Saturday, February 23, 2008 The Mirror (Pg 18)
By Rebecca Kwei
A Chief Consultant of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Sam Adjei, has proposed a Health Literacy Month during which intensive health information will be made available to the population to enable them adopt positive lifestyles.
He noted that such health information when well communicated through various channels and languages will improve people’s knowledge and enable them to take good decisions on health.
Dr Adjei said this at the launch of a 16-page National Health Promotion Policy in Accra.
The policy provides an overall framework for health promotion development and practice in the country. Health promotion is essential in influencing behavioural change among the populace by enhancing the adoption of positive lifestyles by individuals, families and communities.
Dr Adjei who chaired the function, also stressed the need to identify and promote appropriate in-service training programmes for medical practitioners who see patients on a daily basis to enable them provide them with information on health that would enable patients adopt healthy lifestyles.
He said another important area to consider for the success of the policy was the training of personnel who would be deployed in relevant settings to promote health and the adequate resource to support the implementation of the activities.
The Director of Policy, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the GHS, Dr Frank Nyonator, who launched the policy on behalf of the Director-General, Dr Elias Sory, said the document had been developed in response to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation to member countries that formal policies on health promotion were needed.
He said in developing the document, careful considerations had been made to place it within the context of relevant strategic documents and framework of the Ministry of Health/GHS.
“Health promotion is a means of increasing individual and collective participation in health action and of strengthening programmes through the use of methods. These methods are combined through comprehensive approaches which ensure action at all levels of society, leading to enhanced health”, he said.
He was hopeful that the key themes in the policy would serve as a guide in the development of evidence-based health promotion interventions to promote the health of the population.
In his remarks, the WHO representative, Dr Joaquim Saweka, said a nation could attain meaningful development only when its people were healthy.
To ensure that, he said, required among other things, a deliberate effort to inform the people about the need to stay healthy as well as how to attain and maintain good health.
Dr Saweka noted that getting health information effectively across to people was no mean task, especially in Ghana where part of the people are illiterate with respect to the language used by health professionals.
He health promotion was an approach to health development that had been adopted in many countries of the world with support from the WHO.
Dr Saweka expressed the hope that the policy would guide the implementation of health promotion in the country to ensure that all major players are brought on board and also effectively involve people and the communities in taking decisions on their own health.
“We need to act fast to put a stop to the increasing rates of diseases, especially chronic diseases that are easily preventable; and it is with such a policy as you have; and its plans that are well executed that we can achieve a healthy population”, he said.
The Deputy Director in charge of Health Promotion, Mrs Mary Arday-Kotei, said the Health Promotion Department had contributed to the population’s increased awareness and knowledge of health and other related issues.
She said the department was, however, confronted with inadequate health promotion staff and the inadequate and inconsistent funding for health promotion activities and these do not enable the department to sustain interventions to achieve the desired behavioural outcomes.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Female hygiene products launched
Saturday, February 16, 2008 Pg 42 (The Mirror)
By Rebecca Kwei
Femfresh, a female hygiene product has been launched in Accra to help women improve on their personal hygiene.
The Femfresh range comprising wipes, intimate wash, talc-free powder, deodorant and body wash for general use is specially formulated for intimate feminine use and each product gently deodorises and refreshes for extra feminine freshness all day long.
The deputy Minister of health, Dr Mrs Gladys Norley Ashitey, who launched the product together with the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mrs Menna Rawlings, advised women not to use unorthodox feminine hygiene products in cleansing their intimate parts.
She said it was important that women make wise decisions when it came to their intimate health by choosing products that were balanced in terms of acidity to avoid unnecessary irritations to their intimate parts.
The Chief Executive Officer of All Pharma Ghana, Mr Patrick Karikari said everyday use of the product as part of one’s personal freshness routine will help women feel dry, fresh and confident.
Femfresh cautioned that the products should not be used to cure already existing conditions affecting women such as offensive vagina odours or infections but rather could be used to prevent such conditions.
He said the product had been dermatologically and gynaecologically tested and approved for intimate feminine use.
The product which is made in the UK is being marketed in Ghana by All Pharma (GH) Limited, a subsidiary of Allipharma UK Limited.
By Rebecca Kwei
Femfresh, a female hygiene product has been launched in Accra to help women improve on their personal hygiene.
