Ghanalinx

Rawlings: NDC Gov’t Taking Away Sense Of Hope

G.O — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:41:30 +0000

Former President, Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, says he does not know the message of hope to deliver to Ghanaians in the 2012 election because of the inability of the NDC government to offer hope to the people.

In a press statement issued Wednesday, he wondered why people see his criticism of President Mills as a personality clash.

Mr Rawlings, who is also the founder of the NDC, has since 2000 endorsed the candidature of president J.E.A Mills.

He was also at the forefront of the NDC campaign trail during the 2008 general elections.

According to Mr Rawlings, “The best hope we could have given the people was to give them back the justice they lost in the previous regime. I have mentioned poor enquiries in the Mobilla and other cases and called for more thorough investigations.”

He further stated that “the sad thing is that when I criticize, they make it a Rawlings versus Mills issue.”

Mr Rawlings made these statements during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of Chiefs, Members of Parliament, Regional Ministers, DCE’s and other identifiable groups from the Upper West Region.

He expressed his gratefulness to the chiefs for sympathizing with his family “over the destruction of our residence by fire,” adding that “what pains me most is the current state of Ghana”.

“I wish I could put you back on the bus and send you to the Castle to ask the President a few questions. I do not know the message of hope he can give the people at the next campaign,” he remarked, saying that what is happening – the state of affairs in the country – is taking away the sense of hope.

He warned the Mills government would be deserted by the rank and file of the party if it does not act appropriately.

The former President said it was imperative that thorough investigations is made into all the shady deals made by the erstwhile NPP government, ensuring that the criminals are prosecuted.

”We need to wake up and let the government know what is going wrong. If we keep quiet we shall regret tomorrow for our silence. We will suffer more pain than we did in the eight years prior to 2009,” the former president insisted, adding that “the NDC derives its strength from a united people; NPP derives its strength from a disunited people,” he added.

Apinke Magazine Boldly Shares The African Experience In Atlanta

G.O — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:56:35 +0000

A Glossy, Informative Resource for the Culturally Inquisitive Mind

Launched January in Atlanta, APINKE Magazine is being embraced by the residents of Atlanta, and a growing nationwide following of people from all African background and others simply interest in Africa the continent. APINKE (pronounced by many as ‘apinkay’) comes from the West African meaning ‘to share and Nurture’. The varied content, neat layout and international contributing experts, is building this magazine to become a fun packed resource educating and entertaining people about the different African nations and culture.

The magazine features a financial column from Robert Kiyosaki, (the best selling financial author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad); It presents eight useful points to know before jumping into the housing market with expert Realtor, Ronke Odugbesan; it showcases Hollywood interview with 24 bad boy, Hakeem Kai-Kazeem (played Dubaku in season 7), and interviews comparable international actors including Omotola J.Ekeinde, Stephanie Okereke and Pascal Atuma, in the aim to highlight issues affecting Nollywood film industry as recently noted on the Opera show.

APINKE Magazine flaunts relationships in a celebration of love and devotion, though its cultural events captured across the globe and presents a ten point guide of loving yourself more, by renowned relationship expert, Michelle M.Hammond.
In addition, a huge amount of research takes the reader to different African destinations in each issue, with the premier issue, placing Ghana in the hot seat, an African destination, chosen as the first country visited by President Obama. It has in a special interview with the Ghanaian Vice President, highlights positive movements by Government and addresses some pressing topics affecting the country. Get a crash course in Twi (one of the main languages spoken in Ghana) and be inspired with the mouthwatering recipes on offer.
The experience and passion of the Editor and Publisher, Veronica Oladeji are marked in the rapid growth and sharing of this tool across the nation. After moving to the US from London(UK), less than 8 months ago, and not deterred by the 10% unemployment rate, she has quickly created her own opportunity and is building what she plans to be a channel of enlightenment as APINKE shares the African experience one issue at a time.
The next issue is in process, and the Editor and her team plan to indulge New York readers with a huge celebration, shortly.

