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Isaac Dogboe gives Otake first round knockout in Arizona

Ghana’s Isaac Dogboe successfully defended his WBO super bantamweight title on Sunday morning when he humiliated Japan’s Hidenori Otake with a first-round knockout in Arizona.

The Accra-born was impressive from the start, threw some fine punches and finally put Otake down for the first time in just the second minute with a strong left hook.

Although, the Japanese got up and showed some resilience by fighting back, he couldn’t hold on for long, as he fell just 20 seconds later, after another strong punch from Dogboe landed straight into his face.

Despite the fact that Otake wanted to, at least, see the end of the first round, the referee brought down the curtains to prevent the Japanese veteran from taking further punishment.

#AndStill WBO Jr Featherweight World Champion @IsaacDogboe 🇬🇭
📸Mikey Williams @trboxing
pic.twitter.com/3b8r46c2Oz
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 26, 2018

Following the victory, Dogboe, who is only 23 years old, has a record of 20-0 wins with 13 of those wins coming via Knockouts.

On the other hand, Otake’s records stand as 13 fights, three wins and three draws. However, this is the first time the Japanese has stopped or being knocked out in his career and it is very interesting that it was even in the first round.

Dogboe is expected back in the country this week and a hero’s welcome will be given to him at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

Richard Baffour scores to win Ismaily their first game in Egyptian Premier League

Ghanaian defender Richard Baffour scored the match-winner when Ismaily pipped Misr Lel Makasa 1-0 in the Egyptian Premier League on Friday night.

The centre-back rose above his marker at the near post to head in a corner from his teammate to win his side their first game of the season.

Ismaily, prior to this game, had shared the spoils 1-1 with table toppers Al Ahly 1-1 away on opening day before they also drew goalless with Petrojet at home.

They, however, suffered their first defeat to Al Ittihad last weekend when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat away.

Ismaily, who are currently eighth on the log with five points, will travel to Petrosport Stadium in Cairo to face Nogoom next week before they host ENPPI.

Baffour joined Ismaily from Bechem United three seasons ago after he helped the Hunters to lift the Ghana FA Cup trophy, beating lower-tier side Okwawu United in the final at the Cape Sports Stadium.

Court throws out injunction petition against merging of KNUST’s Kantanga & Conti halls

A Kumasi High Court two has struck out an injunction application case seeking to restrain the management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to convert two male halls of residence of the University into a mixed one.

Alumni of the Unity and University Halls had sought an injunction application against the conversion of the halls.

Both Continental and Katanga halls have been protesting the decision by management to convert the halls.

There was a heavy police presence at the premises of the court today, Friday, August 24, 2018.

Both alumni and continuing students from both halls had massed up at the court premises to witness the case.

The court presided over by Justice Samuel Obeng Diawuo explains the applications came after the University had allocated accommodation to students who had admissions.

The Judge also explained that granting the request by the plaintiffs will cause inconvenience for fresh students who had already secured accommodation at the University.

Lead counsel of the Katanga Hall, Lawyer Stephen Asante Bekoe addressing journalists after the ruling disagreed with court’s explanations.

He hinted at heading to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling and seek proper interpretation on the matter.

The two halls have already petitioned Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chancellor of KNUST, to intervene, after demonstrating through the principal streets of the Ashanti Region.

The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of KNUST has also petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the conversion of the school’s single-sex halls.

The SRC claimed several pleas to the school’s authorities to rescind the decision failed hence the petition.

“By this petition, we ask that you intervene in the matter to get the University to have a review on issues thus far, and get the best result which will favor the entire student populace,” a section of the petition pleaded.

-Otec FM

Comment: Why Benitez must be a fool to start Atsu against Chelsea

Rafa Benitez would be a fool if he opts to start Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu against Chelsea despite Micky Quinn claiming the player could do well as he has a point to prove.

The Spanish manager knows he has to pick a player capable of replacing Kenedy on his side’s left-flank for the game against the Blues on Sunday as the Brazilian is unavailable to play against his parent club.

Quinn, who played 110 times for the Magpies, shared that if he was in charge he would opt to start Atsu in Sunday’s game as the winger will have a point to prove as he will be facing his old side.

“Anyway, Rafa needs to make a decision as to who he brings into the side instead – and I’d opt for Christian Atsu,” wrote the 56-year-old in his column for the Chronicle.

“I thought Atsu was unlucky to lose his place during the second half of last season, and I like his direct running. His end product is sometimes lacking, but I think he’ll have a point to prove against his former club.”

While players can be motivated to go the extra mile when playing a former side in order to prove a point, Benitez would be foolish to start the 26-year-old.

Atsu, who rakes in £30,000-a-week at St James Park (Source: Spotrac) regularly is careless in posession and due to this is often the player who ends up losing the ball for his side.