The Femfresh range comprising wipes, intimate wash, talc-free powder, deodorant and body wash for general use is specially formulated for intimate feminine use and each product gently deodorises and refreshes for extra feminine freshness all day long.
The deputy Minister of health, Dr Mrs Gladys Norley Ashitey, who launched the product together with the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mrs Menna Rawlings, advised women not to use unorthodox feminine hygiene products in cleansing their intimate parts.
She said it was important that women make wise decisions when it came to their intimate health by choosing products that were balanced in terms of acidity to avoid unnecessary irritations to their intimate parts.
The Chief Executive Officer of All Pharma Ghana, Mr Patrick Karikari said everyday use of the product as part of one’s personal freshness routine will help women feel dry, fresh and confident.
Femfresh cautioned that the products should not be used to cure already existing conditions affecting women such as offensive vagina odours or infections but rather could be used to prevent such conditions.
He said the product had been dermatologically and gynaecologically tested and approved for intimate feminine use.
The product which is made in the UK is being marketed in Ghana by All Pharma (GH) Limited, a subsidiary of Allipharma UK Limited.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Farewell Mass for Apostolic Nuncio
Thursday, February 14, 2008 Pg 49 (Daily Graphic)
By Rebecca Kwei
A Farewell Mass has been held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral for the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. George Kocherry.
Most Rev. Kocherry has been assigned to Zimbabwe after working in Ghana for seven years.
In his homily, Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has called on Catholics to use the opportunity offered by the Lenten season to prepare themselves to receive salvation which comes from Jesus Christ.
He described the Nuncio as someone who came as a missionary and served faithfully and diligently.
He said Most Rev. Kocherry travelled the length and breadth of the country and visited all the 18 archdioceses and dioceses and the Apostolic Prefecture.
During his stay in Ghana, the church received many blessings.
For instance, Ghana had two cardinals in the persons of Peter Appiah Turkson and Peter Dery. Three churches were also elevated to the status of Minor Basilicas. Many priests were honoured with Monsignor by the Pope, and hardworking Catholics also honoured with the Knighthood.
Most Rev. Kocherry took a keen interest in education and helped in the establishment of the first Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre, near Sunyani, and also founded the Nuncio’s Scholarship Scheme for needy and intelligent students.
In 2006, Most Rev. Kocherry was honoured by the state when he received the Order of the Volta.
Most Rev. Abadamloora, on behalf of the church in Ghana, wished him well on his new assignment.
In his remarks, Most Rev. Kocherry said he was grateful to the Holy Father for the opportunity to serve the church in Ghana.
“I can proudly say the Catholic Church in Ghana is flourishing; it is growing steadily. Our participation and contribution in the fields of health, education, social and community life is commendable,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the bishops for their support and co-operation in all the initiatives he promoted.
Most Rev. Kocherry presented GH¢150,000 to the Nuncio’s Scholarship Fund to help needy and brilliant students.
On behalf of the Bishop’s Conference, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, presented the Nuncio with two gold rings engraved with the ‘Gye Nyame’ symbol.
Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle said the gift was symbolic, because Ghana was a land of gold and that gold also represented the best that one wanted to give, adding “we cherish him as gold”.
By Rebecca Kwei
A Farewell Mass has been held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral for the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. George Kocherry.
Most Rev. Kocherry has been assigned to Zimbabwe after working in Ghana for seven years.
In his homily, Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has called on Catholics to use the opportunity offered by the Lenten season to prepare themselves to receive salvation which comes from Jesus Christ.
He described the Nuncio as someone who came as a missionary and served faithfully and diligently.
He said Most Rev. Kocherry travelled the length and breadth of the country and visited all the 18 archdioceses and dioceses and the Apostolic Prefecture.
During his stay in Ghana, the church received many blessings.
For instance, Ghana had two cardinals in the persons of Peter Appiah Turkson and Peter Dery. Three churches were also elevated to the status of Minor Basilicas. Many priests were honoured with Monsignor by the Pope, and hardworking Catholics also honoured with the Knighthood.
Most Rev. Kocherry took a keen interest in education and helped in the establishment of the first Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre, near Sunyani, and also founded the Nuncio’s Scholarship Scheme for needy and intelligent students.
In 2006, Most Rev. Kocherry was honoured by the state when he received the Order of the Volta.
Most Rev. Abadamloora, on behalf of the church in Ghana, wished him well on his new assignment.
