank (ADB) is to provide Ghana with grants to the tune of over $70 million to finance development projects over the country in the next three years. Sectors to receive support include agriculture and social services as well as health and education. The Vice-President of the ADB, Mr Bisi Ogunjubi, stated this at a press briefing in Accra. This was after the meeting with the Economic Management Team at the Castle, Osu.
He said the bank’s intervention is envisaged to strengthen the foundation for sustainable development as well as create an enabling environment for the development of the private sector through the socio-economic infrastructural development.
Mr Ogunjubi indicated that the bank has 21 on-going projects in the country, stressing that the ADB has invested $356million in the projects. He maintained some of the projects as the renovation of the Kibi Government Hospital in the Eastern Region, the rehabilitation of the Tema-Aflao road with an approved loan of $17million ad the establishment of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) Girls Vocational Training Centre in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro area.
Mr Ogunjubi also stated that the bank approved an amount of $9million last July to support the management of the country’s forest resources at the community level. He said the ADB and the Ghana have been very close partners and emphasised the bank’s commitment to help the government implement its poverty reduction strategies, which he described as “well thought of”.
On the performance of the government so far, Mr Ogunjubi said it has done well in the past one year. He said the performance of the macro economic indicators attest to this, adding that inflation had been brought down and budget deficit controlled while measures have been instituted to control corruption.
Mr Ogunjubi, however, said this is not to say that there
were no difficulties, adding that operations in the international market have
impacted on the economy. The Ministry of Finance, Mr Yaw Osafo-Marfo, said the
ADB Vice President has visited the Kibi Hospital, which have been renovated by
the bank and donated an ambulance and motorcycles to the hospital. He also
addressed a workshop and visited the Girls Vocational Training Centre and
interacted with the Economic Management Team.- Daily Graphic
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 04 September 2002 – A Kumasi based veteran politician and lawyer, Mr F.A. Jantuah, has called for the re-definition of the offence of contempt of court, to prevent judges from hiding behind it to engage in corrupt practices. He said there had been instances where there were clear indications of a party in a case of having influenced judgement but nobody could raise a finger for the fear of being contempt of court.
Mr Jantuah was contributing to a public forum held on Monday on perceived corruption and other allegations of malpractices within the judicial system. The forum was organised by the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Judiciary, in collaboration with the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, a non-governmental organisation, with the aim of promoting democracy.
It was sponsored by the United States of Agency for International Development (USAID). Participants included lawyers, magistrates, and traditional leaders, heads of departments, police and members of the public. It was aimed at collating views of civil society and relevant agencies on how best to have a vibrant judiciary to consolidate democracy.
Mr Jantuah said that the concept of contempt of court was aiding judges in passing arbitrary sentences and judgement on people. “There is the need to enumerate what constitute contempt of court for all and sundry to be abreast with”, he added. Another contributor, Mr Asante Kobiah, a lawyer said that almost everybody within the Judicial Service was aware of corruption.
He observed that the registry department should be made to supervise the activities of various courts well. He explained that “corruption in the judicial service mostly start with from the registry where there is total lack of supervision of affairs.” Almost all the speakers held similar views that corruption within the sector was widespread and should not be limited to judges alone. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr S.K. Boafo, in his welcome address, said the government was committed to ensuring the rule of law and would strengthen the Judicial Service.- The Ghanaian Times
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$600million trade deficit recorded…in 2000
Accra (Greater Accra) 04 September 2002 – Ghana in 2000 exported goods worth 1.6billion dollars while it imported goods worth 2.2billion, showing a trade deficit of 600 million dollars. Mr Yaw Asafo-Marfo, Minister of Finance gave these figures at the opening of a six-day international workshop on planning improved performance for Africa’s small and medium enterprises exports in Accra.
The workshop is being jointly organised by the National Investment Bank (NIB) and the Association of African Development Finance Institutions, a continental body to which development financial institutions belong.
It is the first in the series of aims at bringing together 30 participants I the export industry to enable them acquire entrepreneurial and planning skills and to exchange ideas concerning export logistics and funding. He attributed Ghana’s low export performance to the fact that most of the small and medium enterprises were under performance.
“If you look at the structure of one economy, almost all the export revenues are generated from primary sources, which means that the contribution of the SMEs are marginal”, he said. Mr Osafo-Marfo said that the success stories of all developed economies and emerging economies attest to the fact that SMEs drive economic growth export performance and generate employment.
He about 60 to 80 percent of employment outside the government sector is attributable to SMEs and they also contribute about 40 to 60 per cent to export in most countries. He noted that in order to put dynamism into SMEs, there should be the spirit of entrepreneurship inculcated into Ghanaians. The Minister said currently, there is a new breed of young Ghanaians desirous of becoming entrepreneurs who must be encouraged.
