Former Deputy Education and Sports Minister during the Kuffuor led administration, Osei Bonsu Amoah has said despite funds being allocated to the committee of the All African Games in Maputo 2011, athletes had the worst ever preparations prior to and during the games.
A number of officials of the National Sports Council (NSC), now National Sports Authority (NSA), had been indicted in a report in which they were cited for allegedly pocketing and embezzling hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.
The Maputo Report came up for discussion when parliament met to approve the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the Ranking Member on the Committee, Hon. Isaac Asiamah raising questions about the ministry’s record of financial mismanagement and the delay in implementing the findings of the report.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho described the contents of the Maputo report as ‘damning’ and asked the Sports Ministry to expedite action against all persons named in the report.
According to O. B. Amoah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem-South Constituency, the athletes who participated in the games went through hell whiles some officials pocketed the money which was meant for the contingent.
“We all know what went on in Maputo, how the athletes and officials were maltreated. They were stranded at the airport and even did not participate in the opening ceremony of the tournament. Even food was not available for them. If you look at the history of Ghana’s participation in the All African Games, I could say that was the worst nightmare for Ghana,” he described.
He however called on the new Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah to act quickly and fish out those culprits.
“The Minister of Youth and Sports is new in his office and has told parliament that he is going to react on the Maputo report. He (Elvis Afriyie) said he has consulted the Auditor General’s Department for advice; the advice is what we want to hear from him. The Minister has assured us that very soon, and the chair of the committee has also said by the end of the month they will be expecting the results of the report. The most important thing is what advice the Auditor General has given on the probe results, and based on the advice, how will they implement it?” he said.
“…The government is playing delay tactics on the issue. This happened in 2011 and after probing why can’t they implement the outcome. Why will they (the government) wait for so many years before they act on this? If we keep on doing that, people will keep embezzling state funds without accountability,” he added.
Speaking to Happy FM, O. B. Amoah expressed worried over how for the past years, the Ministry which he also served has been tagged with corruption.
“What is going on is not good for the Sports Ministry at all, it create the image that the Sports Ministry is corrupt even though other ministries are worse. The newly appointed Minister should work hard and redeem the image of the ministry and also bring those culprits to book,” he said.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Maputo Games Was The Worst Nightmare For Ghanaian Athletes – O. B. Amoah
Former Deputy Education and Sports Minister during the Kuffuor led administration, Osei Bonsu Amoah has said despite funds being allocated to the committee of the All African Games in Maputo 2011, athletes had the worst ever preparations prior to and during the games.
A number of officials of the National Sports Council (NSC), now National Sports Authority (NSA), had been indicted in a report in which they were cited for allegedly pocketing and embezzling hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.
The Maputo Report came up for discussion when parliament met to approve the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the Ranking Member on the Committee, Hon. Isaac Asiamah raising questions about the ministry’s record of financial mismanagement and the delay in implementing the findings of the report.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho described the contents of the Maputo report as ‘damning’ and asked the Sports Ministry to expedite action against all persons named in the report.
According to O. B. Amoah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem-South Constituency, the athletes who participated in the games went through hell whiles some officials pocketed the money which was meant for the contingent.
“We all know what went on in Maputo, how the athletes and officials were maltreated. They were stranded at the airport and even did not participate in the opening ceremony of the tournament. Even food was not available for them. If you look at the history of Ghana’s participation in the All African Games, I could say that was the worst nightmare for Ghana,” he described.
He however called on the new Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah to act quickly and fish out those culprits.
“The Minister of Youth and Sports is new in his office and has told parliament that he is going to react on the Maputo report. He (Elvis Afriyie) said he has consulted the Auditor General’s Department for advice; the advice is what we want to hear from him. The Minister has assured us that very soon, and the chair of the committee has also said by the end of the month they will be expecting the results of the report. The most important thing is what advice the Auditor General has given on the probe results, and based on the advice, how will they implement it?” he said.