In his remarks, Most Rev. Kocherry said he was grateful to the Holy Father for the opportunity to serve the church in Ghana.
“I can proudly say the Catholic Church in Ghana is flourishing; it is growing steadily. Our participation and contribution in the fields of health, education, social and community life is commendable,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the bishops for their support and co-operation in all the initiatives he promoted.
Most Rev. Kocherry presented GH¢150,000 to the Nuncio’s Scholarship Fund to help needy and brilliant students.
On behalf of the Bishop’s Conference, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, presented the Nuncio with two gold rings engraved with the ‘Gye Nyame’ symbol.
Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle said the gift was symbolic, because Ghana was a land of gold and that gold also represented the best that one wanted to give, adding “we cherish him as gold”.
INDEPTH Network — Leading research in Africa and Asia
Thursday, February 7, 2008 Pg 30 (Daily Graphic)
By Rebecca Kwei
Public health decision-making is critically dependent on the availability of sound data. One cannot but agree with the physicist Niels Bohr when he stated in 1930 that "nothing exists until it is measured".
Information is needed to effectively assess the extent to which health services are meeting the needs and demands of individuals and communities.
Similarly, health information is needed for strategic policy-making and resource allocation. Vital health information can only be obtained through adequate relevant data obtained from carrying out quality research.
Unfortunately, research is not a priority of most developing countries as they hardly make any budgetary allocation for population and health research. It is not surprising that developing countries continue to be overburdened by diseases often preventable with proven and effective technologies.
One international NGO working hard to bring reliable health information to bear on policy and planning in resource-constrained countries is INDEPTH Network.
Since 2000, INDEPTH Network, with a secretariat in Accra, has been making systematic efforts to harness and make widely available data from various Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) sites to fill the existing void in vital health information needed for planning.
Demographic surveillance over time looks at risk and corresponding dynamics in rates of birth, deaths, and migration in a population.
Surveillance systems are often set up around specific intervention studies and later converted into standing HDSS sites that can form a platform for further studies.
INDEPTH aims at developing into a network that builds key scientific blocks in poverty-related diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
INDEPTH Network currently consists of 38 HDSS field sites in 19 countries that collectively monitor 2,200,000 people at a household level.
In Ghana, the sites are located at Dodowa, Kintampo and Navrongo. "Each site operates in geographically defined populations and conducts longitudinal, demographic monitoring, with timely production of data on all births, deaths, causes of death and migration", says Dr Ayaga Bawah, the Senior Research Associate of INDEPTH Network.
According to him, the collection of data in a well-defined area is done on a continuous basis and this helps to provide timely information for planning and service provision to communities.
INDEPTH Network’s research work is well guided in the cost-effective use of tools, interventions and systems to ensure and monitor progress towards national and international goals.
For instance, research generated from some of the INDEPTH sites in Ghana has resulted in the formulation of some national health policies. An example, Dr Bawah says, is the Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHIPS), which is now the government's policy for delivering health services to the people of Ghana.
Dr Bawah explained that the CHIPS approach had its origins in groundbreaking research carried out at the Navrongo Health Research Centre in Northern Ghana.
Another example is the use of insecticide-treated bednets whose pioneering research was also done at Navrongo. Again, the Dodowa District is being used to evaluate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Furthermore, among the scientific and policy findings that have been developed, tested and demonstrated by HDSS sites are the effectiveness of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in reducing the incidence of malaria mortality; the impact of expanding the health care workers on health outcomes in a community and the first real model life tables for sub-Saharan Africa, which had previously relied on estimates based on non-African populations.
One major boost of INDEPTH Network's projects for which Ghana is at the forefront is the establishment of the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA) in 2006 with a $17 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the INDEPTH Network.
The main goal of MCTA is to facilitate site preparation for the effective conduct of clinical trials for life-saving malaria interventions such as vaccines and drugs. MCTA is also supporting sites to develop tools to assess the disease profiles of countries while encouraging the wise use of resources in resource-constrained countries in Africa.
Currently, there are 16 trial sites in 10 African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and The Gambia) on the MCTA platform. An international Management Board headed by former Prime Minister of Mozambique, Dr Pascaol Mocumbi, was constituted.
Dr Osman Sankoh, the new Executive Director of INDEPTH Network, says prevention and control of malaria are critical steps for reducing the burden of malaria, and is happy that Ghana is playing a leading role through the work of MCTA.
