Kumasi, March 1, GNA- Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Frank Adu
Poku, Ashanti Regional Police commander, has assured the public that
the security agencies have initiated pragmatic measures to curb
criminal activities in the region, particularly in the Kumasi
Metropolis.
He said the security personnel were firmly prepared to face
unlawful people in the region, and warned that criminals would
ruthlessly be dealt with adding, "forewarned is forearmed".
DCOP Poku was speaking at a joint military/police parade on
Thursday in Kumasi, which followed an earlier police/military joint
exercise dubbed "Operation Show Force."
It was carried out by the personnel in some principal streets of
Kumasi to demonstrate their readiness to deal with criminal
activities, and to indicate to the public that the security services
were in control of the security situation in the region particularly
the Metropolis.
Mr. Poku advised residents to be security conscious by reporting
suspects to the security agencies.
He was referring to a recent anonymous calls to radio stations in
the Municipality by a suspected criminal who described himself as
"chief armed robber", warning residents of possible criminal
activities"
DCOP Poku gave the assurance that the personnel would ensure law
and order and asked residents not to be worried by the alleged caution
by the suspected criminal but to go about their normal duties without
fear.
1 March 07
Thursday, March 1, 2007
AMA issues “final warning” to hawkers, beggars
Accra, March 1, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Monday said in spite of several warnings, hawkers and other petty traders were still operating at traffic intersections on pavements and unauthorized places in the city and warned that they would be arrested.
A release issued by the Public Relations Department of the AMA said it had also come to their notice that some beggars were also operating at prohibited areas.
"The AMA wishes to issue a final warning to all those concerned that a task force, which is going round to arrest such offenders will deal mercilessly with them when caught," the release said.
The release said 49 offenders had already been put before court, with some sentenced to prison terms.
"All those engaging in such illegal activities are warned to desist from them in order to avoid going to jail or paying a heavy fine," it added.
GNA
01 March 07
A release issued by the Public Relations Department of the AMA said it had also come to their notice that some beggars were also operating at prohibited areas.
"The AMA wishes to issue a final warning to all those concerned that a task force, which is going round to arrest such offenders will deal mercilessly with them when caught," the release said.
The release said 49 offenders had already been put before court, with some sentenced to prison terms.
"All those engaging in such illegal activities are warned to desist from them in order to avoid going to jail or paying a heavy fine," it added.
GNA
01 March 07
Chiefs, opinion leaders sensitised on APRM in U/E
Bolgatanga, March 1, GNA - Professor S K Agyapong, Chairman of Ghana's African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (APRM-GC), on Wednesday stressed the need for attitudinal change on the part of Ghanaians if the nation is to attain its developmental aspirations.
"We have to discard this attitude of self-centredness, which has become so pervasive in our society today and put our nation, our communities first in our everyday endeavours," he said, urging traditional authorities to play a leading role in the crusade.
Professor Agyapong made the call at a one-day dissemination workshop on the APRM organised in Bolgatanga for over 60 participants comprising chiefs, elders, traditional council registrars and women opinion leaders in the Upper East Region.
The Professor also cited the poor time consciousness of Ghanaians and the tendency for incoming governments to throw overboard all programmes, plans, ideas and ongoing projects of the previous regime as other negative trends that had to be changed, as they caused untold financial loss to the nation.
"In most instances, the projects and ideas were abandoned not because they were not laudable but just for the mere reason that they were initiated by a perceived rival regime," he said, adding "let us learn to preserve rather than destroy."
Professor Agyapong also expressed concern about the rate of environmental degradation in the Upper East and Upper West regions and appealed to traditional rulers in the area to mobilise their communities to undertake tree planting on a massive scale when the rains set in, indicating that government would be prepared to support them with logistics.
In his remarks Mr Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister, observed that traditional rulers had been worthy partners of government since the colonial era and that on the nation's march towards good governance the inclusion of chiefs was a matter of great importance.