“…The government is playing delay tactics on the issue. This happened in 2011 and after probing why can’t they implement the outcome. Why will they (the government) wait for so many years before they act on this? If we keep on doing that, people will keep embezzling state funds without accountability,” he added.
Speaking to Happy FM, O. B. Amoah expressed worried over how for the past years, the Ministry which he also served has been tagged with corruption.
“What is going on is not good for the Sports Ministry at all, it create the image that the Sports Ministry is corrupt even though other ministries are worse. The newly appointed Minister should work hard and redeem the image of the ministry and also bring those culprits to book,” he said.
Former Deputy Education and Sports Minister during the Kuffuor led administration, Osei Bonsu Amoah has said despite funds being allocated to the committee of the All African Games in Maputo 2011, athletes had the worst ever preparations prior to and during the games.
A number of officials of the National Sports Council (NSC), now National Sports Authority (NSA), had been indicted in a report in which they were cited for allegedly pocketing and embezzling hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.
The Maputo Report came up for discussion when parliament met to approve the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the Ranking Member on the Committee, Hon. Isaac Asiamah raising questions about the ministry’s record of financial mismanagement and the delay in implementing the findings of the report.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho described the contents of the Maputo report as ‘damning’ and asked the Sports Ministry to expedite action against all persons named in the report.
According to O. B. Amoah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem-South Constituency, the athletes who participated in the games went through hell whiles some officials pocketed the money which was meant for the contingent.
“We all know what went on in Maputo, how the athletes and officials were maltreated. They were stranded at the airport and even did not participate in the opening ceremony of the tournament. Even food was not available for them. If you look at the history of Ghana’s participation in the All African Games, I could say that was the worst nightmare for Ghana,” he described.
He however called on the new Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah to act quickly and fish out those culprits.
“The Minister of Youth and Sports is new in his office and has told parliament that he is going to react on the Maputo report. He (Elvis Afriyie) said he has consulted the Auditor General’s Department for advice; the advice is what we want to hear from him. The Minister has assured us that very soon, and the chair of the committee has also said by the end of the month they will be expecting the results of the report. The most important thing is what advice the Auditor General has given on the probe results, and based on the advice, how will they implement it?” he said.
“…The government is playing delay tactics on the issue. This happened in 2011 and after probing why can’t they implement the outcome. Why will they (the government) wait for so many years before they act on this? If we keep on doing that, people will keep embezzling state funds without accountability,” he added.
Speaking to Happy FM, O. B. Amoah expressed worried over how for the past years, the Ministry which he also served has been tagged with corruption.
“What is going on is not good for the Sports Ministry at all, it create the image that the Sports Ministry is corrupt even though other ministries are worse. The newly appointed Minister should work hard and redeem the image of the ministry and also bring those culprits to book,” he said.
Akufo Addo Would Have Given Us GH¢10m, Not GH¢3m – Okraku Mantey
Music Producer Mark Okraku Mantey has said while government has increased its budgetary allocation to the creative arts industry in this year’s budget, he believes Nana Akufo Addo would have done far better.
The Government increased its budgetary allocation to the creative industry in the 2013 budget affirming a promise made to the sector last year by President John Dramani Mahama.
Government for the first time made an allocation of GH¢2 million in the 2012 budget for the industry and increased it to GH¢3 million this year.
Disagreements erupted after it emerged that only members of the musicians union accessed the funds. Some players in the movie industry were unhappy with the incident prompting the government to increase the allocation.
But speaking in an interview with myjoyonline.com Mark said the creative arts industry deserved more than the GH¢3 million.
This was after he led a group of creative arts professionals - Creative Arts for Change – to pay a courtesy call on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, Nana Akufo Addo at his office at Ridge in Accra Wednesday.
According to Okraku Mantey, “At least we knew we were going to get a multipurpose theatre in Kumasi, we knew he [Nana Akufo Addo] had plans for GH¢10 million not GH¢3 million,” something he strongly believes the NPP candidate would have fulfilled if he had assumed the presidency.
