Weekend Chronicle
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The paper has on its back page a story headed ?WHERE ARE THE SPECTATORS?. According to the story, Ghanaians are noted for their love and interest in football so much that, they talk, ague and even fight over it everywhere they gather to watch or discuss the game. The paper went on to express its shock about the poor spectator attendance at the on going African Youth Tournament in Accra and Kumasi because of the exorbitant gate fees being charged at both places. The paper suggested that a lot of football fans will have loved watching every single game at the stadia, but the exorbitant fees being charged have prevented numerous fans from going to the stadium to watch the game. They are left with staying at home, offices or public places to watch and cheer their teams on the screen whilst some listen to commentary being run on radio. The paper concludes that, a commentator at one of the games suggested to the Ghana Football Authority (GFA) to open the gates so that people could go and watch the matches free instead of depriving them the chance of going to watch and cheer their favourite teams.
Ghanaian Times
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The paper carries a story ?NIB introduces school Fees Loan package? as one of its stories on the front page. According to the story, the National Investment Bank (NIB) has designed a school fees loan package for salaried workers to relieve them of paying school fees at a go. The paper continued that, the Director of the Appraisal Department of the bank Dr. Adu Amankwah at the launching of the package, said it was necessary in the face of continuous increase in school fees and commercialization of education for the introduction of this package. Explaining the scheme, the paper said Mr. Gideon G. Agbemabiase Director of the Commercial Banking Department, said parents can be eligible for the package if they open an account with NIB with a minimum deposit of 20 percent of the annual fees to be maintained on account, before the bank moves into agreement with the educational institution to pay fees on behalf of parents or guardians. The paper concluded that, Mr. Agbemeshie said the package will make payment of school fees easy, and full accademic year fees will be assured. Loans will be automatically adjusted to reflect increases in school fees, he added.
P & P
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The paper carries a mysterious story ?Goat chews off Baby?s male organ? on its third page. According to the story, when Madam Ernestina Botwe (29) of Assin Manso in the Central Region heard her eight month old crying, she felt that something mysterious was happening. The paper continued that, Ernestina rushed out thinking the baby was hungry only to find a big goat standing near her baby and busily chewing his male organ even though he was in a napkin. The paper added that the astonished mother immediately shouted for help which attracted other tenants in the house who pounced on the said goat killing it instantly. The paper concluded that, Ernestina said because her room was hot, she decided to lay the baby outside near where she was cooking. She later went inside her room to pick something only to hear Kwaku (Baby) crying uncontrollably. Little Kwaku was immediately rushed to a nearby clinic where he was treated and discharged.
Graphic Showbiz
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The paper has as its banner headline ?Aben Wo Ha? - No ban. According to the story the National Commission on culture which exercises authority over the music industry in Ghana says it has no intention of banning Aben Wo Ha, the newest song by ace Musician, Daddy Lumba as speculated by an Accra radio station. According to the story, Mr. Ebow Hawkson, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on culture says the commission has no authority to ban any song or any artistic expression because the constitution of Ghana allows for freedom of expression. The paper confirmed that, a result of a survey conducted by the paper showed that those who advocated for the ban of the song on radio were predominantly senior citizens around 45 and above. While another school of thought vehemently opposed to the song being banned. The paper concluded that even with this controversy surrounding ?Aben wo ha?, a survey around some music shops in Accra indicate that the song continues to be the fastest-selling cassette album on the market of late. GRi
Guide
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?SIRANGERS PANIC IN KUMASI, WILL HEADs FOLLOW ASANTEHENE?? asks the banner head line on the frontpage of the Guide. Australia Goldfields (GAG), Goldfields Ghana Ltd. and Bogosu Goldfields Ltd. The people in the 12 villages are also said to be sharing their beds with reptiles who are scared out of their hideouts by the incessant blasting by these miners. The activities of the miners described as both callous and disgraceful are said to be polluting sources of drinking water of the villages.
The Independent
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Gives a report on the NPP presidential candidate Mr. J.A. Kuffour as having chosen a campaign manager. The story headlined ?Kuffour Picks Campaign Manager? has it that, the new Patroitic Party which gave almost the same reasons for its defeats in 1992 and 1996 elections as the relatively short period of campaigning, looks almost set to address the issue of picking a campaign manager. The nominee Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey will succed Alhaji Mustapha Innusah who party insiders say is being considered as the running mate of Mr. J.A. Kuffour. The report continues that Mr. Obetsebi Lamptey has drawn up an elaborate programme which the NPP will use to retain the Ablekuma seat made vacant by the death of Mr. C.S. Crabbe. The programme is meant to whip up support for the party?s candidate, Victor Okuley Nortey.
Daily Graphic
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The paper has on its front page a story the headline: ?Ministry Awards ?22b contract to 25 companies?. According to the paper, the Ministry of Education has awarded a ?22b contract to 25 Ghanaian Publishing companies to print 4.5 million copies of supplementary readers for primary and junior secondary schools in the country. According to the paper, the contract is the first of its kind to publishing houses in the country and its supposed to provide reading materials for basic schools. The paper continued that the Minister for Education Mr. Ekow Spio-Garbra h made this known to Ghana Book Publishers Association when they called on him to express their gratitude for the Ministry?s effort at promoting and sustaining the local publishing and printing industry. The paper added that the publishers asked the Ministry to furnish them with its textbook policy for the Free Complulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) to enable them satisfy the required criteria. The paper concluded that the contract will not only push the Printing & Publishing Industry forward but will also help in creating job opportunity.
The story says more grief, anger and tension is building up in Kumasi following the death of the great king of the Ashanti?s, the Asantehene Nana Opoku Ware II last Thursday. While the Asanteman Council chiefs and elders are reported as being angry about the premature publicity given to the death of the Otumfuo, tension and fear has gripped strangers who live in and around Kumasi. The rumour mill in Kumasi is reported to be ?running wild?. Another front page story in the Guide says: ?Over 10,000 people going Blind in Tarkwa. Due to surface mining? says more than 10,000 below-poverty-line persons in 12 communities around Tarkwa where surface mining is going on are gradually going blind. According to the paper the acute eye problems are the result of blasting activities conducted by Teberebie Ghana Ltd. Ghana
