Merkel's Africa tour arrives in Ghana as migration a concern

August 30, 2018

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Ghana on Thursday during a three-nation West Africa visit aimed at boosting investment in a region that is a major source of migrants heading toward Europe.

"I firmly believe that there can only be a prosperous European Union if we can deal with the issues of migration and the issues of partnership with Africa," the leader of Europe's largest economy said after emerging from talks with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Merkel is traveling with nearly a dozen German CEOs to help promote business ties. A memorandum of understanding was signed for Volkswagen South Africa to build an assembly plant in Ghana. The German leader first stopped in Senegal, another of Africa's fastest-growing economies, and will continue on to Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and one of the world's top oil producers.

Migrant arrivals in Europe across the Mediterranean from Africa and Turkey are at their lowest level in five years but the issue remains sensitive. Merkel, who refused to close Germany's borders at the height of the migrant crisis in 2015, has toughened her stance recently to salvage her government from a rift over the issue.

Some in Europe hope that investing more in West Africa will help keep people in a region plagued with unemployment, dodgy infrastructure, rising extremism and now the effects of climate change from leaving.

Ghana's president noted that migrants who are illegally in Germany would like to remain there given the chance. While it's up to the German government to solve the problem "we must address the issue of the illegal migrants in a mutually agreed manner," he said.

Akufo-Addo also made a pitch for further investment, saying that "the stronger we are the better it is for our youth to stay." Senegal and Ghana are two of Africa's most stable countries. Both have signed on to the Compact with Africa initiative to promote private investment that Germany launched last year during its presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations.

Nigeria, West Africa's regional power, is plagued by widespread corruption and security threats that include Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked extremists in the north, violent clashes between herders and farmers in the central region and oil militants in the south.

A number of world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and, this week, British Prime Minister Theresa May have visited West Africa in recent months with some combination of business, security and migration in mind.

The international community has interest not only in sub-Saharan Africa's growing economic potential but also in its booming population, which is expected to double by 2050.

New Ghana president's speech copies US inaugural addresses

January 10, 2017

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana's new president is facing criticism after passages in his inauguration speech appeared to be lifted from speeches given by American leaders, an embarrassment for a country that long has been praised as one of Africa's strongest democracies.

President Nana Akufo-Addo took the oath of office Saturday after he won election on his third bid for the presidency. One line in his speech is nearly identical to a phrase used by former President Bill Clinton in his 1993 inaugural address. Another phrase in Akufo-Addo's speech is almost the same as one in the inaugural speech given by former President George W. Bush in 2001.

The Ghanaian presidency refused to comment Tuesday on the similarities that went viral on social media after the inauguration. Akufo-Addo's speech contained the following phrase: "Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths. Ghanaians have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people. And we must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us."

In 1993, Clinton said: "Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths. And Americans have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people. We must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us."

Akufo-Addo's speech also contained this phrase: "I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building your communities and our nation." At his 2001 inauguration, Bush said: "I ask you to be citizens: Citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building communities of service and a nation of character."

The 72-year-old Akufo-Addo was declared winner of the Dec. 7 election after defeating incumbent John Dramani Mahama.

Ghana's new president sworn into office

08 January 2017 Sunday

The leader of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akuffo Addo, took the oath of office as Ghana’s new president Saturday, marking the beginning of his first four-year term after defeating ex-President John Mahama at the polls last December.

Following an inauguration ceremony at the Independence Square in the capital, Accra, Akuffo Addo promised economic transformation and ending corruption.

"I shall protect the public purse by insisting on value for money in all transactions," he said in reference to his election promise of fighting corruption.

The veteran politician, who also campaigned on tax cuts, said taxes would be reduced "to recover the momentum of our economy".

"We will rekindle the spirit that made Ghana the leading light of Africa," the new president said.

The 72-year-old lawyer becomes the fifth president since the West African state returned to constitutional rule in 1992.