He lamented that although it was communicated that the creative industry was allocated GH¢2 million last year, only a group accessed the money.
“It had been given to just a sector of our industry, that is MUSIGA, it was communicated it was given to the whole creative arts but really the money was give to a particular group which we believe it’s because it had some political connection with the ruling government,” that is why some persons were not excited by the allocation, he said.
The music producer prayed that the current allocation of GH¢3 million will be disbursed appropriately. “It was communicated same last year and what happened, just a few people got control over it and they are the only people who can tell what the money was used for,” he added.
Asked what prompted the meeting with Nana Akufo Addo, Mark said Creative Arts for Change believes in the fact that after the keenly contested elections and its challenges, “people like Nana Addo will need friends, lovers to show their love and as supporters of his dream and ideals just a few months ago, it is about time we came to show that we are still with him sometimes just a pat on the shoulder, sometimes when somebody makes you feel you matter it gives you the strength, it gives you some edge.”
He said the group solidly supports the 2012 NPP flagbearer and they believe that “every individual should know what is good for him and what’s not good for him,” and so “if we do not share your ideals and we think we want a change we will let the whole know we want a change.”
L-R: Fred Kyei Mensah, Mark Okraku Mantey, Nana Akufo Addo and Ellen Omaboe
Nana Akufo Addo, who was overwhelmed by the visit, thanked the group for their support during his campaign and the elections. “It is very thoughtful and considerate of you to come and look for me and see how I am.”
He said the party’s case before the court challenging the outcome of the elections, “is going to start next week and I anticipate that soon we will get to the end of it and we will know where we stand.”
Apart from Mark Okraku Mantey, the Creative Arts for Change delegation also included Fred Kyei Mensah of Fredyma Studios and actress and film producer, Ellen Omaboe.
Music Producer Mark Okraku Mantey has said while government has increased its budgetary allocation to the creative arts industry in this year’s budget, he believes Nana Akufo Addo would have done far better.
The Government increased its budgetary allocation to the creative industry in the 2013 budget affirming a promise made to the sector last year by President John Dramani Mahama.
Government for the first time made an allocation of GH¢2 million in the 2012 budget for the industry and increased it to GH¢3 million this year.
Disagreements erupted after it emerged that only members of the musicians union accessed the funds. Some players in the movie industry were unhappy with the incident prompting the government to increase the allocation.
But speaking in an interview with myjoyonline.com Mark said the creative arts industry deserved more than the GH¢3 million.
This was after he led a group of creative arts professionals - Creative Arts for Change – to pay a courtesy call on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, Nana Akufo Addo at his office at Ridge in Accra Wednesday.
According to Okraku Mantey, “At least we knew we were going to get a multipurpose theatre in Kumasi, we knew he [Nana Akufo Addo] had plans for GH¢10 million not GH¢3 million,” something he strongly believes the NPP candidate would have fulfilled if he had assumed the presidency.
He lamented that although it was communicated that the creative industry was allocated GH¢2 million last year, only a group accessed the money.
“It had been given to just a sector of our industry, that is MUSIGA, it was communicated it was given to the whole creative arts but really the money was give to a particular group which we believe it’s because it had some political connection with the ruling government,” that is why some persons were not excited by the allocation, he said.
The music producer prayed that the current allocation of GH¢3 million will be disbursed appropriately. “It was communicated same last year and what happened, just a few people got control over it and they are the only people who can tell what the money was used for,” he added.
Asked what prompted the meeting with Nana Akufo Addo, Mark said Creative Arts for Change believes in the fact that after the keenly contested elections and its challenges, “people like Nana Addo will need friends, lovers to show their love and as supporters of his dream and ideals just a few months ago, it is about time we came to show that we are still with him sometimes just a pat on the shoulder, sometimes when somebody makes you feel you matter it gives you the strength, it gives you some edge.”
He said the group solidly supports the 2012 NPP flagbearer and they believe that “every individual should know what is good for him and what’s not good for him,” and so “if we do not share your ideals and we think we want a change we will let the whole know we want a change.”