He stressed the need to provide the various traditional council secretariats with qualified professionals and the requisite work tools, saying that this would not only make them more effective in the discharge of their roles but would also enable them to contribute meaningfully to national progress."Time has come to strengthen the capacity of traditional rulers and empower them to provide quality leadership in their communities, and the nation as a whole," he said.
Mr Gambila urged chiefs in the area to ensure that community resources were efficiently harnessed and utilised for the collective benefit of the people.In a welcoming address Bishop Paul Bemile, Member of the APRM-GC, explained that the purpose of the workshop was to present the highlights of the Country Review Report to stakeholders in the Region and to solicit the support of traditional rulers and other opinion leaders in monitoring the implementation of the APRM Programme of Action.
He announced that the National Governing Council would from this year promote the formation of District APRM oversight committees to educate the populace on the implementation and monitoring of the Programme of Action.
"Indeed, Ghana has become a model of emulation in the implementation of the APRM in Africa," he said, adding that the Governing Council had shared Ghana's experience at the African Governance Forum and other countries both within and outside Africa.
Other members of the National Governing Council present at the workshop included Dr S K B Asante, Dr Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary and Mr Sam Cudjoe, Principal Programme Officer of NAPRM.
In his closing remarks Mr Robert Ajene, a retired educationist who chaired the function, noted that even though Ghana's decentralisation programme had gone on for more than two decades now, power was still effectively centralised in Accra.
"State officials still spend precious time and public funds travelling to Accra to pursue matters that could have been conveniently handled at the regional level, all at the expense of the tax payer."
Mr Ajene urged government to take measures to ensure the effective implementation of the decentralisation policy.
GNA
01 March 07
"We have to discard this attitude of self-centredness, which has become so pervasive in our society today and put our nation, our communities first in our everyday endeavours," he said, urging traditional authorities to play a leading role in the crusade.
Professor Agyapong made the call at a one-day dissemination workshop on the APRM organised in Bolgatanga for over 60 participants comprising chiefs, elders, traditional council registrars and women opinion leaders in the Upper East Region.
The Professor also cited the poor time consciousness of Ghanaians and the tendency for incoming governments to throw overboard all programmes, plans, ideas and ongoing projects of the previous regime as other negative trends that had to be changed, as they caused untold financial loss to the nation.
"In most instances, the projects and ideas were abandoned not because they were not laudable but just for the mere reason that they were initiated by a perceived rival regime," he said, adding "let us learn to preserve rather than destroy."
Professor Agyapong also expressed concern about the rate of environmental degradation in the Upper East and Upper West regions and appealed to traditional rulers in the area to mobilise their communities to undertake tree planting on a massive scale when the rains set in, indicating that government would be prepared to support them with logistics.
In his remarks Mr Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister, observed that traditional rulers had been worthy partners of government since the colonial era and that on the nation's march towards good governance the inclusion of chiefs was a matter of great importance.
He stressed the need to provide the various traditional council secretariats with qualified professionals and the requisite work tools, saying that this would not only make them more effective in the discharge of their roles but would also enable them to contribute meaningfully to national progress."Time has come to strengthen the capacity of traditional rulers and empower them to provide quality leadership in their communities, and the nation as a whole," he said.
Mr Gambila urged chiefs in the area to ensure that community resources were efficiently harnessed and utilised for the collective benefit of the people.In a welcoming address Bishop Paul Bemile, Member of the APRM-GC, explained that the purpose of the workshop was to present the highlights of the Country Review Report to stakeholders in the Region and to solicit the support of traditional rulers and other opinion leaders in monitoring the implementation of the APRM Programme of Action.
He announced that the National Governing Council would from this year promote the formation of District APRM oversight committees to educate the populace on the implementation and monitoring of the Programme of Action.
"Indeed, Ghana has become a model of emulation in the implementation of the APRM in Africa," he said, adding that the Governing Council had shared Ghana's experience at the African Governance Forum and other countries both within and outside Africa.