About a dozen African leaders, including African Union chair and president of Chad, Idriss Deby, Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari, Ivory Coast President Alhassane Ouattara and Gabon’s President Ali Bongo were in attendance.

Saturday's ceremony was also attended by all three former presidents of Ghana, John Rawlings, John Kufuor, and Mahama as well as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

All 275 members of parliament were also sworn into office for the next four years.

This is the third time Ghana has witnessed a violence-free change of government from one political party to another.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/182825/ghanas-new-president-sworn-into-office.

Ghana's new president, vice president peacefully sworn in

January 07, 2017

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana's newly elected President Nana Akufo-Addo was sworn into office Saturday in a peaceful handoff of power that stood out in a region facing political crises. Thousands of people gathered in Accra's Independence Square, dressed in the red, blue and white colors of the New Patriotic Party, to witness the swearing in of Akufo-Addo as president and Mahamudu Bawumia as vice president.

"My government will provide the vision and shine the light for farmers and entrepreneurs to thrive in the country," Akufo-Addo said at the ceremony, promising an improved economy under his leadership.

Akufo-Addo, 72, a former attorney general and foreign minister, won the Dec. 7 election on his third run for Ghana's highest office, defeating incumbent John Dramani Mahama with the largest margin of victory for a presidential candidate since 1996.

The race was largely seen as a referendum on how the incumbent party had managed the economy in the long-stable democracy. The new president said Ghana had no excuses for remaining impoverished 60 years after gaining independence from Britain.

He also provided assurance that the country would deepen its commitment to democracy, noting his peaceful assumption of power was an important step. Ghana stands as a democratic model in West Africa, a region historically plagued by coups and strongman rule. The country has seen peaceful presidential transitions during every change of government since the country moved from military to democratic rule in 1992.

Leaders of other African countries attended Akufo-Addo's swearing-in ceremony. Those from the West African regional bloc also met to discuss the political crisis in Gambia. Gambia's longtime ruler, Yahya Jammeh, has called the vote that pushed him from power not credible, raising worries he will not step down on Jan. 19.

Ghana TV: President concedes defeat to opposition leader

December 10, 2016

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana's longtime opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo won the presidency late Friday on his third run for the office, a race that was largely seen as a referendum on how the incumbent party had managed the economy in this long stable democracy.

The country's election commission said Akufo-Addo received 53.8 percent of the vote, compared to 44.4 percent for President John Dramani Mahama. It was the largest margin of victory by a presidential candidate since 1996, upending pre-election predictions that the race would be neck and neck.

After the announcement, thousands of Akufo-Addo's supporters converged on his residence in the capital of Accra to celebrate and listen to the president-elect deliver his victory speech. "There's never been a more humbling moment in my life," Akufo-Addo said. "I make this solemn pledge to you tonight: I will not let you down. I will do everything in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations."

Akufo-Addo went on to commend Ghanaians for the "mature, peaceful and orderly manner" in which they exercised their right to vote. "The democratic credentials of our nation have been further enhanced by your conduct," he added, addressing Ghanaians.

Mahama's concession solidifies Ghana's status as a model of democracy in West Africa, a region historically plagued by coups and strongman rule. Ghana has experienced a peaceful transition of power every time there has been a change in government since the country moved to democratic rule in 1992.

Sandra Kwakye, a 38-year-old businesswoman in Accra, told The Associated Press that she is hopeful for the future now that there has been a change in government. "I'm so happy and grateful because we've all been facing hardships for a long time, but we know now that we will have a good president," she said. "(Akufo-Addo) will make everything better for us. That's what he promised."

Mahama called Akufo-Addo to concede defeat shortly before the commission's announcement. He also delivered a concession speech in which he congratulated Akufo-Addo and promised to remain committed to the unity and stability of the country.

"I want to assure the people of Ghana of my commitment to the sustenance of our country's democracy and would work to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition for the incoming administration. As president, I've done my bit," Mahama said as party supporters surrounded him.

It took almost 72 hours for the commission to declare a winner, leaving many Ghanaians skeptical about the delay and impatient for a verdict...