The Kintampo site, for instance, is giving the country a lot of visibility.
Another issue of concern to Dr Sankoh is the effect of the rollout of anti-retrovirals (ARTs) in Africa.
"ARTs are being rolled out in many countries, but we still do not have concrete evidence about the effects of this rollout on individuals, populations and the health systems", he noted.
Dr Sankoh says that the INDEPTH Network intends to carry out research to evaluate those effects.
Dr Sankoh who took over the position of executive director in October 2007, said his vision was to make INDEPTH Network the reference point for policy makers when looking for empirical evidence for policy planning. Another area Dr Sankoh is passionate about is for INDEPTH to be seen as an efficient and effective organisation that can be counted on as a credible partner that is based right here in Africa and headed by an African. He was optimistic that maintaining and establishing partnerships with donor groups and partners was essential to realise INDEPTH's vision and mission.
By Rebecca Kwei
Public health decision-making is critically dependent on the availability of sound data. One cannot but agree with the physicist Niels Bohr when he stated in 1930 that "nothing exists until it is measured".
Information is needed to effectively assess the extent to which health services are meeting the needs and demands of individuals and communities.
Similarly, health information is needed for strategic policy-making and resource allocation. Vital health information can only be obtained through adequate relevant data obtained from carrying out quality research.
Unfortunately, research is not a priority of most developing countries as they hardly make any budgetary allocation for population and health research. It is not surprising that developing countries continue to be overburdened by diseases often preventable with proven and effective technologies.
One international NGO working hard to bring reliable health information to bear on policy and planning in resource-constrained countries is INDEPTH Network.
Since 2000, INDEPTH Network, with a secretariat in Accra, has been making systematic efforts to harness and make widely available data from various Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) sites to fill the existing void in vital health information needed for planning.
Demographic surveillance over time looks at risk and corresponding dynamics in rates of birth, deaths, and migration in a population.
Surveillance systems are often set up around specific intervention studies and later converted into standing HDSS sites that can form a platform for further studies.
INDEPTH aims at developing into a network that builds key scientific blocks in poverty-related diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
INDEPTH Network currently consists of 38 HDSS field sites in 19 countries that collectively monitor 2,200,000 people at a household level.
In Ghana, the sites are located at Dodowa, Kintampo and Navrongo. "Each site operates in geographically defined populations and conducts longitudinal, demographic monitoring, with timely production of data on all births, deaths, causes of death and migration", says Dr Ayaga Bawah, the Senior Research Associate of INDEPTH Network.
According to him, the collection of data in a well-defined area is done on a continuous basis and this helps to provide timely information for planning and service provision to communities.
INDEPTH Network’s research work is well guided in the cost-effective use of tools, interventions and systems to ensure and monitor progress towards national and international goals.
For instance, research generated from some of the INDEPTH sites in Ghana has resulted in the formulation of some national health policies. An example, Dr Bawah says, is the Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHIPS), which is now the government's policy for delivering health services to the people of Ghana.
Dr Bawah explained that the CHIPS approach had its origins in groundbreaking research carried out at the Navrongo Health Research Centre in Northern Ghana.
Another example is the use of insecticide-treated bednets whose pioneering research was also done at Navrongo. Again, the Dodowa District is being used to evaluate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Furthermore, among the scientific and policy findings that have been developed, tested and demonstrated by HDSS sites are the effectiveness of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in reducing the incidence of malaria mortality; the impact of expanding the health care workers on health outcomes in a community and the first real model life tables for sub-Saharan Africa, which had previously relied on estimates based on non-African populations.
One major boost of INDEPTH Network's projects for which Ghana is at the forefront is the establishment of the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA) in 2006 with a $17 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the INDEPTH Network.
The main goal of MCTA is to facilitate site preparation for the effective conduct of clinical trials for life-saving malaria interventions such as vaccines and drugs. MCTA is also supporting sites to develop tools to assess the disease profiles of countries while encouraging the wise use of resources in resource-constrained countries in Africa.
Currently, there are 16 trial sites in 10 African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and The Gambia) on the MCTA platform. An international Management Board headed by former Prime Minister of Mozambique, Dr Pascaol Mocumbi, was constituted.
Dr Osman Sankoh, the new Executive Director of INDEPTH Network, says prevention and control of malaria are critical steps for reducing the burden of malaria, and is happy that Ghana is playing a leading role through the work of MCTA.