The 26-year-old demonstrated his ability to cause his side headaches during his side’s opening Premier League game against Spurs as after replacing Matt Ritchie in that match, he did nothing but lose the ball for his side.

Atsu may at times show glimpses of skill but against the Blues it will be important to hold onto possession wherever possible as the Blues will be ruthless when it comes to ensuring they leave St James Park with all three points.

Chelsea have made it two wins out of two so far and have scored six goals in the process, so the Magpies can’t gift them opportunities and Atsu is the type of player to do that.

Benitez has other options to look at when it comes to picking a replacement for Kenedy with Josh Murphy and Yoshinori Muto possible options so he doesn’t have to select Atsu.

Therefore, Benitez would be foolish to heed Quinn’s advice following the pundit’s claim about Atsu as the winger will prove to be a liability against a side like Chelsea.

By: Laura OLeary/Nothingbutnewcastle.com

 

Kwesi Appiah drops Ayew brothers, Gyan & Wakaso from Ghana squad to face Kenya

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has officially named a 21-man squad for the crucial game against Kenya in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

With Inter Milan midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah making a return to the team after four years absence due to a self-imposed retirement, captain Asamoah Gyan and the Ayew brothers were conspicuously missing again.

However, William Owusu has been handed his first senior national team call up, while Nicholas Opoku maintained his place after joining Udinese last month.

The Black Stars team is expected to camp in Ethiopia before the first leg takes place on September 8 in Nairobi.

Goalkeepers:

Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Richard Ofori (Martizburg,South Africa)

Defenders:

Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA) Daniel Opare (Antwerp,Belgium) Kassim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) John Boye (FC Metz, France) Daniel Amartey ( Leicester City, England) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)

Midfielders:

Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy) Isaac Sackey ( Alanyaspor, Turkey) Ebenezer Ofori (New York City FC, USA) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Edwin Gyasi (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Frank Acheampong (Tianjin Teda, China) Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)

Forwards:

Raphael Dwamena (Levante UD, Spain) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Majeed Waris (FC Nantes) William Owusu (Antwerp, Belgium)

Aduana 0-2 Asec Mimosas: Kenichi’s side crashed out of Confederation Cup

Aduana Stars’ hopes of reaching the Caf Confederation Cup knockout stage ended on Sunday following a 2-0 home defeat to Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire in a penultimate group stage encounter.

First half goals from Gbagnon Anicet Badie and Willy Braciano Ta Bi ensured a valuable win for the visitors at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park in Dormaa.

The result leaves the Fire Boys with absolutely no chance of making the quarter-finals, despite a final matchday away clash against Moroccan side Raja Casablanca in the waiting on August 29.

Aduana coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi was forced to do without some key men on Sunday, naming an XI that excluded the suspended duo of captain Yahaya Mohammed and full-back Justice Anane as well as the injured duo of Bright Adjei and goalkeeper Joseph Addo.

Winger Zakaria Mumuni and Derick Sasraku were also absent, having left to pursue careers abroad, while Anokye Badu also had to sit out the crucial encounter.
It, therefore, came with little surprise as the Fire Boys struggled to get things going in what was a must-win fixture.

Asec, who also had to play without influential injured striker Amed Toure, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute from the spot through Badie, who expertly converted after Farouk Adam fouled Zana Oumar Coulibaly in the box.

As Aduana tried to find a way back into the game, the visitors silenced Dormaa once again in the 35th minute as Braciano Ta Bi coolly dinked the ball over goalkeeper Gordon Yeboah.

Aduana, still, did not give up as Elvis Opoku’s header only flew wide while Sam Adams’ long range effort yielded nothing.

With Congolese side AS Vita Club beating Raja Casablanca 2-0 in the other group game, Aduana have moved bottom of the table, six points behind leaders Vita, four points adrift of second-placed Raja and two points underneath third-positioned Asec.

-GOAL

How Ghana government achieved their long searched ambitions despite agreeing to Fifa’s normalization committee

Following the latest meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday August 16, 2018, Ghana government has now reached an enviable agreement with the world football’s governing body and calm has been restored.

However, in the end, the West African country’s authorities have achieved their aims despite using a somehow radical approach, since all what they wanted to is to dissolve the highest making body of the football association and begin reforms for a new era without the executive committee.

BREAK DOWN OF THE FIFA DECISION

The Government of Ghana through The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, went to court with a firm plan to liquidate the GFA because, according to her, the Association in its current state is not fit for the purpose for which it was established.

In her argument before the court, the A-G said the GFA was being used for illegal purposes (citing Anas Expose and Dzamefe Commission as evidence), hence the government’s decision to protect the interest of the public.