Ghanaians protest power cuts; hope govt will listen

17 May 2015 Sunday

Thousands of people, including celebrities, on Saturday staged a march in Ghanaian capital Accra against repeated electrical power cuts across the country.

The march, which included a candlelight vigil, was organized by several Ghanaian celebrities.

Carrying candles and lanterns, march participants walked for almost two hours.

Some participants also carried fire pots and other objects to demonstrate their anger at repeated power outages in the country's houses and workplaces.

March participants included students; business owners; teachers, and politicians.

"The people of Ghana deserve to have electricity in their homes," D-Black, a Ghanaian musician, told Anadolu Agency during the event.

"We pay our tax and our bills," he added.

He said the government always failed to honor its promises when it came to supplying Ghanaians with electrical power.

He said he and other march participants were out to speak for Ghanaians whose voice could not be heard.

"I hope we will have explanation from the government as to why this is happening," D-Black said.

Loud music, which characterized protests in Ghana's streets, could not be played on Saturday because of a ban in respect for Ga people, one of Ghana's ethnic groups.

The Ga Traditional Council had earlier called on march organizers to postpone Saturday's event until the ban is lifted next month.

"I am a student and I need to study for my exams, but I don't have electricity to do so," Kwame Ahenkora, a march participant, said.

He even called on the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, to leave.

Another march participant was Kwame Karikari, a university professor, who said electricity cuts had a negative impact on his work.

"I can't do power point presentations or any technology in my class" he said.

"I can't use my computer as I would want to," he added, noting that power outages sometimes forced him to cancel out his classes.

Addressing the crowd, Ghanaian actor, Yvonne Nelson, expressed hopes that the government would listen.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/159258/ghanaians-protest-power-cuts-hope-govt-will-listen.

Ghanaians embark on nationwide cleanup exercise

07 December 2014 Sunday

Thousands of Ghanaians on Saturday participated in a government-sponsored national cleanup exercise.

Known as the "National Sanitation Day", the event aims to inculcate in Ghanaians the spirit of cleanliness.

All across the ten regions of the country, people helped clean communities, streets and other public places.

Holding rakes, brooms and wheel barrows, participants scrubbed and swept. They cleared choked gutters and open drains that line most of Ghana's streets.

In doing this, participants were responding to an invitation by the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development for Ghana's population of 25 million to help rid their country of "the filth engulfing it."

The cleanup takes place on the first Saturday of every month. The day was selected because it is the beginning of the weekend in Ghana.

Traders are required to leave their shops closed until the three to four-hour exercise comes to an end.

"My sisters and I woke up early in the morning and cleaned the whole house before coming out to help on the streets," Maame Sarfo, a resident of Old Fadama, a suburb of Accra, told The Anadolu Agency.

"I think it is a good thing because the rubbish is generated by us so there is nothing wrong with spending only one day out of the whole month to clear it," she added.

Bismarck Mensah, another campaign participant from the central Accra Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said he was simply obeying rules.\

“I have a shop," Mensah said. "They [the authorities] say I should not open until we finish cleaning, which means that I don't have a choice," he added.

Next to Godliness

A third participant believed that the cleanup campaign was an application of religious texts.

"Cleanliness, they say, is next to Godliness," 25-year-old Ewurabena said outside her house in Abelenkpe, a district of the Greater Accra Region.

"That is what the scripture says so I see nothing wrong with coming out with my neighbors to clean. What is the point in wearing a neat dress and living in a dirty environment," she asked.

At the Kaneshie Market, a trading center in Accra, traders, mostly women, used long brooms to clean.

Other people used short brooms to sweep the drains running through the market.

Asabea, a vegetable seller, said the cleanup campaign was good for her.

"I don’t like it when flies settle on my vegetables," the seller said. "I know they spread cholera and I get worried. If we clean the area, it is better for us," she added.

Her colleague who sells banku and soup (a rustic, traditional preparation common to Ghana and containing eggplant, okra and cassava-based dumplings) ordered all her workers to come an hour earlier so that they could finish work in time before cooking for the day.