The Kintampo site, for instance, is giving the country a lot of visibility.
Another issue of concern to Dr Sankoh is the effect of the rollout of anti-retrovirals (ARTs) in Africa.
"ARTs are being rolled out in many countries, but we still do not have concrete evidence about the effects of this rollout on individuals, populations and the health systems", he noted.
Dr Sankoh says that the INDEPTH Network intends to carry out research to evaluate those effects.
Dr Sankoh who took over the position of executive director in October 2007, said his vision was to make INDEPTH Network the reference point for policy makers when looking for empirical evidence for policy planning. Another area Dr Sankoh is passionate about is for INDEPTH to be seen as an efficient and effective organisation that can be counted on as a credible partner that is based right here in Africa and headed by an African. He was optimistic that maintaining and establishing partnerships with donor groups and partners was essential to realise INDEPTH's vision and mission.
Women supporters gear up for Ghana 2008
By Rebecca Kwei
The football bug has infected almost every Ghanaian — thanks to CAN 2008 which Ghana is hosting. Women have not been left out of the euphoria.
As the football tournament approaches, many women can be spotted either wearing clothes in the national colours or selling things such as flags, souvenirs, scarfs, bangles and whistles on the streets.
Aside these, there are some women’s groups whose activities centre around cheering the national teams to victory.
One of such groups is the Women Supporters Union of Ghana (WOSUGHA).
With more than 6,000 members nationwide, the union says it is ‘fully armed’ to cheer the Black Stars to victory during the tournament.
“Clad in our national colours of red, gold and green, accompanied by brass band music, we are going to support the Black Stars with our cheer songs to the best of our ability as they play their matches during the Ghana 2008. In fact we would be on our feet cheering till the end of each game,” said Ms Freda Prempeh, President and Founder of the union, in an interview in Accra with The Mirror.
The Black Stars will play Sylli Nationale of Guinea in the opening match of Ghana 2008, tomorrow, January 20.
She said although the union had not been fortunate with sponsorship and was sponsoring itself, everything was almost set for them to throng the stadium and support the Black Stars massively.
“Our only problem was the purchase of tickets. We have put in our request but are yet to get the tickets. Hopefully, we will get them before the Sunday,” she added.
The union comprises people from all walks of life with females dominating.
According to Ms Prempeh, the union was formed in 2005 and commenced business fully in January 2007 with the aim of supporting the Ghanaian national teams, especially the female national football team, the Black Queens.
Ms Prempeh who has a passion for football and women’s issues said the union was to create and sustain women’s interest and support for sports adding that “gone were the days when football was considered ‘men’s affair’. Now, women are taking active part in football.”
Aside cheering the national teams, the union also seeks to build the capacity of its members and has thus organised a career counselling and stress relief workshop for its members.
Ms Prempeh who is also the assembly member for Lakoo Electoral Area, said WOSUGHA had composed and launched a song for the Black Stars and the Black Queens.
The union supported the Black Queens when they played Bayana Bayana in Pretoria, South Africa and also in the just ended FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
Ms Prempeh appealed to women in all fields of endeavour to throng the stadium to support the Black Stars.
“The tournament is a national issue — not a men’s issue and if women are in the majority, then we should be visible whipping up support for the Black Stars. When the men are going to the stadium, they should not leave their wives behind. I believe the Black Stars will be happy seeing women cheer them to win” she said.
Another group making an impact with cheer songs for national events is Grace Ashy For Ghana Fan Club.
Grace, who is a musician and also a member of Supporters Union of Ghana, said the club was basically a cheering group for national events.
“Any activity that has a national appeal certainly has the support of the club,” she said in an interview with The Mirror.
She explained that although she had not been given any official role to play during the Ghana 2008, she would not sit idle but would do whatever she could to support the nation.
Consequently, she has composed a song titled “Black Stars Emir no nie”, literally translated “Black Stars, This is the Time” and a welcome song, “Africa we are blessed”, for the competing teams.
It will be recalled that Grace Ashy showed a lot of commitment in mobilsing national support for the senior national team, the Black Stars, during the team’s campaign in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The club is ready to give the same support to the Black Stars this time too.
Grace said it was important for people not to use discouraging words for the Black Stars.
“Good words, encouragement — these are what the Black Stars need to boost their morale,” she said.
She noted that the supporters group served as a platform for bringing people together, no matter their status, religion or political affiliations.