L-R: Fred Kyei Mensah, Mark Okraku Mantey, Nana Akufo Addo and Ellen Omaboe
Nana Akufo Addo, who was overwhelmed by the visit, thanked the group for their support during his campaign and the elections. “It is very thoughtful and considerate of you to come and look for me and see how I am.”
He said the party’s case before the court challenging the outcome of the elections, “is going to start next week and I anticipate that soon we will get to the end of it and we will know where we stand.”
Apart from Mark Okraku Mantey, the Creative Arts for Change delegation also included Fred Kyei Mensah of Fredyma Studios and actress and film producer, Ellen Omaboe.
Silverbird Cinema Bans ‘Boko Haram’ Movie
Silver Bird Cinemas has banned and has refused to show one of Ghana/Nigeria movies titled ‘Boko Haram’ which was produced by movie director Pascal Amanfo.
In a chat with the producer/director of the movie, Pascal Amanfo, he revealed to Flex newspaper that, he sent the movie to Silverbird-Nigeria for it to be reviewed, but it was rejected. Whiles in Nigeria, he was also told that Silverbird-Ghana has also rejected the movie, because Silverbird-Nigeria instructed them not to show it.
When Flex newspaper contacted Silverbird-Ghana to find out the reason why they have refused to show the movie, Justice Grant, the cinema manager told Flex newspaper that, the movie is not having the kind of standard the cinema required.
Silver Bird Cinemas has banned and has refused to show one of Ghana/Nigeria movies titled ‘Boko Haram’ which was produced by movie director Pascal Amanfo.
In a chat with the producer/director of the movie, Pascal Amanfo, he revealed to Flex newspaper that, he sent the movie to Silverbird-Nigeria for it to be reviewed, but it was rejected. Whiles in Nigeria, he was also told that Silverbird-Ghana has also rejected the movie, because Silverbird-Nigeria instructed them not to show it.
When Flex newspaper contacted Silverbird-Ghana to find out the reason why they have refused to show the movie, Justice Grant, the cinema manager told Flex newspaper that, the movie is not having the kind of standard the cinema required.
Nasri inconsistency frustrates Manchester City boss Mancini
The French midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance on Saturday as the Blues beat Newcastle 4-0,but the Italian says he expects to see such showings more regularly
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted his frustration at midfielder Samir Nasri's inconsistency since his move from Arsenal.
The France international put in a man-of-the-match performance in the Blues' 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle on Saturday, and Mancini has challenged the playmaker to maintain that level of performance for the remainder of the season.
He joked to reporters "I would like to give him [Nasri] a punch! Because a player like him should play like this always, always, every game. Maybe one game he can’t play well, but that’s it.
"I can’t understand why sometimes a player with his quality doesn’t play like this every game."
The champions were boosted by the goalscoring return of club captain Vincent Kompany on Saturday after a niggling calf injury had kept him on the sidelines.
Speaking after the game, the City skipper refused to be drawn on Mancini’s comments about him playing for Belgium last week and said he’d done everything right during his recovery.
"I’ve been waiting for some time to come back and play with the lads so I’m really happy," the centre-back added.
"I have certainly put in the right amount of work. We have a brilliant medical staff at Manchester City and also with Belgium.
"In that sense, I have done everything I need to do and more. You can blame me for a mistake I make in a game, but this is different. You don’t choose to be injured."
The French midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance on Saturday as the Blues beat Newcastle 4-0,but the Italian says he expects to see such showings more regularly
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted his frustration at midfielder Samir Nasri's inconsistency since his move from Arsenal.
The France international put in a man-of-the-match performance in the Blues' 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle on Saturday, and Mancini has challenged the playmaker to maintain that level of performance for the remainder of the season.
He joked to reporters "I would like to give him [Nasri] a punch! Because a player like him should play like this always, always, every game. Maybe one game he can’t play well, but that’s it.
"I can’t understand why sometimes a player with his quality doesn’t play like this every game."