Other members of the National Governing Council present at the workshop included Dr S K B Asante, Dr Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary and Mr Sam Cudjoe, Principal Programme Officer of NAPRM.
In his closing remarks Mr Robert Ajene, a retired educationist who chaired the function, noted that even though Ghana's decentralisation programme had gone on for more than two decades now, power was still effectively centralised in Accra.
"State officials still spend precious time and public funds travelling to Accra to pursue matters that could have been conveniently handled at the regional level, all at the expense of the tax payer."
Mr Ajene urged government to take measures to ensure the effective implementation of the decentralisation policy.
GNA
01 March 07
KATH treats 267 clubfoot deformities
Kumasi, March 1, GNA- The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) within the last two years, with support from the Rotary Club of Kumasi East, performed surgeries to treat 267 babies, with clubfoot, a congenital deformity of the foot, characterised by misshapen or twisted appearance.
Clubfoot is a condition that makes it almost impossible for affected children to walk on the lateral sides of their feet. If not treated, the affected child could not walk properly.
Dr Steven Opuni, Head of the Trauma/Orthopaedic Surgery Unit of KATH, was briefing the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, after an awareness creation programme, organised by the Hospital.
He said Rotary International and FOCOS a USA based philanthropic organization, contacted Professor Inacio Ponsetti of the University of Iowa and the originator of the Correctional "Ponsetti" method, which involved minor surgery, to train staff of KATH to enable the Hospital perform the surgeries.
Dr Opuni said through awareness creation, most parents have brought their babies with such deformities to be treated.
Mrs Margeret Karikari, Head of the Physiotherapy Unit of KATH, asked mothers not to attribute the deformity to witchcraft instead they should report such cases to the Hospital for treatment, adding that, the defect could be treated.
Professor Prince Asiama, President of the Rotary Club of Kumasi East, said the awareness creation programme would be extended to other parts of the country.
GNA
1 March 07
Clubfoot is a condition that makes it almost impossible for affected children to walk on the lateral sides of their feet. If not treated, the affected child could not walk properly.
Dr Steven Opuni, Head of the Trauma/Orthopaedic Surgery Unit of KATH, was briefing the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, after an awareness creation programme, organised by the Hospital.
He said Rotary International and FOCOS a USA based philanthropic organization, contacted Professor Inacio Ponsetti of the University of Iowa and the originator of the Correctional "Ponsetti" method, which involved minor surgery, to train staff of KATH to enable the Hospital perform the surgeries.
Dr Opuni said through awareness creation, most parents have brought their babies with such deformities to be treated.
Mrs Margeret Karikari, Head of the Physiotherapy Unit of KATH, asked mothers not to attribute the deformity to witchcraft instead they should report such cases to the Hospital for treatment, adding that, the defect could be treated.
Professor Prince Asiama, President of the Rotary Club of Kumasi East, said the awareness creation programme would be extended to other parts of the country.
GNA
1 March 07
Trader fined for inflicting blade cuts on customer
Bawku (U/E), March 1, GNA - A magistrate's court in Bawku on Thursday imposed a ¢5.2 million fine on a 26-year-old plastic wares dealer for inflicting blade wounds on a customer during a row for defaulting in the payment for a plastic basket bought on credit.
Mariama Moro, who pleaded not guilty, said she acted in self-defence, but the court upheld that there was no basis for her plea and accordingly convicted her.
The court also bonded her to be of good behaviour for five months or in default serve five months in prison.
Three million four hundred thousand cedis of the fine would be used as compensation and medical expenses incurred by the victim. In default accused will serve five months in prison.
Police Inspector Dentis Atigsika told the court presided over by Mr Paul Alhassan, that in the early part of January this year, the complainant, Zenabu Abubakari, bought a plastic basket from the accused on credit terms for ¢25,000 and was to make daily payments of ¢2,000.