WHY DID THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO LIQUIDATE THE GFA?

Based on the A-Gs proposition in court, government wanted all the current leadership out and allow the Registrar General as the legal liquidator to take over the GFA.

Government was well aware that, after the GFA President and some Exco members were caught in the Expose, the remaining members of the Executive Committee would be in charge of the GFA.

This, government DID NOT WANT. The remaining Executive Committee Members were ready to take charge because they had a mandate.

Was there a way for government to STOP them?

Answer is a BIG NO.

Was FIFA going to simply remove the Exco because Government doesn’t want them? BIG NO.

How then could Government remove them? By LIQUIDATING/DISSOLVING the entire association to bring the GFA’s existence to an end.

Was it the right approach? NO. Was there any approach to remove innocent Exco members because government doesn’t want them? NO.

FIFA threaten Ghana with ban UNLESS Ghana withdraws liquidation process. Was Government ready for a ban (honestly) NO.

How does government escape ban? Diplomacy. As cited in the Ghana Government response to FIFA on the 15th of August 2018 item 6;

“Government of Ghana is desirous for a further engagement with Fifa at their earliest convenience to reach a mutually accepted route to achieving our common goal,”

By this, the GoG tries to convince FIFA to grant us our wish through anyway. REMOVE the current Exco!

Would FIFA agrree to this condition under normal circumstances? NO.

But….

FIFA agrees to DISSOLVE the Executive Committee by triggering ARTICLE 8.2 which states that;

“Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period
of time”.

WHY DID FIFA AGREE TO DISSOLVE THE EXCO?

The Government of Ghana Delegation may have made a very strong case. In a more Diplomatic sense, FIFA was lefty with no option but to grant the GoG wish.

But who are the Executive Committte?

The GFA Statutes ARTICLE 33.1 describes the EXCO as the body having the AUTHORITY to;

“Manage the affairs of the Ghana Football Association”.

Before the GFA takes critical decisions, Congress needs to convene. Which body convenes Congress? The same EXCO as stated in ARTICLE 33.4 and as follows;

“To prepare and convene the ordinary and where appropriate an extra- ordinary Congress”.

Essentially, the GFA functions through the Executive Committee. By removing the EXCO and replacing it with Normalisation Committee, FIFA has professionally dissolved GFA on behalf of government.

Albeit in a more diplomatic manner that doesn’t conflict FIFA statutes and Government Interference Codes.

This also saves the ordinary football fan and clubs the complexities that may have arisen from the legal liquidation of the GFA.

Government of Ghana’s whole liquidation idea was for two main reasons…1. To change how the FA is registered
2.To remove the Executive Committee to see reforms in football

WHAT WILL THE NORMALIZATION COMMITTEE DO

The normalisation committee is charged with:

1. Running the daily affairs of the football association

2. Drafting new statutes that fulfill the requirements of FIFA statutes as well as the national law.

3. Review the statutes of regional federations and the domestic league competition to ensure their alignment

4. Identifying the representative bodies to form the Congress, as well as in regional federations,
5. and conducting elections to form a new Board.

WHO WILL BE ON THE COMMITTEE?

As stated in the FIFA Release, FIFA will consult Ghana Government and CAF. Membership is normally a mix of people with experience in football, politics, government and the commercial sector. Who wins now? ……. GHANA FOOTBALL.

By: Saddick Adams

We don’t need Pastor Otabil’s prayers, frustrated Capital Bank workers insist

The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil has incurred the wrath of the staff of defunct Capital Bank for sympathising with them.

According to them, at this trying moment, all they need is their severance package not prayers from their Board Chairman.
Pastor Otabil broke his silence on his role leading to the collapse of Capital Bank under his leadership as Board Chair.

In a statement issued in Accra Tuesday, he said during his non-executive role as Board Chairman of Capital Bank, everything he did was in the best interest of all stakeholders.

The ICGC General Overseer added that he was concerned about the wellbeing of the staff but said he will continue to pray for them.

“My foremost concern, as has been the case over the past year, is for the well-being of those who lost their jobs and those who may have been adversely affected in any way as a result of these developments.

“My heart goes out to them and to their dependents. I continue to pray for God’s guidance and sustenance as they navigate the course of their lives,” he stated in the nine-point statement.

But on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, former employees, Raymond Addei Danquah and Philip Yawson said they don’t need his prayers.
They explained that for the past one year, it’s been hell catering for their wives and children.

Raymond Addei Danquah who was Deputy Head of Digital Banking said he now grills pork to support his family.

_Adomonline
He noted that the payers and sympathies of Pastor Mensa Otabil will not change their current situation.

“We don’t need his sympathises and prayers; it won’t change anything. Even workers of Capital Bank who are members of ICGC have not heard anything from the church,” Raymond stated.

