Regional News of Wednesday, 24 October 2007

Source: GNA

NPP aspirant raises funds for flood victims

Sunyani, Oct. 24, GNA- Professor Mike Ocquaye, an NPP Presidential aspirant, on Wednesday said he had arranged a special charity football gala to raise funds to support flood victims in the three Northern Regions.

The six teams, which would play in the special gala, are Kumasi King Faisal, Tano Bofoakwa, B/A United, Space FC, RTU and Wa All Stars. He said the Tamale, Sunyani and Wa stadium would host the gala slated for October 28 to November 7. The presidential aspirant said the proceeds of the match would be handed over to the appropriate authority for presentation to the flood victims.

At a press conference in Sunyani to outdoor the programme, Prof. Ocquaye, who is campaigning in the Brong Ahafo, explained that natural disasters could affect anyone at anytime and said all must help rehabilitate victims of disasters.

"The love for our neighbours should make us realize that our neighbour's problem is our problem too", he added. Prof. Ocquaye said it was important to place emphasis on environment management as well as putting in place, an advance warning systems.

Meanwhile, the Brong-Ahafo regional branch of the Ghana Referees Association has decided not to handle any football match involving B/A Untied football club. Mr. Stephen Y. Barimah, Regional Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the decision followed an incident during a match between B/A United and Space FC at the Sunyani Coronation Park.

He explained that during the said match, Mr. Kwadwo Yeboah Fordjour, Chairman of B/A United allegedly attacked referee Krobea Asante on the pitch when the latter handed a player of B/A United a red card for misconduct. Mr. Barimah said Mr. Fordjour also hurled insults and described the Association as "a useless and irresponsible association". The Chairman said the association reported the incident to the Sunyani municipal police, which is being investigated.