The champions were boosted by the goalscoring return of club captain Vincent Kompany on Saturday after a niggling calf injury had kept him on the sidelines.
Speaking after the game, the City skipper refused to be drawn on Mancini’s comments about him playing for Belgium last week and said he’d done everything right during his recovery.
"I’ve been waiting for some time to come back and play with the lads so I’m really happy," the centre-back added.
"I have certainly put in the right amount of work. We have a brilliant medical staff at Manchester City and also with Belgium.
"In that sense, I have done everything I need to do and more. You can blame me for a mistake I make in a game, but this is different. You don’t choose to be injured."
More Ghanaian Music To Be Sold Online By Phonofile – GAPI Assures
The much awaited clinic by GAPI in collaboration with theNorwegian-based international digital music distributor Phonofile, was held on Tuesday March 26, 2013at Earlbeam Hotel.
If any Ghanaian is still having dubiety in his/her mind as to whether Ghana is really ready for online music marketing, the fellow may have to be rest assured that indeed, Ghanaian music is henceforth going to be sold online by Phonofile, courtesy, Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries GAPI.Trond Tornes, the Marketing Manager of Phonofile who was the main facilitator for the short session said there are 25million songs online produced and sold by musicians from across all the continents in the world.
“Nonetheless, there’s still huge space for Ghanaian music to be sold online” he noted. Going into specifics, Mr. Trond walked the participants through the Phonofile system for digital distribution. “Our system starts first with the Artiste who gives his/her works to the record label, then to Phonofile where we put the songs on online shops such as Spotify, ITunes, Wimps, Amazon, etc. The consumer is the final target in the chain; from whom, revenue is generated and paid to the right owners.”
In conclusion, Mr. Trond explained that their system works so perfectly that transparency and accountability for the right owners have never and will never be compromised. “Phonofile sends quarterly reports to the right owners (the musicians) detailing out how much revenue has accrued to the musicians through downloads, radio airplays, advertisements, etc.”If you are a musician, all you have to do to get your music sold online by Phonofile is to register with GAPI, give full details of yourself and your music and GAPI shall send all your inputs to Phonofile for onward inclusion into their system. Once your music gets downloaded, played, used as a movie sound track or used for an ad, the next is a ‘giggling-cheque’ from Phonofile.
The much awaited clinic by GAPI in collaboration with theNorwegian-based international digital music distributor Phonofile, was held on Tuesday March 26, 2013at Earlbeam Hotel.
If any Ghanaian is still having dubiety in his/her mind as to whether Ghana is really ready for online music marketing, the fellow may have to be rest assured that indeed, Ghanaian music is henceforth going to be sold online by Phonofile, courtesy, Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries GAPI.Trond Tornes, the Marketing Manager of Phonofile who was the main facilitator for the short session said there are 25million songs online produced and sold by musicians from across all the continents in the world.
“Nonetheless, there’s still huge space for Ghanaian music to be sold online” he noted. Going into specifics, Mr. Trond walked the participants through the Phonofile system for digital distribution. “Our system starts first with the Artiste who gives his/her works to the record label, then to Phonofile where we put the songs on online shops such as Spotify, ITunes, Wimps, Amazon, etc. The consumer is the final target in the chain; from whom, revenue is generated and paid to the right owners.”
In conclusion, Mr. Trond explained that their system works so perfectly that transparency and accountability for the right owners have never and will never be compromised. “Phonofile sends quarterly reports to the right owners (the musicians) detailing out how much revenue has accrued to the musicians through downloads, radio airplays, advertisements, etc.”If you are a musician, all you have to do to get your music sold online by Phonofile is to register with GAPI, give full details of yourself and your music and GAPI shall send all your inputs to Phonofile for onward inclusion into their system. Once your music gets downloaded, played, used as a movie sound track or used for an ad, the next is a ‘giggling-cheque’ from Phonofile.