Congrats To Ameyaw Debrah Appointed As Coptic’s Manager For Ghana/Africa

G.O — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:32:28 +0000

Ghanaian celebrity/showbiz reporter and publicist, Ameyaw Debrah has taken up a new job of managing Billboard topping music producer, Eric Kwabena ‘Coptic’ Matlock’s businesses in Ghana and Africa. Coptic is a producer renowned for his works with Bad Boy Entertainment and hits such as ‘I Need A Girl’ Feat Diddy, Loon & Usher, “Child Of The Ghetto” Feat G-Dep , ”If I Should Die Before I Wake” Feat Notorious B.I.G, Black Rob,Ice Cube & Beanie Segal, “Living The Life” Feat Notorious B.I.G, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Faith Evans, among several others.

Besides producing hits for American artists, Coptic, through his Brooklyn Bridge Entertainment is currently working on a project called ‘The Black Star Line - Close To My Roots’, which basically aims to bring American rappers back to Africa, and close to their roots. He believes that there are a lot of really good African rappers and singers that the American/European audience is not fully aware of, and would like to use the album to showcase such talents. He also would like to do a tour of Africa with the artists featured on the album. Already a fine selection of African artists has been recorded alongside several American acts and more are yet to be recorded for the project.

‘The Black Star Line – Close To My Roots’ album would be Coptic’s real introduction on to the African market and subsequently, African artists would have access to world class productions from one of their own, through Ameyaw Debrah. Ameyaw shall make sure that all of Coptic’s interests in Ghana/Africa are being handled properly, whether with contracts or money. He is also in charge of getting new production work or remixes on quality artists not just in Ghana but all over Africa and not limited just to Hip Hop.

Another vital role that Ameyaw would play would be to scout for new and up and coming talent that can be molded for Rebel Musik, Coptic’s African music production branch. He shall also monitor to ensure that song/publishing credits are listed properly on every record produced by Coptic, and coordinate all contracts between artists in Ghana/Africa and Coptic in the USA.

“In the short time that I have known Ameyaw Debrah, I know that he is someone that I can trust. I also know that he is a hardworking go-getter who will represent me very well in all aspects of my business, helping me take it to the next level”, comments Coptic.

An excited Ameyaw comments: “I am really happy for the opportunity to work with such a great talent; not only to advance his business but also to help put Ghanaian/African artists on the international market. As someone with a huge presence on the World Wide Web, I have been doing that for a lot of Ghanaian and African artists, and I am hoping to take it a notch further with this new appointment. “

Filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso Set To Premier ‘Checkmate’

G.O — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:56:55 +0000

Ghanaian filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong-Manso may be saying ‘Checkmate’ in her latest production but certainly, this is not the end of her wonderful works. While her last two productions, ‘Perfect Picture’ and ‘A sting in a Tale’ continue to receive critical and commercial acclaim she is set to dazzle audiences yet again with the thriller, ‘Checkmate’ premiering in Ghana on April 1.

‘Checkmate’ revolves around a young man, Kwame who has made all the right moves in his life; a good job, a beautiful devoted wife, an adorable child, and an impending promotion as a senior customs officer at the airport. But what seems like a typical guys’ hangout on a weekend away from home in the company of his new friend and mentor, Kiki turns out to be a bad move with dire consequences for Kwame. After losing a game of Chess, he succumbs to a bet to seduce the attractive, sexy Caroline.

The consequence of his dirty forgotten weekend later pops up threatening to destroy everything he so dearly loves. But the games only begin when he realizes that Caroline’s demand for his love is nothing compared to the demands of a drug lord who will do anything to get Kwame’s assistance in smuggling drugs out of the country. With his entire life hanging on a thread, Kwame must try to win the game or risk losing everything.

‘Checkmate’ promises to thrill viewers with its suspense-filled plot, clever use of audiovisuals and a gratifying interpretation of characters by an impressive cast of both new and old faces.
It is written and directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, starring Nadia Buari, K.S.M, Ekow Blankson, Naa Ashorkor and introducing Senanu Gbedawo.

It will be grand premiered at the National Theatre on April 1, 6.30pm and 9.00pm. Screening begins at Silverbird cinemas from April 2 and throughout the Easter holidays

Ghana vs Germany Tickets Sold Out

G.O — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:41:19 +0000

Tickets for Ghana’s final group D match against Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup have sold out.

An advice from FIFA to the Ghana Football Association says there were no more tickets for the Black Stars’ match on June 23 in Johannesburg’s Soccer City.