He said Zenabu paid ¢12,000 and defaulted for some days after being taken ill, whereby she explained her situation to Mariama but this did not go down well with her.
Inspector Atigsika said since Mariama was not satisfied with Zenabu's explanation, she (Zenabu) told Mariama that she could no longer pay the ¢25,000 since the basket was being sold on the market for ¢15,000.
He said Mariama agreed and promised to refund the ¢12,000, but this later resulted in an exchange of words between the two before they were separated.
The next day, the two met at the Mosque for Friday prayers and insulted each other, during which Zenabu assaulted Mariama severely before they were separated by other worshippers.
Armed with a blade, Mariama later followed Zenabu to her house and inflicted cuts on her face and breasts.
GNA
01 Feb. 07
Mariama Moro, who pleaded not guilty, said she acted in self-defence, but the court upheld that there was no basis for her plea and accordingly convicted her.
The court also bonded her to be of good behaviour for five months or in default serve five months in prison.
Three million four hundred thousand cedis of the fine would be used as compensation and medical expenses incurred by the victim. In default accused will serve five months in prison.
Police Inspector Dentis Atigsika told the court presided over by Mr Paul Alhassan, that in the early part of January this year, the complainant, Zenabu Abubakari, bought a plastic basket from the accused on credit terms for ¢25,000 and was to make daily payments of ¢2,000.
He said Zenabu paid ¢12,000 and defaulted for some days after being taken ill, whereby she explained her situation to Mariama but this did not go down well with her.
Inspector Atigsika said since Mariama was not satisfied with Zenabu's explanation, she (Zenabu) told Mariama that she could no longer pay the ¢25,000 since the basket was being sold on the market for ¢15,000.
He said Mariama agreed and promised to refund the ¢12,000, but this later resulted in an exchange of words between the two before they were separated.
The next day, the two met at the Mosque for Friday prayers and insulted each other, during which Zenabu assaulted Mariama severely before they were separated by other worshippers.
Armed with a blade, Mariama later followed Zenabu to her house and inflicted cuts on her face and breasts.
GNA
01 Feb. 07
TUC challenged to contribute to consolidation of Democracy
Kumasi, March 1, GNA- Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Ghana, has stated that the TUC was challenged like other Unions in Africa to contribute to the consolidation of democracy, and to protect the sovereignty of the nation especially in economic decision-making.
He said the TUC would also contribute towards sub-regional and regional integrations in Africa and make its voice heard at multinational forum.
Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah was addressing a meeting on economic issues, organised by the Kumasi District Labour Council, on Thursday in Kumasi.
The Secretary-General emphasized "the campaign for a living wage, adequate protection, particularly in old age and retirement and better safety and health at workplace also constituted critical challenge to the union."
He said the TUC was seeking to extend its activities to the informal sector of the economy, to secure representation for all workers and also assist them to engage in cooperative and self-help ventures.
Mrs Nadia Ibrahim, Head of the Gender Desk of the TUC, noted that the figures announced in 2007 budget estimates indicated that the nation's economic performance continued to improve in spite of shocks introduced by the higher oil prices earlier last year.
Miss Georgina Opoku, chairperson for Kumasi District Council of Labour called for continued support and participation of members of the union to promote industrial peace in the country.
GNA
1 March 07
He said the TUC would also contribute towards sub-regional and regional integrations in Africa and make its voice heard at multinational forum.
Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah was addressing a meeting on economic issues, organised by the Kumasi District Labour Council, on Thursday in Kumasi.
The Secretary-General emphasized "the campaign for a living wage, adequate protection, particularly in old age and retirement and better safety and health at workplace also constituted critical challenge to the union."
He said the TUC was seeking to extend its activities to the informal sector of the economy, to secure representation for all workers and also assist them to engage in cooperative and self-help ventures.