Collaboration

Local sanitation companies, including Zoomlion and Jekora Ventures, deployed personnel to various parts of the country to assist with the exercise.

The Environmental Service Providers Association, an association of waste-management companies, had instructed its 27 members to fully participate in the campaign and provide the equipment needed.

Association Executive Secretary, Ama Ofori Antwi, said she was impressed by the event, but expressed disquiet about the attitude of some people during it.

Antwi told AA that some people had deliberately packed refuse in their homes only to bring it out on the National Sanitation Day to take advantage of the free refuse collection offered by waste-management companies.

"When the truck arrived, they started bringing out the refuse and dumping it inside," Antwi said.

"We were going to collect the waste gathered today, but we saw people come out with borla (rubbish) from their houses. People do not want to pay for such services," she added.

District assemblies across Ghana coordinated the campaign and provided the needed tools.

"Many people participated and it [the campaign] was very successful," Simpson Anim Boateng, the public health director in Accra, the capital of Ghana, said. "It will surely help prevent the cholera disease which has troubled us for the past months," he added.

He said he went around with his team to ensure that everybody participated, noting that he had to force some shoppers who were reluctant to participate to close down.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama took part in the exercise in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.

Other senior government officials and ministers also took part in the event.

Even with this, Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Julius Debrah, the national coordinator of the campaign, was disappointed that not so many people showed up for the exercise.

"Some of the elites in this country don’t even see the need for the exercise," Debrah told AA.

"So people have their rights, but we will make the efforts and hope that people will join the campaign," he added.

He said he could not enter everybody's home and force them to join the campaign.

He added, however, that his ministry would continue to organize the exercise every month, despite challenges in mobilizing the public to participate.

"We would have loved that by the end of the first quarter of next year, we have a good country to show," the minister said.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/150067/ghanaians-embark-on-nationwide-cleanup-exercise.

Ghana's Growing Economy Fails to Create Jobs

By Billie McTernan

ACCRA, Sep 19 2013 (IPS) - Ghana’s economy registered 7.1 percent growth last year but 23-year-old Jennifer Esi Avemee has had difficulty securing a permanent job since graduating in 2011. “It’s very stressful,” she laments. “It’s very hard to sustain yourself.”

Avemee studied public relations at the Ghanaian Institute of Journalism and had hoped to secure a job in the field after completing her national service at the Ghanaian Tourism Board in 2012. In previous years it was not uncommon for graduates to be kept on at the institution where they did their service.

However, in 2008 the International Monetary Fund advised the Ghanaian government to put a freeze on public sector recruitment – except in the areas of health and education – to curb the public sector wage bill, putting a strain on school-leavers and graduates looking for work. The freeze lasted two years and ended in 2011.

Avemee tells IPS that the situation has become so dire that some of her counterparts have taken to prostitution and “sakawa”, internet fraud.

Data and statistics on employment in Ghana is sparse.

In 2012 then minister of employment and social welfare Moses Asaga admitted that the government had no up-to-date or reliable data on the labor market.

Information available from the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana in Legon suggests that approximately 250,000 young people enter the job market annually of which two percent, or about 5,000, find employment in the formal sector.

According to research being carried out by the ISSER, 23 percent of youth aged between 15 and 24 and 28.8 percent of graduates between the ages of 25 and 35 wait two years or more before they are employed.

Dr William Baah-Boateng, one of the researchers of the ISSER study, says that over the last 20 years Ghana’s growth has averaged 5.1 percent, and this has not been reflected in an increase in employment.

According to the African Development Bank, this West African nation registered 7.1 percent growth in 2012, thanks to revenue from oil production, the services sector and export of gold and cocoa. This was a drop from the 14.4 percent growth registered in 2011, which was attributed to the start-up of oil production here.

A further report by the International Labor Organization says that the public sector accounts for six percent of employment in Ghana, and that of the informal private sector stands at 86 percent.