The Soccer City has a capacity of 88,460 and will host the opening game between hosts, South Africa and Mexico on June 11 and the final match.

With key matches sold out, Ghana is now left with a limited number of tickets for the other two games between Serbia and Australia.

Only category one tickets are available for the Black Stars’ first two games – against Serbia and Australia.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has set a deadline, Friday, 19th March, 2010 for payment by all ticket applicants who were successful during the first phase of the 2010 World Cup Tickets sales.

According to the FA, failure to pay within the deadline would result in the applicant’s allocation expunged from the records.

Fans have until April 7 to bid for the second sales phase for tickets at the tournament, which runs from June 11-July 11.

Pacquiao Dominates Clottey For Decision

G.O — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:22:30 +0000

Fighting on the star, Manny Pacquiao showed once again why he is the star.

With the biggest fight crowd in the U.S. in 17 years cheering him on at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao dominated a strangely passive Joshua Clottey from the opening bell Saturday night to retain his welterweight title and cement his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

The fight wasn’t close, and it was never in doubt. It was so one-sided that even those in the cheap seats among the crowd of 50,994 could tell without looking at the giant video screens over the ring that Pacquiao was in total command.

One ringside judge gave Pacquiao every round, while the two others gave him all but one. The Associated Press scored it a shutout for the Filipino sensation.

It wasn’t as flashy as his knockout of Ricky Hatton or as savage as the beating he gave Oscar De La Hoya, but there was no doubt Pacquiao was in command the entire way against a fighter who kept his gloves up high in front of his face and chose to engage him only in spurts. Clottey’s strategy worked to keep him upright, but he was never competitive in the biggest fight of his career.

“He’s a very tough opponent,” Pacquiao said. “He was looking for a big shot.”

Pacquiao was supposed to have been fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. instead of Clottey, but the megafight fell apart over a dispute over blood testing. He took out any frustrations over losing the biggest fight of his career by beating up Clottey on the biggest stage of his career.

“I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it’s up to him,” Pacquiao said. “I’m ready to fight any time.”

That time won’t come soon. Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1, and the earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather backs off his demands for blood testing.

The fight this night was more of an event than a real competition, bringing in the biggest crowd in the U.S. for a fight since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in 1993. It paid off handsomely for Pacquiao, though, who earned at least $12 million and built on the reputation he has gained as one of the greatest fighters of his time.

Promoters not only sold out the 45,000 seats available for the bout, but added thousands more standing room only “party passes” for fans who could get a glimpse of the action and see every drop of sweat on the huge overhead screens.

“It’s one of the most incredible stories not just in boxing but anywhere,” promoter Bob Arum said. “Fourteen years ago he was sleeping in a cardboard shack in the Philippines and tonight he puts 51,000 people in this palace in Dallas.”

The tone of the fight was set early, with Pacquiao advancing against his taller opponent and throwing punches with both hands from all angles. It was the same style that gave him spectacular wins in his last three fights and, though Clottey was clearly the bigger fighter, he fought back only sparingly.

“Everything’s working now,” trainer Freddie Roach told Pacquiao after the third round. “It’s easy.”

Clottey seemed content to hold his hands high in a peek-a-boo style through much of the early rounds, trying to pick off Pacquiao’s punches and perhaps rally late. But he gave away round after round, despite landing some clean punches on the rare occasions when he would throw a combination.

“You gotta take a chance,” Clottey’s trainer, Lenny DeJesus, implored him after the sixth round. “You’re in a fight and you gotta start taking chances.”

Clottey didn’t, though, and his prize was that he was the first fighter in Pacquiao’s last six fights to make it to the final bell. The only suspense when it came time to announce the decision was whether the three ringside judges would give Clottey any of the rounds.

“He has speed, I lost the fight,” Clottey said. “He’s fast, that’s why I was taking my time.”

Pacquiao threw three times as many punches as Clottey, an average of 100 a round, and landed as many power shots as Clottey threw. Final punch stats showed Pacquiao landing 246 of 1,231 punches to 108 of 399 for Clottey.

Clottey had gotten the fight off a good performance in his last bout against Miguel Cotto, but he was clearly more concerned with surviving the all out assault that Pacquiao is noted for than winning the fight.