She encouraged all women to come out in their numbers to support the Black Stars because when “ladies support the Black Stars, it encourages them to perform better.”
The football bug has infected almost every Ghanaian — thanks to CAN 2008 which Ghana is hosting. Women have not been left out of the euphoria.
As the football tournament approaches, many women can be spotted either wearing clothes in the national colours or selling things such as flags, souvenirs, scarfs, bangles and whistles on the streets.
Aside these, there are some women’s groups whose activities centre around cheering the national teams to victory.
One of such groups is the Women Supporters Union of Ghana (WOSUGHA).
With more than 6,000 members nationwide, the union says it is ‘fully armed’ to cheer the Black Stars to victory during the tournament.
“Clad in our national colours of red, gold and green, accompanied by brass band music, we are going to support the Black Stars with our cheer songs to the best of our ability as they play their matches during the Ghana 2008. In fact we would be on our feet cheering till the end of each game,” said Ms Freda Prempeh, President and Founder of the union, in an interview in Accra with The Mirror.
The Black Stars will play Sylli Nationale of Guinea in the opening match of Ghana 2008, tomorrow, January 20.
She said although the union had not been fortunate with sponsorship and was sponsoring itself, everything was almost set for them to throng the stadium and support the Black Stars massively.
“Our only problem was the purchase of tickets. We have put in our request but are yet to get the tickets. Hopefully, we will get them before the Sunday,” she added.
The union comprises people from all walks of life with females dominating.
According to Ms Prempeh, the union was formed in 2005 and commenced business fully in January 2007 with the aim of supporting the Ghanaian national teams, especially the female national football team, the Black Queens.
Ms Prempeh who has a passion for football and women’s issues said the union was to create and sustain women’s interest and support for sports adding that “gone were the days when football was considered ‘men’s affair’. Now, women are taking active part in football.”
Aside cheering the national teams, the union also seeks to build the capacity of its members and has thus organised a career counselling and stress relief workshop for its members.
Ms Prempeh who is also the assembly member for Lakoo Electoral Area, said WOSUGHA had composed and launched a song for the Black Stars and the Black Queens.
The union supported the Black Queens when they played Bayana Bayana in Pretoria, South Africa and also in the just ended FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
Ms Prempeh appealed to women in all fields of endeavour to throng the stadium to support the Black Stars.
“The tournament is a national issue — not a men’s issue and if women are in the majority, then we should be visible whipping up support for the Black Stars. When the men are going to the stadium, they should not leave their wives behind. I believe the Black Stars will be happy seeing women cheer them to win” she said.
Another group making an impact with cheer songs for national events is Grace Ashy For Ghana Fan Club.
Grace, who is a musician and also a member of Supporters Union of Ghana, said the club was basically a cheering group for national events.
“Any activity that has a national appeal certainly has the support of the club,” she said in an interview with The Mirror.
She explained that although she had not been given any official role to play during the Ghana 2008, she would not sit idle but would do whatever she could to support the nation.
Consequently, she has composed a song titled “Black Stars Emir no nie”, literally translated “Black Stars, This is the Time” and a welcome song, “Africa we are blessed”, for the competing teams.
It will be recalled that Grace Ashy showed a lot of commitment in mobilsing national support for the senior national team, the Black Stars, during the team’s campaign in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The club is ready to give the same support to the Black Stars this time too.
Grace said it was important for people not to use discouraging words for the Black Stars.
“Good words, encouragement — these are what the Black Stars need to boost their morale,” she said.
She noted that the supporters group served as a platform for bringing people together, no matter their status, religion or political affiliations.
She encouraged all women to come out in their numbers to support the Black Stars because when “ladies support the Black Stars, it encourages them to perform better.”
Kanoute crowned CAF best player
Saturday, February 9, 2008 Pg 47 (The Mirror)
From Rebecca Kwei, Lome, Togo
Malian striker Frederic Kanoute has been adjudged the Glo-CAF African footballer of the year 2007.
He beat Ghana’s Michael Essien who was present at the ceremony and Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire, both of whom were highly tipped to win the title.
This is the second time a Malian has received the coveted award after Salif Keita took it in 1970.
Kanoute plays for Spanish side Sevilla.
At the ceremony were Samuel Eto’o Fils and former international stars Abedi Ayew, Tony Yeboah and Tony Baffoe.