Mrs Nadia Ibrahim, Head of the Gender Desk of the TUC, noted that the figures announced in 2007 budget estimates indicated that the nation's economic performance continued to improve in spite of shocks introduced by the higher oil prices earlier last year.
Miss Georgina Opoku, chairperson for Kumasi District Council of Labour called for continued support and participation of members of the union to promote industrial peace in the country.
GNA
1 March 07
NADMO urges employers to protect workers
Accra, March 1, GNA - Mr George Isaac Amoo, National Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on Thursday asked employers to protect workers against work-related sickness, disease and injury.
This, he said, would ensure productivity since work would be done in decent conditions of freedom, equity and dignity.
Speaking at the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) office to mark the World Civil Defence Day, in Accra, on the theme, "Civil Defence and safety at work place", Mr Amoo reminded all employers to ensure that adequate safety measures were put in place to raise the level of human resource capacity.
"When there are no disasters, the world is at peace since disasters bring pain, injuries, lost of properties or death".
He said experience had shown that in a secure and safe work environment, workers' morale and productivity went up.
In Ghana, the Day was marked with a float amidst brass band music and sharing of educational materials such as leaflets and pamphlets on fire safety at the workplace.
The float, which started from the NADMO headquarters passed through some principal streets in Accra.
Major Nicolas Mensah (rtd), Public Relations Officer of NADMO, cautioned the public to be careful in using electrical appliances and to always switch them after use.
Major Mensah advised the youth to refrain from smoking at workplaces, especially in office buildings and to ensure that adequate fire extinguishers were placed at vantage areas within the workplace environment.
He said the appropriate agencies should be contacted in case of disasters.
In a message read on his behalf, the Secretary-General of ICDO, Mr Nawaf Al-Sleibi, said the world was faced with numerous challenges, which threatened productivity.
He said civil defence organisations should develop national structures through training, auditing and consulting programmes to provide support for the public.
GNA
01 March 07
This, he said, would ensure productivity since work would be done in decent conditions of freedom, equity and dignity.
Speaking at the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) office to mark the World Civil Defence Day, in Accra, on the theme, "Civil Defence and safety at work place", Mr Amoo reminded all employers to ensure that adequate safety measures were put in place to raise the level of human resource capacity.
"When there are no disasters, the world is at peace since disasters bring pain, injuries, lost of properties or death".
He said experience had shown that in a secure and safe work environment, workers' morale and productivity went up.
In Ghana, the Day was marked with a float amidst brass band music and sharing of educational materials such as leaflets and pamphlets on fire safety at the workplace.
The float, which started from the NADMO headquarters passed through some principal streets in Accra.
Major Nicolas Mensah (rtd), Public Relations Officer of NADMO, cautioned the public to be careful in using electrical appliances and to always switch them after use.
Major Mensah advised the youth to refrain from smoking at workplaces, especially in office buildings and to ensure that adequate fire extinguishers were placed at vantage areas within the workplace environment.
He said the appropriate agencies should be contacted in case of disasters.
In a message read on his behalf, the Secretary-General of ICDO, Mr Nawaf Al-Sleibi, said the world was faced with numerous challenges, which threatened productivity.
He said civil defence organisations should develop national structures through training, auditing and consulting programmes to provide support for the public.
GNA
01 March 07
St James School gets new classroom block
Wamanafo (B/A) March 1, GNA -The Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, on Wednesday commissioned a new 200 million cedis four unit classroom block for St. James Junior Secondary School, at Wamanafo in the Dormaa District of Brong-Ahafo.
Werner Schilling Schule, a German non-governmental organisation (NGO), which financed the project and provided desks worth 44 million cedis, has also intended to build a library for the school.
Bishop Gyamfi commended the NGO for its contribution to the development of education in the district.
He said the Catholic Education Unit was supplementing government's educational development efforts and was also committed to instilling discipline in students.
Bishop Gyamfi appealed to parents to enrol their children in school and urged the authorities of the educational institution to maintain the facility to ensure its long span.