He said they have petitioned President Akufo-Addo but are yet to receive a response.

You can control late Ebony’s songs and businesses henceforth, Bullet tells Ebony’s father

The Music producers has admitted that he has had enough from the father of the late employer and wants the man to control all the music related activities

RuffTown Records CEO Ricky Nana Agyemang has insisted that he is no more going to work on the unreleased songs of the late Ebony following the greediness of the musician’s father.

Mr. Kwarteng, who has become the subject of many discussions on radio, social media and TV following allegations that Bullet has been cheating him over monies generated from the works of his late daughter, got to the peak last week after he alleged that Bullet only paid him ¢2,000 of the an alleged ¢39,999.

Press release from RuffTown Records

 

“MONEY MONEY MONEY

1. I went round looking for funds to support the funeral bola ray is my witness. all the money they donated you took all and didn’t even say thank you bullet (remember these are ppl you don’t know from anywhere but my own ppl who wanted to support cos of me.)

2.There was a cloth deal and you wanted more percentage so I gave you 10percent of my share.you didn’t say thank you

3. VGMA award money I was entitled to my percentage but I gave all to you,you didn’t say thank you

4. Ohio tribute concert I didn’t take my percentage I gave all to you,still you didn’t say thank you

5. The funeral I spent over 5000 cedis being payment of bands men.you didn’t say thank you and I didn’t even ask you to give it back to me from all the cash ppl donated cos I was doing for ohemaa

6. Tribute concert you brought your men to check the gate proceeds ,whatever we made was counted by the bank in presence of your men, Kasapreko and rufftown. Everything was transparent so why come attack me?

7. I wrote and owned 95 percent of ebony’s album.by law ebony is suppose to earn between 10-20 percent royalties but I gave her 40percent

8. Few weeks ago you received 9300 us dollars from online royalties and you still going round saying bullet is cheating when i hv given u 40 per cent of my own right instead of 10 or 20 per cent?

9.you have sidelined Midas touch my partners but they will soon come and talk!
NOW YOU CAN TAKE EVERYTHING

I wasn’t involved in day-to-day activities of Capital Bank, Dr.Mensa Otabil breaks silence on ¢610 million saga

The founder and general overseer of embattled International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr Mensa Otabil has finally opened up on the brouhaha concerning a mishandled ¢610 million which was supposed to help revive the activities of Capital Bank.

However, it has been recently been known that some of the monies given to the company by Bank of Ghana was rather shared among board members, used inappropriately etc.

But the underfire man of God, in a press statement insists he was not part of many of the decisions taken by the defunct bank since he was a non-executive board chairman but accepts responsibilities of the actions that took place and ready to help with the investigations.

Full statement is published below.
Re: Capital Bank And Related Matters
Greetings!

1. I have observed with concern, the ongoing media discussions regarding developments in the Banking Sector and my role either directly or indirectly.

2. I accepted to be Board Chairman of Capital Bank in a bid to help strengthen a promising Ghanaian enterprise that had potential but also challenges. I was excited about the prospects of a young man from a disadvantaged background who was daring to create opportunities and employment.

3. My position was a non-executive role. I was therefore not involved in the day-to-day management and operations of the Bank.

4. In the course of time, some decisions made turned out well while some did not turn out as well as had been anticipated. As far as I can tell, everything was done with the best of intentions and the interest of various stakeholders in mind.

5. My foremost concern, as has been the case over the past year, is for the well-being of those who lost their jobs and those who may have been adversely affected in any way as a result of these developments. My heart goes out to them and to their dependents. I continue to pray for God’s guidance and sustenance as they navigate the course of their lives.

6. Since the takeover of the bank exactly a year ago today, various mandated state institutions have been investigating and working to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of what happened, why it happened and who was responsible for what. I have been invited by EOCO and I have submitted myself to their processes and answered all their questions faithfully.

7. For some time now, many discussion platforms have made varied references to me and to my perceived role. Some have reached out to me for clarifications regarding issues that have been raised. I have preferred not to respond in the public domain, not as an admission of guilt, but out of respect for the due process and the ongoing investigations.

8. Notwithstanding some unforeseen outcomes, I remain resolute in my belief in the Ghanaian and African entrepreneurial spirit. I will therefore continue to lend my support and mentorship to inspire others who dare to dream and work towards the promise of Africa’s growth and transformation.

9. Meanwhile, as a believer in the rule of law, I will continue to cooperate with the mandated institutions of state as they complete their investigations. I am confident that in the process, the national interest and the rights of all parties involved will be protected.

Shalom, peace and life to you.
Signed, Pastor Mensa Otabil. 14th August, 2018.