Ghana’s Abedi Pele was among the Best Ten Players of the last 50 years. The rest were Samuel Eto'o, Mahmoud El Khatib, Hossam Hassan, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, George Weah, Rabah Madjerm, Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu.
At an impressive ceremony at the Palais de Congres in Lome, Togo, a calm-looking Kanoute wearing an all-white attire, received his prize from Togo’s Prime Minister, Komla Mally, who was assisted by the CAF President, Issa Hayatou.
When Kanoute’s name was mentioned, there were shouts of jubilation among the audience but you could also see ‘surprise’ written on a few faces.
The awards ceremony, which is aimed at promoting excellence in African football by rewarding best African players and football administrators, was sponsored by Globacom in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The African Footballer of the Year award is voted for by the national coaches of the 53 CAF associations.
The Supporters Club of the Year went to Ghana while C. K. Gyamfi, former Black Stars Coach, received the Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement.
Other award recipients were Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria — Female Footballer of the Year, Chermeti Amine — Inter-Club Player of the Year, Etoile Sportive de Sahel — Club of the Year, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire — National Team of the Year, Clifford Mulenga — Young Player of the Year, and Yemi Tella — Coach of the Year.
President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was given the Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007.
In his welcoming address, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga, pledged his company’s continued support for the game, adding that “we at Globacom are continuously working for the greater glory of the exciting game on the continent by sustained identification of and support for the efforts of our people, in the larger desire to keep the tempo of soccer on the high”.
For his part, Mr Hayatou said the awards ceremony provided an opportunity for all stakeholders in the football family to come together in a more relaxed manner to discuss the future.
He congratulated Globacom on staging the awards at three different venues during the last three years.
The awards ceremony was interspersed with lively music by Vicky Sampson from South Africa, King Sunny Ade from Nigeria, King Mensah from Togo and Three Tons of Fun, also from South Africa.
From Rebecca Kwei, Lome, Togo
Malian striker Frederic Kanoute has been adjudged the Glo-CAF African footballer of the year 2007.
He beat Ghana’s Michael Essien who was present at the ceremony and Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire, both of whom were highly tipped to win the title.
This is the second time a Malian has received the coveted award after Salif Keita took it in 1970.
Kanoute plays for Spanish side Sevilla.
At the ceremony were Samuel Eto’o Fils and former international stars Abedi Ayew, Tony Yeboah and Tony Baffoe.
Ghana’s Abedi Pele was among the Best Ten Players of the last 50 years. The rest were Samuel Eto'o, Mahmoud El Khatib, Hossam Hassan, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, George Weah, Rabah Madjerm, Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu.
At an impressive ceremony at the Palais de Congres in Lome, Togo, a calm-looking Kanoute wearing an all-white attire, received his prize from Togo’s Prime Minister, Komla Mally, who was assisted by the CAF President, Issa Hayatou.
When Kanoute’s name was mentioned, there were shouts of jubilation among the audience but you could also see ‘surprise’ written on a few faces.
The awards ceremony, which is aimed at promoting excellence in African football by rewarding best African players and football administrators, was sponsored by Globacom in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The African Footballer of the Year award is voted for by the national coaches of the 53 CAF associations.
The Supporters Club of the Year went to Ghana while C. K. Gyamfi, former Black Stars Coach, received the Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement.
Other award recipients were Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria — Female Footballer of the Year, Chermeti Amine — Inter-Club Player of the Year, Etoile Sportive de Sahel — Club of the Year, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire — National Team of the Year, Clifford Mulenga — Young Player of the Year, and Yemi Tella — Coach of the Year.
President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was given the Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007.
In his welcoming address, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga, pledged his company’s continued support for the game, adding that “we at Globacom are continuously working for the greater glory of the exciting game on the continent by sustained identification of and support for the efforts of our people, in the larger desire to keep the tempo of soccer on the high”.
For his part, Mr Hayatou said the awards ceremony provided an opportunity for all stakeholders in the football family to come together in a more relaxed manner to discuss the future.
He congratulated Globacom on staging the awards at three different venues during the last three years.
The awards ceremony was interspersed with lively music by Vicky Sampson from South Africa, King Sunny Ade from Nigeria, King Mensah from Togo and Three Tons of Fun, also from South Africa.