He asked students to refrain from drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity and rather concentrate on their studies to enable them to achieve high academic laurels.
Mr. Peter Stadler, executive member of the NGO, said it would continue to support education in the area.
Mr. Okyere Gyamfi, headmaster of the school, said the school, which was established in 1985 with 40 pupils, now, had more than 400 students. He also said that since the school was incorporated into the junior secondary school system in 1987, 1,090 students had so far graduated.
Mr. Gyamfi mentioned the lack of a standard library, computer laboratory, workshop and artisan tools as some of the problems facing the school.The headmaster appealed to the District Assembly to provide the school with a television set to enable the students benefit from the President's Initiative on distance learning programme.
01 March, 07
Werner Schilling Schule, a German non-governmental organisation (NGO), which financed the project and provided desks worth 44 million cedis, has also intended to build a library for the school.
Bishop Gyamfi commended the NGO for its contribution to the development of education in the district.
He said the Catholic Education Unit was supplementing government's educational development efforts and was also committed to instilling discipline in students.
Bishop Gyamfi appealed to parents to enrol their children in school and urged the authorities of the educational institution to maintain the facility to ensure its long span.
He asked students to refrain from drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity and rather concentrate on their studies to enable them to achieve high academic laurels.
Mr. Peter Stadler, executive member of the NGO, said it would continue to support education in the area.
Mr. Okyere Gyamfi, headmaster of the school, said the school, which was established in 1985 with 40 pupils, now, had more than 400 students. He also said that since the school was incorporated into the junior secondary school system in 1987, 1,090 students had so far graduated.
Mr. Gyamfi mentioned the lack of a standard library, computer laboratory, workshop and artisan tools as some of the problems facing the school.The headmaster appealed to the District Assembly to provide the school with a television set to enable the students benefit from the President's Initiative on distance learning programme.
01 March, 07
CAF name Africa finest eleven
Accra, March 1, GNA – The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) on Thursday named eleven players as the continents finest.
The eleven were given special honours during the 2006 Glo-CAF Awards held in Accra.The following made up list of players selected Goalkeeper E. El Hadary- Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt). The defenders were Emmanuel Eboué-Cote d'Ivoire (Arsenal, England) Kolo Touré -Cote d'Ivoire (Arsenal, England) Wael Gomaa - Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt), Taiwo Taye – Nigeria (O.Marseille,France).Mohamed Abou Treka –Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt) ,Michael Essien – Ghana (Chelsea, England) Didier Zokora - Cote d'Ivoire (Tottenham, England), Mamadou Diarra - Mali (Real Madrid, Spain) makes up the midfield with strikers - Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon (Barcelona, Spain) and D. Drogba - Cote d'Ivoire (Chelsea, England) as the striking pair.
GNA
01 March 07
The eleven were given special honours during the 2006 Glo-CAF Awards held in Accra.The following made up list of players selected Goalkeeper E. El Hadary- Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt). The defenders were Emmanuel Eboué-Cote d'Ivoire (Arsenal, England) Kolo Touré -Cote d'Ivoire (Arsenal, England) Wael Gomaa - Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt), Taiwo Taye – Nigeria (O.Marseille,France).Mohamed Abou Treka –Egypt (Al Ahly, Egypt) ,Michael Essien – Ghana (Chelsea, England) Didier Zokora - Cote d'Ivoire (Tottenham, England), Mamadou Diarra - Mali (Real Madrid, Spain) makes up the midfield with strikers - Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon (Barcelona, Spain) and D. Drogba - Cote d'Ivoire (Chelsea, England) as the striking pair.
GNA
01 March 07
Drogba is the king of Africa football
Accra, March 1, GNA – Ivorian and Chelsea International star Didier Drogba has been crowned the new king of Africa football.
Drogba beat last year's winner Samuel Eto'e Fils and his Chelsea pal, Michael Essien to second and third place respectively at the 2006 Glo-CAF award ceremony held in Accra, Ghana on Thursday, March 1.