“You can’t manage what you can’t control,” 30-year-old Edward Tagoe, co-founder of the software company Nandimobile tells IPS.

Tagoe himself graduated in 2007 from the University of Ghana and started Nandimobile in 2010 having run a small business whilst studying. After university Tagoe completed a two-year entrepreneurship training program at Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, a not-for-profit organization in Accra that helps to train and mentor budding Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

“I suppose I fall into the category of people [graduates] that took matters into their own hands,” he laughs.

When young people leave school or university it is likely that they have not had any kind of formal work experience.

“We don’t really have an internship [or] part-time work culture here,” says Tagoe.

For Avemee finding a job has been trying not least because many positions require five years experience, which she does not have.

Gameli Adhazo, 27, who after graduating wanted to further his studies but needed money to fund it, found himself in a similar situation.

“When I graduated in 2007 I was interested in going into health research, but with just the first degree you don’t usually get that opportunity or you would need some years of work experience…so there was a catch 22,” he tells IPS.

Adhazo has since been able to find a job as a science teacher at Keta High School in the Volta Region. In August he won a scholarship to study for an MSc in Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter as part of a joint initiative by Tullow Oil and the British Council in Ghana. The program awards 50 young Ghanaians scholarships to study in the United Kingdom with the aim to develop a good human resource base for the oil industry and other areas of development in Ghana.

In 2006 Ghana’s previous government, the National Patriotic Party, set up the National Youth Employment Program in a bid to boost employment opportunities for young people. The program was rebranded in 2012 by the current government, the National Democratic Congress, as the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).

GYEEDA’s reputation came into disrepute when an August report monitoring its progress revealed that funds allocated to youth job creation had been misappropriated.

During a state visit to Benin earlier this month, Ghanaian President John Mahama admitted that GYEEDA had not carried out its duties as effectively as it should.

“There have been a few problems, loopholes that people took advantage off but we are working on that,” he said.

Minister of employment and social welfare Nii Armah Ashietey, Asaga’s replacement following a cabinet reshuffle in April, has since appointed a taskforce to establish a Labor Market Information System to collate usable statistics.

In July, Ashitey urged young people to develop vocational skills and avoid relocating to the cities for white-collar jobs that do not exist. He said 92,000 dollars had been earmarked for skill development programs and that a Graduates Unemployment Support Scheme had been put in place to address issues of unemployment.

Despite such initiatives Avemee is not convinced. “They [the government] just give empty promises,” she says.

Lack of employment has left many young people questioning whether Ghana is the place for them if they want to get their foot on the job ladder.

Avemee has returned to school in the hope that it will give her a better chance when applying for a job and perhaps help her leave the country. “I would like to go to France… in the next five years,” she confesses.

But Adhazo has his sights firmly set on Ghana. “I will return after the year … I’m 100 percent committed to returning back to Ghana.”

Source: Inter-Press Service (IPS).
Link: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/09/ghanas-growing-economy-fails-to-create-jobs/.

Spain beats Ghana 1-0 in Under-20 WCup

June 25, 2013

ISTANBUL (AP) — Spain became the first team to advance to the knockout stages of the Under-20 World Cup, earning a lackluster but welcome 1-0 victory over Ghana on Monday.

The United States boosted its chances of reaching the final 16 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with France after a late strike by Daniel Cuevas. Spain, the tournament favorite, was a shadow of the team that routed the Americans 4-1. It rarely threatened and often appeared unsettled by Ghana's pressing style.

The only real chance for Spain came in the 13th minute when Denis Suarez took a long ball and sent a pass to an unmarked Jese who tapped it in. Ghana had the better chances in the second period but struggled to finish.

A header from Frank Acheapong went wide in the 55th and then Yiadome Boakye spun around and fired his shot just over the goal three minutes later. Ghana's Ebenezer Assifuah was taken down in the area in injury time by defender Israel Puerto but no penalty was called.