Kwame Djokoto - Edziban a ...dzidzi
TV presenter and actor, Kwame Djokoto, popular for his voice overs in radio commercials and his role in the Efiewura television series, says that there is nothing mysterious about the way he comes by the witty phrases that have made him a darling to many Ghanaians.
“My jargons are indeed every day words”, he told Showbiz last Monday from his base in Kumasi.
Some of the most popular ones include “Edziban a dzidzi” , “Obo Twumlaa”, “Pia monko oo... patre kotom”, “Aborokyir Bodanfo” and “Angwatominiko”.
“I know many of my fans wonder how I come by these jargons but all I do is that I use words that are familiar with most people and give them a little humour.
“For example, I can change words like Socio – cultural, political, economic reasons to ‘socopoco reasons’ just to depict what I actually mean”.
According to him, he developed this skill back in the days when he lived with his parents at Takoradi and growing up, he fell in love with the Ta’di dialect of the Fanti language which was mostly spoken with a sprinkling of jargons by the indigenes.
Speaking on the prospects of comedy in the country, the drive time host at Hello FM expressed his optimism about the growth of comedy in the country if given the needed support.
To buttress his point, Kwame Djokoto mentioned the names of Kumasi based actors, Agya Koo; Lil Wayne and Kwaku Manu who are currently enjoying a lot of patronage is an indication of Ghanaians’ acceptance of comedy. “Anybody who is in doubt can check the large number of movies these people have made as compared to other non-comedy actors”.
He revealed that even though he has long cherished the dream of becoming a standup comedian, his major challenge has been the English language which he described as a barrier.
“Even though I speak English, I cannot speak it as comfortably as I do in Fanti. However, I have done a number of standup comedy shows in Takoradi and last year, I was privileged to share the same stage with the talented and famous Klint the Drunk” .
After starring in movies such as For Girls, Monster, Wazenger and Fatal Lust, the man who hails from the Volta Region said that he is currently working on his new Comedy TV series, Osimesi which will start airing later this year.
“Comedy is my way of life and has always been part of me because naturally, I like to take the lighter side of every issue and I don’t regret being called a comedian”.
Kwame Djokoto is married with two children. He had his education at Tarkwa Secondary School and Capecoast Technical. He proceeded to Nautical College at Nungua but he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Art in Business Administration at the Kumasi campus of University of Education, Winneba.
Radio Station Owners Panic...
Owners of radio stations in Accra and Kumasi are said to be in a state of panic over reports that the Despite Group of Companies is scouting for a morning show host for its newest radio station, Asomdwe 100.9 FM.
The cause of the fear may be because the Despite Group of Companies has over the years been noted for poaching some of the best talents from media houses all over the country by offering them ‘further and better’ conditions of service.
NEWS-ONE has heard that some of the possible names on the radar of the Asomdwe FM morning show host search team include Alvin Yaw Adu Boakye aka ‘Omanhene‘; morning show host of Kessben FM in Kumasi, Nana Kwabena Bobie Ansah; morning show host of Agoo 103.5 FM in Accra, Adakabre Frimpong Manso; morning show host of Adom 106.3 FM in Accra and the controversial Captain Smart of Fox FM in Kumasi.
Reports say a brand new vehicle and a residential apartment are on offer as part of the poaching package.
The precise cash amount involved was not mentioned to NEWS-ONE but one source said it was something near $100,000 and another said the amount would depend on the caliber of the person to be settled on.
Interestingly, three ‘in-house’ names that have also popped as possible contenders for the Asomdwe morning show host are Kwesi Aboagye, host of the Peace FM Entertainment Review, Alhaji Isa Monni, News Editor of Peace FM and Kwame Nkrumah Ti Kesie.
Asomdwe 100.9 FM, according to reports, would be a predominantly Akan-speaking station and would operate from the famous Ship House which houses Okay FM, Peace FM and UTV at Abeka Junction in Accra.
Already, test transmission is underway but not many people who tune in to 100.9 FM know the name of the station because no jingle is played and the station’s name is also not mentioned.
All it does for now is to play music with absolutely no talk.
Source:news1ghana
Richie.
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