Music splash at Glo CAF Awards
Saturday, February 9, 2008 Pg. 39 (The Mirror)
From Rebecca Kwei, Lome, Togo
IT was not all about sports at the Glo CAF Awards 2007 held at the Palais de Congres in Lome, Togo as music and dance also played an important role in the success of the programme. Call it ‘sportainment’ and you will not be far from right.
Stepping on stage first was Vicky Sampson, a musician from South Africa, who put up a breathtaking performance with support from her agile and graceful backup dancers.
Then there was also the ‘home boy’, King Mensah from Togo, who dished out songs from his repertoire. King Mensah performed three songs, all rich in traditional rhythms of his country and the applause was loudest when he did a song which featured some children as his backup dancers.
King Sunny Ade was another toast of the evening with his Nigerian Juju music. His performance was taken to another height when five ladies came on stage to perform a dance more like the Mapuka dance, just that this time, they were not scantily dressed.
There was wild applause when three lovely ladies going by the name ‘Three Tons of Fun’ took the audience way back into time as they performed ‘old school’ songs. The auditorium went gay when they sang the popular song “I will survive”.
The awards ceremony, aimed at promoting excellence in African football by rewarding best African players and football administrators, was sponsored by Globacom in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
During the presentation of awards, Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria received the Female Footballer of the Year, Chermeti Amine — Inter-Club Player of the Year, Etoile Sportive de Sahel — Club of the Year, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire — National Team of the Year, Clifford Mulenga — Young Player of the Year, and Yemi Tella — Coach of the Year.
President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was given the Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007. The Supporters Club of the Year went to Ghana while C. K. Gyamfi, former Black Stars Coach, received the Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement.
Ghana’s Abedi Pele was among the Best Ten Players of the last 50 years. The rest were Samuel Eto'o, Mahmoud El Khatib, Hossam Hassan, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, George Weah, Rabah Madjerm, Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu.
Before the ultimate prize was announced, all the performers came together to sing a song after which Mali’s striker Frederic Kanoute was named as the Glo-CAF African footballer for the year 2007.
As Kanoute gently stepped on stage to receive his prize from Togo’s Prime Minister Komla Mally, who was assisted by the CAF President, Issa Hayatou, glittering confetti were showered on the stage marking the end of another exciting celebration of excellence in African football.
From Rebecca Kwei, Lome, Togo
IT was not all about sports at the Glo CAF Awards 2007 held at the Palais de Congres in Lome, Togo as music and dance also played an important role in the success of the programme. Call it ‘sportainment’ and you will not be far from right.
Stepping on stage first was Vicky Sampson, a musician from South Africa, who put up a breathtaking performance with support from her agile and graceful backup dancers.
Then there was also the ‘home boy’, King Mensah from Togo, who dished out songs from his repertoire. King Mensah performed three songs, all rich in traditional rhythms of his country and the applause was loudest when he did a song which featured some children as his backup dancers.
King Sunny Ade was another toast of the evening with his Nigerian Juju music. His performance was taken to another height when five ladies came on stage to perform a dance more like the Mapuka dance, just that this time, they were not scantily dressed.
There was wild applause when three lovely ladies going by the name ‘Three Tons of Fun’ took the audience way back into time as they performed ‘old school’ songs. The auditorium went gay when they sang the popular song “I will survive”.
The awards ceremony, aimed at promoting excellence in African football by rewarding best African players and football administrators, was sponsored by Globacom in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
During the presentation of awards, Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria received the Female Footballer of the Year, Chermeti Amine — Inter-Club Player of the Year, Etoile Sportive de Sahel — Club of the Year, The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire — National Team of the Year, Clifford Mulenga — Young Player of the Year, and Yemi Tella — Coach of the Year.
President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was given the Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007. The Supporters Club of the Year went to Ghana while C. K. Gyamfi, former Black Stars Coach, received the Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement.
Ghana’s Abedi Pele was among the Best Ten Players of the last 50 years. The rest were Samuel Eto'o, Mahmoud El Khatib, Hossam Hassan, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, George Weah, Rabah Madjerm, Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu.
Before the ultimate prize was announced, all the performers came together to sing a song after which Mali’s striker Frederic Kanoute was named as the Glo-CAF African footballer for the year 2007.
As Kanoute gently stepped on stage to receive his prize from Togo’s Prime Minister Komla Mally, who was assisted by the CAF President, Issa Hayatou, glittering confetti were showered on the stage marking the end of another exciting celebration of excellence in African football.
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