"We played a strong physical team and we had a lot of chances," Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said."We scored one goal and dominated the second half. We are very happy to be in the second round." Ghana's Sellas Tetteh praised his players' "brave" effort and blamed the poor finish on his side's inexperience.

It now must beat the United States Thursday in its final group match for any chance of advancing. "You never call it over until it's over," Tetteh said. "That is the game of football. There is nothing that is impossible. We will give it our final shot."

In the earlier match, France looked on pace to win and advance after Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo scored his second goal of the tournament from a penalty kick in the 48th minute. It came after Dimitri Foulquier was sideswiped by America's Javan Torre in the area.

The United States had few chances and failed to convert — the worst when Luis Gil's penalty was easily saved in the 65th. But the Americans grew in confidence toward the end and it paid off in the 85th. Gil made up for his miss, curving a free kick into the area that Cuevas pounced on and scored.

"I feel like they were confused. They couldn't get the ball out and luckily it took a bounce my way and I got to push it in," Cuevas said. The late goal showed the character of the American team, he said.

"Our team is very united and we are always together and pushing forward," Cuevas said. "If things don't go our way, we keep trying and keep trying until they do. Luckily we got the tie." Coach Tab Ramos admitted he was a "little disappointed" with the performance from the Americans early on but happy to come away with a draw.

"My disappointment is that in a game like today we should have gotten all three points," Ramos said. "At the end of the day, it was great courage, effort by our team." The United States now sits third, three behind France for the second automatic qualifying spot. It is unlikely to overtake France due to goal difference but still has a strong shot at one of the four spots for third-placed teams.

France, which could have advanced with a win, failed to repeat the form that beat Ghana 3-1 in its opener. "I don't think we had a great control of the game tonight," France coach Pierre Mankowski said. "It feels a bit strange because the U.S. team was hardly dangerous. But they had situations they should have never had. We conceded a penalty and a free-kick, which led to their goal."

France will be without captain Paul Pogba for their final group match against Spain after a second yellow card in two matches. "The boys were really disappointed at the end of the game," Mankowski said. "Playing without Pogba for the last crucial game against Spain is something we have to figure out tomorrow when things will be quieter."

In the other early match in Group B, Nigeria got its campaign on track with a 3-0 win over newcomer Cuba. Aminu Umar scored twice in four minutes and captain Abdul Ajagun got his third of the tournament as the African team easily beat Cuba.

Nigeria opened the scoring when Olarenwaju Kayodefed fed Umar for the easy tap-in with 19 minutes gone. Four minutes later, Abdullahi Shehu drilled a cross which Umar flicked between his legs for the goal.

The Nigerians completed the route in the 67th when Kingsley Madu's cross was headed home by Ajagun. South Korea twice came from behind to draw with Portugal 2-2 in the other Group B match. With the draw, South Korea and Portugal are level on four points with Nigeria a point behind in third.

Portugal's Aladje opened the scoring with a header before Ryu Seung-Woo drew the Koreans level just before halftime. Sporting Lisbon's Armindo "Bruma" got his third goal of the tournament in the 60th before Kim Hyun drew the Koreans level again in the 76th.

Ghana eyes repeat of 2009 success at U20 World Cup

July 05, 2013

ISTANBUL (AP) — Ghana has narrowly avoided elimination from the Under-20 World Cup twice, and now the 2009 champions believe they can go all the way and win the title again.

Ghana lost its first two group matches but advanced on goal difference last week. The team had to come from 2-1 behind in the closing 10 minutes to defeat Portugal in the first knockout round on Wednesday.

"If God is on our side, history keeps on repeating," striker Frank Acheampong told The Associated Press on Friday. "We have to give thanks to God. (Against Portugal) we were down but we were able to come out with flying colors in the game."

The only African nation still in the tournament, Ghana plays Chile in the last quarterfinal on Sunday. The winner will face France or Uzbekistan for a place in the final. In the other quarterfinals, it's Iraq vs. South Korea and Uruguay vs. Spain.

