Proliferation of arms in N/R increases

Proliferation of arms in N/R increases – Mahama Shaibu

Secretary to the Yaa-Naa Memorial Lecture Secretariat, Mahama Shaibu has raised alarm that the proliferation of arms in the northern region was dreadful.
According to him, the youth of the area have in their possession sophisticated weapons which must be retrieved at all cost.
Offering a solution to the security threat, Mahama Shaibu called for an immediate, thorough search of homes, especially in the Tamale metropolis to rid the area of arms.
His call came in the wake of recent shootings in Tamale, Bimbila and Chereponi districts in the northern region.
Speaking to Citi News, he anticipated more reprisal attacks in the Tamale metropolis if such weapons are not retrieved.
“Government should make sure that they get the police and military to search every household in Tamale and also involve the services of informants to tell them where the youth bury their weapons so that that will contribute significantly.”

Mahama Shaibu further encouraged security personnel in the area to be independently minded in carrying out their operations.
“It appears to be no active option available for the police; if they go ahead and arrest those who commit crimes, politicians will come and say they should arrest them and if they don’t arrest then the culture of impunity will continue and it will pose as a danger to security in the region.”
He also challenged politicians from the area to stop interfering in the operations of security agencies saying, “I think that the politicians themselves have a role to play in maintaining law and order as far what is happening in Tamale is concerned.”

By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

LETS PRAY FOR OUR BLACK STARS

Who should partner the Baby Jet?

Asamoah Gyan

Ghana face a monster challenge at this year’s World Cup after being drawn in a Group of Death against three-time world champions Germany, Portugal and the United States.
To survive this battle, Africa’s most prolific side in recent times would need to remain ruthless in the final third as there will be little margin for error.
The four-time African champions boast one of the best midfields in world football with talents like Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso and Michael Essien – all capable of dictating play as well as scoring from any direction.
However key to the potency of coach Kwesi Appiah’s side in Brazil is likely to be the dexterity of his central strikers as goal scoring opportunities are certain to come at a premium.
Top striker and skipper Asamoah Gyan is a proven marksman and, if fit, is certain to lead the hunt for goals. Pacy, talented, bullish, and experienced, the 28-year-old – a veteran of two World Cup finals – is at his imperious best when you hand him a big stage.
The question for most would be who earns the right to partner him or deputise for him, if Gyan is unavailable, and Appiah opts for a five-man midfield given the quality of opposition.
So who is leading the race to be Gyan’s second-in-command?
ABDUL MAJEED WARIS
Recent form suggests that diminutive Valenciennes loan star Abdul Majeed Waris is leading the race to be the authentic choice.
Super fast, direct, fearless and deadly in front of goal, this 22-year-old has proven to be capable of handling the big stage. Together with Gyan they orchestrated the 6-1 destruction of Egypt last year, a display that cemented his place in Appiah’s squad.
He also has momentum on his side after netting four goals in seven league games since joining Valenciennes in January from Russian side Spartak Moscow.
JORDAN AYEW
Jordan turns in impressive performances for French top-flight strugglers Sochaux weekly and seven starts in seven games since a loan move from Marseille in January says something of his status at the club.
But the son of the legendary Abedi Pele Ayew has found goals hard to come by in recent times. Just like Waris, he is 22, strong, talented, direct and can hold up play well. He also provides an aerial threat.
In fairness, however, regular switches between the wings and his central role might have affected his goal scoring. Still although recent form counts against him there is no shortage of enthusiasm or ambition in the youngster.
RICHMOND BOAKYE-YIADOM
Unlike Waris and Jordan, Richmond Boakye in not in the squad to face Montenegro in an international friendly next week.
Still, seven caps and two goals could see him return for the final preparations for the World Cup in May. Once hailed as the best number nine in the Italian Serie B, the 21-year-old star is now on loan at Spanish La Liga strugglers Elche from Italian giants Juventus.
He is a big striker, and Boakye can use his strength to hold up play and unsettle defences, with some pace still to burn. His goal against Real Madrid in September suggests he can mix it up with the best. He remains a regular face in the Elche side with nine starts in 19 appearances, scoring three times.


By: Citi Sports Desk

Mahama's free shs announcement 'shambolic',Franklin cudjoe of imani ghana

Mahama’s free SHS announcement ‘shambolic’ – Franklin Cudjoe

Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Ghana

Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Ghana says President John Mahama’s announcement of a free Senior High School (SHS) policy is “whimsical.”
“The whimsical nature with which this policy was announced…this was whimsical, it was capricious, it was not thought through, it was just mentioned,” he said.
He also opined that the President’s state of the nation address last Tuesday “was all over the place, lacked coherence.”
The President, John Mahama as mandated by the constitution delivered the state of the nation address to Parliament last Tuesday, during which he announced that his government will from 2015, start the implementation of the free SHS policy.
Sharing his thoughts on the matter on Citi FM’s, The Big Issue, Franklin Cudjoe bemoaned the President’s lack of “recourse to the education sector performance report” adding that the policy is “completely shambolic, there is no coherence.”
IMANI Ghana’s President expressed shock at the misinterpretation of ‘universal access to education’ as stated in Ghana’s constitution to mean ‘free’ by politicians in the country.
He asked, “the fact that universally, we want to end hunger, does it mean every canteen, every chop bar across the world should give food to people free even when they don’t need it?”
Franklin Cudjoe questioned if government plans to pilot the policy to test its effectiveness before it is rolled out nationwide saying, “without any means testing, there is no indication to tell us that we will start off by doing A B C D here, and then we will see whether parents will be happy with it or how we can rationalize; no, nothing.”
According to him, the President made the announcement deliberately to “side track the main issues.”

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana