Seven people died after the MANSCO Gas Filling Station exploded at Atomic Junction near Madina, leaving about 132 people injured, and seven dead.

Citi Business News’ Jessica Ayorkor Aryee on Monday morning reported that, the police has cordoned the site, halting all economic activities around the area.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YM7izQoOsvJshxdjTosZerbNnDIj4u6L”]According to her “no economic activity is allowed in the area as shops and offices around the place are all closed”.

“The popular taxi station near the explosion site has also been barricaded. Restaurants and small food joints are all closed. Some shop owners who came to open their shops have been turned away,” she added.

She stated that “There is also a heavy police presence here protecting properties and making sure people do not interfere with the ongoing investigations”.

During the explosion, several traders abandoned their wares, and instead run for their lives. In the aftermath of the explosion, some items that had been partly burnt, and others that had been burnt to ashes, were visible at the scene.

Citi Business News understands that the place will be cordoned for weeks. This is expected to affect business over the period.

Meanwhile , the Police has told Citi Business News that economic activities will be prohibited in the immediate catchment of the explosion site.

The Director of Operations at the Ghana Police Service, COP Dr. George Dampare, said businesses will not be allowed to operate there.

“It’s a process, so as we continue to investigate the rest of the crime scene, we will be engaging businesses on what to do, and as technical persons we will also advice, and at the appropriate time we will come back and let businesses know when they can resume operations”.

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By: Lawrence Segbefia/Jessica Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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The chairman of the Commission, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, hinted the Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview at the African Regent Hotel yesterday.

The soft-spoken Appeals Court Judge, who preferred to keep those to appear before the Commission to his chest until sitting began, however, made particular reference to Muntari and Boateng, who were at the centre of the Stars’ chaotic campaign as some of the people who are likely to be invited to give evidence before the three-man body.

“For instance, some players who were sanctioned during the tournament will be given the opportunity to give their side of the story,” he signalled.

Asked how the foreign-based players would be flown down to appear before the Commission now that the European leagues are in session, Justice Dzamefe said the Ministry of Youth and Sports would be tasked to liaise with the clubs involved to ensure the players’ release.

“I don’t think that will be a problem since the players will be needed for just one day. if there is the need to invite any player the Ministry will liaise with their clubs to bring them down,” he stressed.

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Source: Graphic online

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Everything could be going just fine, but there is one thing: German fans and media remember very well how KPB criticised “Die Mannschaft” for not having any real characters on the team. With their World Cup win, Germany has proven that they actually do have strong characters amongst them, and so journalists have criticised Boateng harshly for his previous statements.

In an interview with German newspaper Sport Bild, KPB has countered this criticism.

“I don’t have to apologize for my opinion”, the Ghanaian said. “Germany answered my criticism perfectly and won the World Cup. These are all grown up people, and we interact respectfully with each other. Just as my opinion was a respectful one.”

Interestingly for Ghanaians, “the Prince” was also asked about his international career. After his argument with coach Kwesi Appiah and his subsequent suspension, the relationship between KPB and the Black Stars has not been the best – and, according to him, that is not going to change anytime soon.

In the interview, he stated that the Black Stars chapter was over for him. However, he explained that under certain conditions he might change his mind again:

“I will reconsider the subject, if someone approaches me.”

Asked about general criticism of his recent performances, he answered:

“I am 27 years old. What else do I have to show? I can cope with criticism very well.”

Despite the competition at Schalke, Boateng sees himself playing in central offensive midfield. “I feel very comfortable as a number 10. After all, I was signed to play that position.

But when the coach needs me to help out as a number 6, I’ll play there as well.”

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Source: Allsports.com.gh

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Ghana’s participation in the 2014 World Cup was rocked with scandals, some of which led to the sacking of two players, Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng from the team camp.

Responding to a question by the host of Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom Otchere, on whether he regretted contributing to the inclusion of Boateng in the team for the tournament, Mr. Ankrah said; “with the benefit of hindsight, I think that we could have done without people like that. I am being very very frank.”

German-born Kevin-Prince Boateng, announced his retirement from international football in 2011, eighteen months after naturalizing for Ghana in order to represent the Black Stars at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The player stated physical demands emanating from playing for both club and country at high levels as reason for his retirement. He was, however, recalled into the Black Stars in 2013 ahead of Ghana’s participation in the World Cup in 2014.

Mr. Ankrah also indicated that Boateng’s cultural orientation had a negative impact on the team.

Kevin Boateng was sacked from the team camp together with his team mate, Sulley Muntari for acts of misconduct.

According to the Ghana Football Association, Boateng used “vulgar verbal insults” at coach Kwesi Appiah during one of the team’s training sessions in Maceio which was the Black Stars’ team base in Brazil for the World Cup.

The GFA further stated that Boateng did not show remorse for his actions, resulting in his expulsion.

The Black Stars were eliminated in the first round of the competition after picking up a point and finishing bottom of  Group G which had the USA, Germany and Portugal as group opponents.

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By: Mawuli Tsikata/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The Ghanaian played for the Serie A club for three years before moving to Germany at the beginning of last season, and revealed that he still harbours a lot of affection for his one-time home.

“I’m still a big fan of Milan, everyone knows that,” he told Sky Italia.

“It was a wonderful experience for me and I’d love to return one day. In football, you never know.

“For me, Milan is still my home because I lived there for three years. I met my partner there, we have a son so it is as if it was my home.

Boateng also offered words of encouragement to new Milan boss Filippo Inzaghi and hoped that his former team-mate would be given the time to get the Rossoneri back into Europe.

“He needs plenty of luck and a lot of time. I wish him well,” he added.

“Hopefully they give him the right time to work because they have good players. I never want to see Europe without AC Milan, it is a strange thing. They have to stay at the top.”

Boateng was sent home and suspended indefinitely from the Ghana national team alongside Sulley Muntari for allegedly verbally abusing coach James Kwesi Appiah, but insisted that his punishment was motivated by the row surrounding World Cup bonus payments.

“I have no quarrel with Sulley, indeed, Muntari defended me,” he said. “I think the coach just wanted to find an excuse.

“The real reason was the meeting with the leaders of the Federation, during which I asked in my speech about the payments given to us by Fifa.”

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Source: Goal.com

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Citi Sports Gary Al-Smith who is in Brazil said  the two were sacked for fighting at the team’s training two days ago. There had been reports that Kevin Prince Boateng had exchanged words with the Coach Akwasi Appiah.

According to Al-Smith, Kevin Prince Boateng swore at the coach and that led to back and forth exchanges something Akwasi Appiah did not take lightly. The two were given 30 minutes to leave the team’s camp Brasilia.

It is unclear how the sacking of the two will impact on the rest of the team who will be playing a major game on Thursday. The team had earlier threatened to boycott the Ghana-Portugal match if their appearance fees were not paid on time.

Read full details of the story by Gary Al-Smith.

Meanwhile the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has suspended both players indefinitely.

By: CitiSports Team

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Kwesi Appiah is expected to name his final 23 man squad after the Ghana – Netherlands game in Rotterdam today.

Kickoff is at 1900GMT.

Before then, keen Black Stars faithful will be watching today’s game with keen eye to determine whether they are well prepared heading to Brazil.

Coping with the Dutch attack

Despite conceding only three goals during the World Cup qualifiers, the defensive department of the Stars remains a major headache heading into Brazil.

Aside Jonathan Mensah who has previous experience, the other three centre backs – Rashid Sumalia, John Boye and Jerry Akaminko will be tasting their first World Cup experience. And this could be a major shortfall when Ghana faces world class forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo, Miroslave Klose and Clint Dempsey who appear to have seen it all in both club and international competitions.

Also, most of these centre backs especially John Boye and Jonathan Mensah did not have the best of seasons in the French Ligue 1. Boye spent almost five months nursing a knee injury while Jonathan was not at his best for Evian TG. Respected French oulet L’Equipe voted Mensah amongst the worst defenders in the 2013/14 Ligue 1 season.

Ghanaian fans will be counting on the pace of Arjen Robben, finesse of Van Persie and trickery of Sneijder to provide the Stars’ defence with a stern test.

Who deserves the role behind Gyan –  KPB or Waris?

Admit it.

Coach Kwesi Appiah will have a tough time selecting between Kevin-Prince Boateng and Majeed Waris for that supporting striker’s role behind Gyan in Brazil.

Both players have been in more-than-decent form for their respective clubs. Abdul Majeed Waris was on fire for Valenciennes as he scored a stunning nine goals in 14 games to emerge as Africa’s second highest scorer in Europe.

This was while Kevin-Prince remained pivotal for Schalke in their quest to secure a champions league berth and a third-placed finish in the 2013/14 Bundesliga season. These stats make it difficult to choose between the two.

This Netherlands game will afford us the opportunity to properly assess the attributes of both players with Kwesi Appiah’s style in mind. May the best man win!

Is it a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3?

The 4 – 4 – 2 which was recently modernized into 4-2-3-1 has served as the traditional formation of the Black Stars. However, many fans are in a fix as to whether  Ghana should continue to stick to a traditional 4 – 4 -2 or explore one holding midfielder. Or should they go for a 4 – 3 -3 which allows Appiah to use both Kevin-Prince Boateng and  Majeed Waris in that trequartista role.

Substitution issues

There is a high held opinion that games in tournaments are mostly won from the bench. This is not a disputed fact. One major area most fans will be assessing in today’s game is how Kwesi Appiah fares with his subs. He’ll be expected to use his options to give fans a preview of what to expect in Brazil.

Benjamin Epton-Owusu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Essien and Boateng asked to be excused from the training sessions in Accra due to personal reasons but would join the team in the Netherlands.

Gyan, however, has indicated his support for the duo despite misgivings from the team’s fans.

” They had tangible reasons for their absence. They spoke to the technical staff and me about the situation.

They are my colleagues and we will meet them in Holland in a few days.

They gave an excuse which I found reasonable so I have no problems with them.”

The Black Stars are due to play a farewell match later on Friday against a select side before flying to the Netherlands on Saturday where they will play against the Dutch national team on the 31st May, 2014 in Rotterdam.

The team will the travel to the United States to play against South Korea in another pre-World Cup friendly before going to Brazil to take on the United States, Germany and Portugal in Group G of the World Cup.

LISTEN: Full Asamoah Gyan interview in our FC Africa show

By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The midfield hard man predicts that one of the Germany and Ghana will fail to reach the knock-out stages in Brazil.

“It’s a strong group and I think that Germany and Ghana will commit mistakes. Those mistakes will be punished,” Boateng in an interview with ESPN FC at Schalke’s Veltins Arena.

“When Cristiano Ronaldo is fit, it will be very difficult to beat Portugal. Germany, Ghana and the U.S. will take the points off each other.

“I don’t think both Boatengs will make it out of the group. In the end we’ll see who that will be.”

Despite many pundits view of seeing Germany top the group, the Schalke man believes they do not have the men to make the difference.

“The German team has world class players in every position, and that is their main problem,” he said. “They have so many good players, and need to win the World Cup or at least make it to the final.

“You need characters when you go into a tournament with so much pressure. I don’t see anyone who could handle this and might be able to carry the team along. The German team has an outstanding quality, they have players who can decide a game, but I think, really, you only need to be wary of Marco Reus.”

By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

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