"The beginning of the tournament was difficult but now we are improving with every match," Acheampong said. "So we think, if it's the will of God we will win this next game." Coach Sellas Tetteh believed the edgy start could ultimately work in Ghana's favor.

"We are the only team among the eight teams that started badly," Tetteh said. "If you see where we've come from and what we've reached, we should be more motivated than the others. " Ghana advanced from what was arguably the toughest group, containing tournament favorite Spain, France and the United States.

"We know we have met difficult teams in our group, and Portugal was one of the best," Tetteh said. "So now we believe any other team we meet, we can beat." Ghana's youth team usually performs well at the World Cup. Apart from winning the title four years ago, it finished runner-up in 1993 and 2001. Ghana reached the semifinals in four of its five previous appearances.

Tetteh led Ghana to the African and the world title in 2009 but left the following year. After a stint as head coach of Ruanda, Tetteh returned just before the African Under-20 Championship earlier this year. Ghana reached the final, losing to Egypt after a penalty shootout.

The winning coach who came back "is a motivation factor for the team," Tetteh said. "The boys are so relieved they have someone who's already done it. So definitely they have confidence in me." In his 21-man squad for Turkey, Tetteh picked just five players from European clubs, including Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium) and Yiadom Boakye (Sassuolo, Italy), who scored the late winner against Portugal.

The team's standout player so far, Ebenezer Assifuah, is still with Liberty Professionals in Ghana. Assifuah scored three times in qualifying and twice in the decisive group match against the United States.

For the national team, Tetteh has always favored talents who are still playing in the domestic league. "They are more willingly, they are hungrier to play," Tetteh said. "You need a team with determination, and that is what they have. That pushes them ... So it's good for the team. And it's good for our development as it encourages local players in the country, too."

One of the foreigners on the team, Acheampong supports his coach's philosophy to mainly rely on locally based players. "When they get the chance to play in this tournament, they bring out all what they have so the whole world can see them," Acheampong said.

Tetteh brought in the five players from abroad to add international experience. "They enhance the local boys," the coach said. "That brings a blending and that keeps us going."

Anti-US protests held in Ghana

Sun Sep 25, 2011

Hundreds of people in Ghana have staged a protest rally against NATO military operations and US involvement in North Africa.

The demonstrators, protesting against the US-led NATO aggression in Libya, started their peaceful march toward the United States embassy in the capital Accra on Saturday, but police confronted them with a prohibition order, blocking the continuation of the demonstrations, the independent website globalresearch.ca, reported.

The protesters, chanting “US, NATO hands off Libya! Hands off Africa,” continued the rally and police arrested 24 people that were later released.

The peaceful march came in defiance of a court order demanding postponement of the demonstration until September 28.

Protest leaders say the action of police shows the extent of US influence over the government in Ghana.

Since March, the United States and NATO have unleashed a punishing United Nations-mandated offensive against the fugitive Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in an alleged attempt to pressure him into giving up power.

Thousands of airstrikes by the alliance have killed many Libyan civilians and revolutionary fighters, who are fighting the government troops.

The development comes as the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya has been given a UN seat.

The African Union also recognized the NTC as the legitimate government of the North African nation last week.

The Libyan revolution began on February 17 and on August 22 Tripoli fell and Gaddafi fled from the capital. The revolutionaries are currently making efforts to capture and secure the last Gaddafi bastions in the country.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/201035.html.

Ghana gold mine incident kills 18

Thu Nov 12, 2009

(PressTV) At least 18 people, including 14 women, have been killed in Ghana's worst mine mishap after the walls of a gold mine in the West African republic collapsed.

Around 30 miners were digging in an illegal gold mine around the western town of Dompoase when the accident occurred, local police authorities said on Thursday.

"This is the biggest mining tragedy that has ever hit Ghana," AFP quoted Western Region police chief Kojo Antwi Tabi as saying.

"The government must take measures to control the activities of miners," he added.

There have been no further details about the incident but police expect more fatalities.

As the second largest producer of gold, Ghana has been pestered by unauthorized mining done in rural areas.