“Joshua Clottey had the power to knock him out but was reluctant to punch,” DeJesus said. “We clearly got beat. I don’t think he won a round.”

Roach agreed, saying he saw nothing in Clottey to win.

“He had a good defense, but defense isn’t enough to win a fight,” Roach said.

Joshua Clottey Assures Ghanaians Victory Over Pacquiao

G.O — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:30:47 +0000

Joshua Clottey has vowed to beat Manny Pacquiao on Saturday to give his nation a boxing world champion once again. Clottey, one of the many former world boxing champions Ghana has produced over the years, says the current situation where the nation cannot boast of a single world champion is no good.

And righting that wrong is just what the 32 year old hard-hitting fighter says he will do in Dallas on Saturday night when he fights for the WBO Welterweight title against the seven-division champion Pacquiao. “Victory in this fight means so much to me, my family and the nation and I will not disappoint. I am going for the win and I know I am prepared for the fight,” Clottey told this writer from his training base in the USA.

Over 40,000 boxing fans including top Hollywood movie and music stars as well top businessmen and politicians have confirmed their attendance at Saturday’s big title showdown at the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A huge underdog against the highly rated Pacman, Clottey known to his fans as the Hitter and Grandmaster says it should not be regarded as an upset should he defeat Pacquiao on March 13.

Clottey has also received massive support from Ghanaians with loads of well-wish mesasges flooding the camp of the boxer ahead of tomorrow’s tough battle against Pacquiao. “Joshua, you have the ability to do it again, the courage to withstand the rough and tough tide, the will to elevate yourself and make mother Ghana proud. Yes, you can, with our whole population behind you in prayer and with the Almighty God all around you,” said one of the messages from Kojo Bonsu, new Chairman of Ghana’s National Sports Council.

Despite the setback of not getting his preferred trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey to travel with him to the USA for the fight, Clottey says everything is fine and that he has prepared well for the assault on the title he has twice in the past failed to annex when he challenged against first Antonio Magarito and then Miguel Cotto last year.

The Ghanaian boxer believes it will be third time lucky on Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium and is calling on his countrymen to remain supportive with their prayers because he is bringing the WBO welterweight title home. “This fight means a lot to me and I want to assure Ghanaians that I am ready for Manny Pacquiao and I will win for the Ghana,” Clottey pledged.

CLICK TO WATCH IT LIVE @ 9PM EST Time

Phase three of Kotoka International Airport project begins

G.O — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:25:32 +0000

Accra, March 11, GNA – The Minister of Transport, Mr. Mike Hammah on Wednesday cut the sod for the commencement of the phase three of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) development project, estimated at 51 million dollars.

He noted that the construction of a new fire station which formed part of the project was expected to be completed by the end of the year. “The construction of a modern fire station will enable the airport achieve the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended response time of not exceeding two minutes to the end of the operational runway in optimum visibility during an emergency,” he said. Mr. Hammah observed that the rehabilitation of the KIA had improved upon the aviation industry in Ghana, adding that the number of airlines at the facility had increased as a result.

He charged contractors on the project to do a “qualitative job that would ensure value for money”.

Mrs. Doreen Owusu Fianko, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL), said air traffic projections in Ghana indicated growth in aircraft movement from 15,225 in 2009 to 27,882 in 2024, with its accompanying passenger growth from 980,468 to 2,021,291 in that order, representing an average annual growth of 18 per cent.

She said cargo would grow from 60,550 in 2009 to 130,170 tonnes in 2024, representing 47 per cent growth over the projected period.

Mrs Owusu Fianko said against this back ground, it was necessary to continuously improve technical systems and infrastructure to match growth in the industry.

Touching on an ultra modern fire station under construction as part of the phase three project, she said the GACL placed high premium on rescue and fire fighting service, as enjoined by the provision of Annex 14 to the Convention of ICAO to which Ghana was a signatory.

The KIA phase three development project includes reconstruction of the taxiway pavements, apron pavements, installation of aeronautical ground lighting systems and fuel mains to the new aprons. The rest are construction of a new fire station aswell as apron drainage facilities. 11 March 10

Spanish Government donates computers to Ghana Immigration Service

G.O — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:48:17 +0000

Accra, March 10, GNA – The Spanish Government on Wednesday presented 26 computers with accessories and anti counterfeiting machines valued at about 58,000 Euros to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Accra to boost it’s
operations.

