30.03.99

The Independent

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On the left side corner of the front page is a story titled ?Ablekuma Central rebuffs Konadu?s threats?. According to the story, the intimidation from supporters of the two rival political parties, NDC and NPP, got to its peak during run-up rallies of both parties for the Ablekuma bye-election. According to the paper, by the results of the bye-election the electorate in the constituency have rejected the NDC?s politics of intimidation which found expression in their slogan: ?vote NDC for Development or perish.? The paper continued that, the first lady?s threat of ?vote for my husband?s party or forget about development? was also did not go down well because the electorate can no longer be intimidated by politicians. The paper concluded that, the electorate did not budge to the first lady?s threat but instead rebuffed her with a massive vote for the NPP.

The Statesman

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The paper carries in its centre spread a story titled ?Hackman raps NDC politics?. According to the story, the minority spokesman on Foreign Affairs and member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman has appealed to the government to recognise the crucial importance of agriculture to the economy and stop politicizing programmes initiated to promote it. The paper said the minority foreign Affairs spokesman who made the remarks during the debate on the estimates for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for 1999 urged the government to put in place realistic programmes manned by competent professionals. Mr. Owusu-Agyeman expressed dissatisfaction that the National Agriculture Team (NAT) charged to discuss and provide an effective solution to increasing food production in the country, has turned out to be another NDC trick to use state resources to capture the votes of the youth.

Ghanaian Times

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The paper carries the headline, ?Ghana, Canada discuss Sierra Leone? on the right hand corner of its front page. According to the paper, the Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, and Mr. David Pratt, Canada?s special envoy to Sierra Leone conferred yesterday on ways to finding a lasting solution to the problems in Sierra Leone. According to the story, Mr. Pratt is in the country as part of a visit to some West African countries as part of efforts at stopping the carnage in Sierra Leone. Prof Mills, the paper said, commended Canada for her interest in Africa, and hoped that her efforts in the Sierra Leone crises will yield results. The Vice President recalled the recent visit of the Canadian Prime Minister to Ghana at the head of a high-powered delegation and said it showed the level of cordiality between the two countries. Mr. Pratt commended , Ghana?s commitment to peace and stability on the continent and expressed his government?s hope for an end to the civil strife in Sierra Leone.

The Guide

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The paper?s banner story runs: ?TAMARA FOR PARLIAMENT?. According to the paper, even though the 2000 elections are still about 20 months away, serious preparations are being made on the quite for the capture of certain seats. In one such instance, the paper reports that Lady Tamara aka Nana Esi Botsio Howe, a popular Ghanaian Dancer, has started eyeing the Akuapim Central Constituency seat by the year 2000.

The paper added that Lady Tamara now a wealthy restaurateur, intends to stand as an independent candidate to capture the seat from the NPP?s Koi Larbi, the incumbent. The paper claims, samples of her campaign posters have already been printed while serious financial arrangements to support her campaign is being worked out. The paper added that, her motto: ?putting people to work though development initiatives? was chosen to highlight her determination to reverse the abject poverty that confronts them. The paper states that Lady Tamara who has already built a clinic and a school for the people of Larteh hopes to use the two projects as examples of what she can do if given their mandate.

Daily Graphic

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The paper carries a banner headline ?Kwaku Dua Gets Nod?. According to the paper, a 49-year old businessman, Nana Kwaku Dua, has been nominated by the Asantehemaa Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, as the candidate to succeed the late Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.

According to the story, Nana Kwaku Dua was presented to the Gyase Division, which unanimously accepted him. This will be followed by informing Baffour Awuah V, Bantamahene and chairman of the Kumasi Traditional Council and when accepted, Nana Kwaku Dua will be presented to the Kumasi Traditional Council on Thursday and later to Asanteman. According to the paper, armed police at the palace provided tight security as people besieged Nana Kwaku Dua?s car to catch a glimpse him as he was being driven in to be informed of his nomination.

The paper added, that as soon as his nomination is approved by the Kumasi Traditional Council, Nana Kwaku Dua will begin the customary process of confinement and grooming.

Graphic Sports

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?Why Adu Tutu was dropped?, the Graphic Sports writes in a back page story that tries to explain why Adu Tutu Skelly, one of the players who captured the hearts of fans during the just- ended Africa Under-20 tournament in Accra, was left out of the final list of the Black Satellites for the impending World Cup in Nigeria. The nation?s leading sports paper reports that Coach Guiseppe Dossena, who handles both the senior and the under- 20 national teams as saying his choice was based on the technical as well as well as the individual skills of the players.

Coach Dossena conceded that all the 22 players in camp are highly talented and choosing the final 18 had not been easy but said until the last moment, no player can be completely ruled out of the squad. The paper says the coach refused to be pinned down on the specific reasons why Adu Tutu whom many see as being instrumental in the triumph of the Satellites in the African tournament was dropped.

In a front page story, the Graphic Sports reports that Coach Ibrahim Sunday, the man who captained Kotoko to its first Africa Cup victory in 1971 and helped the team to win the cup again in 1983 as coach, has returned to the club as Technical Director. Sunday is to be assisted by current Coach, Ebo Mends while the British David Booth is expected soon the augment the team?s technical bench. Club Chairman, Herbert Mensah says these are part of efforts to re-structure Kotoko?s technical bench in an attempt to recapture the past glory of the once great club. Coach Sunday accompanied Kotoko their one sixteenth Africa of Gabon which Kotoko lost 1-2 but qualified on a 3-2 appregate, having won 2-0 at home, a fortnight ago.