He explained that Ghana needs a new breed of an entrepreneur who is self-confident, multi-skilled, innovative, result-oriented and a risk-taker who enjoys hard work and is totally committed to the business and has a single-mindedness of purpose.
Mr Osafo-Marfo said it is essential to establish facilitating institutions like an export promotion agency not only to offer training, advice and counselling on trade related issues, but also help build capacity for exporter through knowledge dissemination on markets, ISO 9,000 certification, product labelling and other requirements.
Mr Bisi Ogunjubi, Vice President of African Development Bank (ADB) noted that because of the perception the SMEs are risky; there are few financial support systems for them. He suggested that to rectify the problems, banks should like credit programmes to saving scheme. Mr Ogunjubi said, for SMEs to withstand the intense global market competition, SMEs have to network and build alliances.
He urged African governments to direct their support to SMEs to improving their internal efficiencies. Mr Daniel C. Gyimah, Managing Director, NIB said that development finance institutions are very important because of the specific roles they play in the economy.
In this regard, he urged government not to yield to pressures to dispose off the development financial institutions in the country. He also appealed to the ADB to help NIB to upgrade the facilities in its training school. - The Ghanaian Times
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 04 September 2002 - Splendid and magnificent, were the exact words used by the expatriate coach Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Ian Porterfield to describe their victory over Ghazel EL Mahala of Egypt in their first leg quarter final match played at the Kumasi Stadium last Sunday.
For the fans, it was a day of ‘wahala’ for the Egyptians, the manner their idol club, Kotoko handled their opponent. To coach Ian Porterfield, the victory was not achieved on a silver platter, but one that was well orchestrated through hard training over period of time since he assumed duty as head of the technical bench a few months ago.
In a post match interview, the coach, who was in high spirits commended his players for their feat and assured that, no matter the opposition or intimidation by the Egyptians in the second leg, Kotoko would sail through to the semi-finals as a way to prove his competence to some critics who doubt his capabilities.
He said the victory of Kotoko at this point is very significant, in that it has boosted the morale of his players for further achievement in the future. Debunking claims that he has not done enough since he assumed duty, coach Porterfield said such remarks are uncalled for, because, he has a high profile as a competent coach and has been in the saddle of affairs for well renowned clubs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
He said records in Ghana indicate that since he assumed duty, he has played 20 games, won 17, drew two and lost only one match. “This is an achievement that cannot be regarded as a fluke and instead of people praising the boys to boot their confidence, they speak ill of them and criticise blindly and this goes a long way to dampen their spirits”, he lamented.
He said since he took over, he has been working very seriously especially on set pieces and that I yielding positive result for Kumasi Asante Kotoko. “Last week in a league match against Accra Great Olympics, Godwin Ablordey beautifully converted one of the set pieces beautifully to win the game for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, and today, Stephen Odouro also made a mark by scoring another beautiful set piece to open the scores for Kotoko”, he stressed.
He said last Sunday’s game was very dear to him “because it seems the boys played the game specifically for me, they did not know where it was coming from,” adding “it was very unique and their efforts yielded positive results”.
On why Kotoko failed to score early goal in spite of their incessant attack, Coach Porterfield said their opponents resorted to close marking and defensive tactics, making it very difficult for Kotoko to play their normal game.
“What is important is that we have been able to achieve our aim and we are not going to rest until we dismisses the Egyptians and move to the next stage of the competition”, he assured, adding that any negative comment by our detractors destroy the confidence of the boys and it is my hope that they will eschew such things”.
When asked to comment whether Kotoko will be able to capture the African Cup Winners Cup this year, he said, “we are taking one match at a time and it is our conviction and hope that by the end of the year, we will be able to bring the smiles to our numerous supporters”.
He commended the fans for their continuous support and urged them to pray for the players to enable them bring the lost glory to the Kotoko family. On officiating, Mr Porterfield said he had no problem with the match officials and described the officials as perfect.
On his part Stephen Oduro attributed their victory to hard work. “We expected that our opponents will resort to defensive tactics so we piled pressure on them to pin them to their half all the time and this paid dividends”, he explained.
On his first goal, he said “when I was asked by my colleagues to take the kick, I was very confident that I will score because we have been working very hard on some of these set pieces of late”.
The midfield dynamo assured that they are sure to qualify to the next stage of the competition” because we have now realised that we can match the Egyptians boot for boot so our supporters should rest assured.
The Skipper of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Godwin Ablordey also assured that there is no way that Kotoko will fail to advance to the next stage of the competition. He said some fans are losing hope in the club because of some recent set backs,” but what they should realise is that that international matches are different ball games and with hard work and determination, we are going to win”. – Graphic Sports
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