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The Ghanaian News March 2012
Around the Ghana Sports Scene with Jonathan Annobil Africa to become global pole for economy growth Ghana signs MoU with Chinese Government for Cape Coast Stadium
African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Development have resolved to seize opportunities in the global economy to turn the continent into a pole for global growth, underlying their determination to find home-grown solutions for development challenges.
A statement issued by the Economic Commission of Africa in Addis Ababa copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday, said 50 Ministers from 37 countries adopted series of measures that their countries would need to implement to achieve that goal.
This was at the closing session of the Fifth Joint Annual Meetings of AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in Addis Ababa. The statement said the Ministers recognised, “The opportunities, potentialities and challenges for the continent to become a pole of global growth” and committed to promote and implement “holistic,
coordinated and integrated policy approaches and mixes to help unleash balanced and sustainable growth and the development potential of our countries at the local, national and regional levels.”
Although the region’s progress could either be hampered or fostered by external factors such as the escalation of the recent euro zone sovereign debt crisis and the continuation of the global financial and economic crisis, the statement focused mostly on what could, and should be done by Africans themselves. In that respect, it engaged countries to strengthen individual and collective leadership and capacities to grasp evolving local and global opportunities in order to speed up the attainment of development and transformation in Africa. The statement took note of on-going regional integration programmes across Africa and urged the promotion of mutually beneficial intra-African and South-South cooperation, including facilitating efforts towards mainstreaming the Action Plan for Boosting Intra-
African Trade.
It said there was the need to support measures to strengthen participation by young people and women in wage employment and widening their access and opportunities in the labour market, accelerating measures designed to radically curb child and maternal mortality in Africa. Focusing on the need for implementation which had often been a challenge to many African countries, the Ministers undertook to accelerate the scale up and implementation of different existing regional and global commitments and initiatives that were compatible with the vision of a “Transformed continent that is able to serve as a pillar of global growth,” the statement said. It insisted on the implementation of the Road Map and Architecture for fast-tracking the Continental Free Trade Area, as well as various ancillary initiatives, such as the Minimum Integration Programme and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa.**
Ghana, Nigeria cruise into U 17 World Cup Ghana and Nigeria will represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan later this year, marking the third successive time each side have progressed through to the tournament. Ghana beat South Africa 5-1 to pick up the first qualifying ticket to Azerbaijan 2012 on Friday. Black Maidens and Bantwanas played out a goalless draw in Daveyton two weeks ago. However, Alberta Yao’s hat-trick and a brace in the second half from captain Priscilla Okyere were enough to undo the Mosili Makhoali’s opener. Then, all eyes toward Nigeria as they booked their place at the global showpiece against Zambia. The Flamingoes
hammered Zambia 5-0 in the second leg of their final round, after claiming a hard-fought 2-1 two weeks ago in Lusaka. Patience Okaeme and Halimat Ayinde, who both scored in the first leg, again found the target in the first half of the second leg. Chidinma Edeji then hit a brace, while Mabel Effiom Michael completed the rout. “The scoreline is okay and that showed the better of both sides. We’re going to the [FIFA Women’s] World Cup to do Nigeria and Africa proud,” said Nigeria coach Peter Dedevbo. The last qualifying slot from the continent will be decided after the tie between Tunisia and Gambia next weekend. Gambia secured a slim 1-
0 advantage over Tunisia in the first leg.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese Government towards the construction of a stadium in Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital. The 15,000 seating-capacity stadium is being funded by the Chinese Government as their contribution towards the development of sporting infrastructure in the country. The signing of the MOU was heralded by series of meetings between the two parties after a team of Chinese designers visited the proposed site. Clement Kofi Humado,
Minister of Youth and Sports said the stadium which would serve educational institutions and football clubs in the Central Region is in fulfillment of Government’s promise to construct a stadium in the former national capital. He said the signing of the MoU signifies the intent of the two parties to collaborate effectively towards the construction of the stadium. The Minister expressed Government’s gratitude to their Chinese counterparts for the stadium ‘gift’ to Ghanaians. Gao Wenzhi, Economic & Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in
Ghana said the MOU is as a result of 20-days of works by designers and architects at the project site and with collaboration other stakeholders. He announced that construction will commence in October after final study of the project details. Wenzhi reiterated that the partnership between the two countries dates back to the 1950’s in all sectors of the economy. The Chinese delegation also presented an artist impression of the stadium to the Minister, who later signed the MOU on behalf of Government.
Thirty called-up to Ghana U-20 camp Thirty players have been called-up to the national U-20 camp by coach OrlandoWellington. The squad will be downsized to 23 ahead of their trip to South Africa for a friendly tournament in May. The 30-players were drawn from a nationwide scouting regime for the past two months. The players are expected to converge at the Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence in Prampram on April 2. Below is the full list of players invited: Goalkeepers: Felix Annan
(Kotoko), Muntari Tagoe (Medeama), Michael Sai (Nania), Danso Wiredu (Unistar Academy). Defenders: Baba Rahaman (Kotoko), Daniel Amartey (Inter Allies), Richmond Nketia (Mighty Jets), Larweh Asama (Tema Youth), Daniel Sowatey (Great Olympics), Emmanuel Obour (Unity FC), Tuffuor Frimpong (Liberty Professionals), Enock Kwakwa (Right to Dream), Inusah Musah (Mighty Jets), Lawrence Lartey (AshGold), Ahmed Adams (Berekum Chelsea) Midfielders: Prince
Baffoe (Kotoko), Tamimu Muntari (Mighty Jets), Appau Asiedu (Medeama), Anthony Tawiah (Medeama), Ibrahim Adam (Feyenoord), Moro Ibrahim (New Edubiase), Mumuni Abubakar (New Edubiase), Sarfo Gyamfi (WaAll Stars), Seidu Salifu (Wa All Stars), Isaac Sackey (Liberty Professionals), Nelson Ladzagbla (Juventus). Strikers: Fatau Safiu (International Allies), Mohammed Nasiru (Rainbow FC), Benjamin Fadi (Heart of Lions), Bernard Arthur (Feyenoord).
GLO Premier League: Standings Head-to-head Rule Applies Premier League Kotoko AshGold Aduana Stars Hearts of Oak Berekum Chelsea Wa All Stars Edubiase FC Liberty Dwarfs Medeama SC Heart of Lions Tema Youth Mighty Jets Wassaman United Arsenals Bechem United
P 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21
W 13 10 8 8 8 9 10 8 7 9 6 5 4 4 4 2
D 6 5 9 9 8 5 2 6 7 1 9 7 9 6 6 11
L 2 6 4 4 5 7 9 7 7 11 6 9 8 11 11 8
GF 28 23 16 18 20 16 25 22 18 29 20 22 17 19 15 14
GA 9 25 9 13 13 12 26 18 17 26 18 27 22 30 28 29
GD 19 -2 7 5 9 4 -1 4 1 3 2 -5 -5 -11 -13 -15
PTS 45 35 33 33 32 32 32 30 28 28 27 22 21 18 18 17