Mr. Vicente Garcia Sanjuan, Head of Migration Desk, Office of the Director-General, Migration and International Relationship, Ministry of Interior, Spain who presented the items lauded the excellent and effective collaboration between Ghana and Spain in the fight against illegal immigrants and organised crime.

He noted that while legal migrations opened door to a world of opportunities, illegal immigration was dehumanising and helped groups engaged in human trafficking.

Mr. Sanjuan said criminal groups that engaged in organised crime usually left victims especially women and children in sexual exploitation, marginalisation, social exclusion and slavery. “The migrants sometimes make outrageous commitment, with members of organised crime that tie them or their families for many years,” he added. Mr. Sanjuan contended that it was the duty of authorities to fight against illegal immigrant and reduce the action of organised crime by ensuring that law enforcement agencies enforced laws on migration.

To address illegal migration, he said Spain was also encouraging West African countries through capacity building as well as provision of logistics under the EU AENEAS programme. Mr. Sanjuan said apart from mounting surveillance on the sea borders, it was also building security networks for the exchange of information in the fight against illegal immigration. In fighting against document fraud, he said, Spain had co-financed training courses in Ghana and mentioned the formation of new Centre of Expertise in Migration and Identity Document (CEMID) in the country to check fraud. Mrs. Rebecca Chantel Guinea Stal, Charge d’Affairs of Spain, said provision of the computers was to provide a very practical way for both countries to learn from each other.

Ms. Elizabeth Adjei, Director of Immigration Service, receiving the items said it had benefited from numerous projects from the Spanish Government towards capacity building. She mentioned a two-million Euro facility for the installation of a 14 Digital Boarder Surveillance Equipment around Ghana’s 45 boundaries. Ms. Adjei said the GIS was embarking on reforms and restructuring of its operations especially in human and drug trafficking. She said GIS had received some cases involving identity fraud and impersonation especially among people who want to travel to Europe and the computers would boost their operations and enhance database.

University of Toronto Professor, George Dei Releases New Books

G.O — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:12:37 +0000

Ghanaian-born, University of Toronto Professor, George Dei has just released four new books: The first is Teaching Africa published by Springer, New York [2010] which offers critical perspectives to the study, learning and teaching of Africa and the African experiences. The book [with a Foreword by Professor Molefi Asante of Temple University] challenges problematic portrayals of the African experience. It provides critical insights to understanding the complexities, differences, as well as the shared experiences and histories of African peoples. Written from an African-centred perspective, the book addresses distorted Eurocentric views of Africa, and takes up key questions about the teaching methods and methodologies relating to Africa from an Indigenous African knowledge base. Dei addresses the need for African peoples to reclaim their past, histories, and also interrogate and contest the present, so as to design their own futures.

The second book, Learning to Succeed [published by Teneo Press, New York, 2010] comes out of his longitudinal research with ‘high academic achievers’ in the Canadian school system (high school, college and university). The book is relevant given the lessons their schooling success offer in the struggle for educational excellence among all students. The book is a collection of pieces on the study of high academic achievers written with his co-researchers at the university on the Canadian school system. The essays point to the varying conceptions of “high academic achievers” from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds of ‘success’ and ‘failure’, to the learners’ understanding of the role that education and academic success play in enhancing social opportunity, and individual life chances.

The two other books: Fanon and Education: Thinking Through Pedagogical Possibilities published by Peter Lang, New York 2010 [co-edited with Marlon Simmons]; and Fanon and the Counter-Insurgency of Education. also published by Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, 2010 (sole edited by Dei) look at the implications of the ideas of Frantz Fanon for rethinking education [broadly defined] in North America. The books [the other Fanon book 'Fanon and the Counterinsurgency of Education', has Foreword by Ato Sekyi-Otu] take up the challenge of an anti-colonial reading of Fanon, to broach questions of identity, difference and belonging, and the implication for schooling and education. In particular, the two books on Fanon highlight the limitations of Black/African bodies continually seeking currency and validation through a negotiation of White colonial spaces.