His success comes four days after he scored twice for Chelsea to help them beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup final.
He polled 79 votes in the poll of Africa's 53 national team coaches, ahead of Eto'o with 74 and Essien's 36.
Drogba, 28, and leading scorer in the English Premiership, who dedicated the award to his family, rules Africa for the next year.
Dressed like a typical Ivorian King, the flamboyant player gorgeously climbed the podium, waved to the chanting crowd before receiving the award from President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana recipient of the Platinum Award, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou providing assistance.
The Ivorian star said he felt humbled with the honour done him insisting "for me, joining great players like Abedi Pele, George Weah, Eto'o and others is the best thing any player can wish for".
Drogba said "I was always hopeful about my chances because I had a brilliant time last year".
The Chelsea hit-man was buoyant this year could be another fantastic one for him judging from how things are moving.
He is completely looking forward to another thrilling performance when 15 best teams on the continent join Ghana for the next African Cup of Nations in 2008.
Drogba's Elephants could, however, not match the shine of Ghana's Black Stars in the Team of the Year category.
The Stars who were the flagship of Africa in their maiden Mundial appearance in Germany last year, shred off challenge from the Ivorians and Pharaohs of Egypt to give the partisan crowd a reason to smile.
Other winners on the night included Abou Treka Mohamed (Ahly,Egypt) - Inter-Club Player of the Year, Al Ahly (Egypt)- Club of the Year, Taiwo Taye (Nigeria, Olympique de Marseille)- Young player of the Year.
Super Falcons' Cynthia Uwak won the Women Footballer of the Year, with Manuel José (El Ahly, Egypt) wining the Coach of the Year. George Weah won the Legend Award, whilst Dr Mike Ademuga, Chairman of Telecommunications giants Globacom received the CAF Order of Merit Award, Gold Division.
01 March 07
Drogba beat last year's winner Samuel Eto'e Fils and his Chelsea pal, Michael Essien to second and third place respectively at the 2006 Glo-CAF award ceremony held in Accra, Ghana on Thursday, March 1.
His success comes four days after he scored twice for Chelsea to help them beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup final.
He polled 79 votes in the poll of Africa's 53 national team coaches, ahead of Eto'o with 74 and Essien's 36.
Drogba, 28, and leading scorer in the English Premiership, who dedicated the award to his family, rules Africa for the next year.
Dressed like a typical Ivorian King, the flamboyant player gorgeously climbed the podium, waved to the chanting crowd before receiving the award from President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana recipient of the Platinum Award, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou providing assistance.
The Ivorian star said he felt humbled with the honour done him insisting "for me, joining great players like Abedi Pele, George Weah, Eto'o and others is the best thing any player can wish for".
Drogba said "I was always hopeful about my chances because I had a brilliant time last year".
The Chelsea hit-man was buoyant this year could be another fantastic one for him judging from how things are moving.
He is completely looking forward to another thrilling performance when 15 best teams on the continent join Ghana for the next African Cup of Nations in 2008.
Drogba's Elephants could, however, not match the shine of Ghana's Black Stars in the Team of the Year category.
The Stars who were the flagship of Africa in their maiden Mundial appearance in Germany last year, shred off challenge from the Ivorians and Pharaohs of Egypt to give the partisan crowd a reason to smile.
Other winners on the night included Abou Treka Mohamed (Ahly,Egypt) - Inter-Club Player of the Year, Al Ahly (Egypt)- Club of the Year, Taiwo Taye (Nigeria, Olympique de Marseille)- Young player of the Year.
Super Falcons' Cynthia Uwak won the Women Footballer of the Year, with Manuel José (El Ahly, Egypt) wining the Coach of the Year. George Weah won the Legend Award, whilst Dr Mike Ademuga, Chairman of Telecommunications giants Globacom received the CAF Order of Merit Award, Gold Division.
01 March 07
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