KOSSA in a statement signed by its president, Charles Nii Kwade Ofei-Palm, said inasmuch as the issues being raised are relevant to the progress of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and must be pursued to its logical conclusion, “this must be done without the current public accusations and counter accusations.”

“KOSSA therefore wish to appeal to the Hospital administration whose leadership has led to the peace the hospital is currently enjoying, and UniBank, which is also engaged in providing invaluable services to the hospital. KOSSA also recognizes the impact the public disagreement has on the operations of the institution, and strongly advocates for the cessation of all media banter, while we and other stakeholders take steps to amicably resolve the differences in ways that will inure to the benefit of our patients and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” KOSSA added.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4vEJLSyukvhQUfMzM9dI7sQREN2IbKR5″]The Senior Staff also appealed to President Akufo-Addo as well as the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, to help support the current efforts being made “at rebuilding Korle Bu and restoring its status as the Premier Teaching Hospital by the current CEO, Dr. Felix Anyah.”

Background

Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had decided to abrogate its contract with UniBank for the collection of revenue on its behalf.

The management of the hospital had complained about UniBank’s compatibility shortcomings with the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software which they said essentially led to revenue losses.

The hospital in a press statement, among other things accused UniBank of skipping a meeting to submit proposals for a new software for dealing with the revenue leaks.

It said Stanbic Bank, one of the institutions it engaged for the revenue collection project successfully presented a proposal, and was awarded the contract to pilot the new software in the entire hospital, which was valued at $240,000.

But Unibank debunked the claims describing it as “a total fabrication.”

UniBank doesn’t understand that we’re losing money

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer for Korle Bu, Mustapha Salifu, has insisted that UniBank Ghana Limited is yet to grasp the extent to which the hospital made losses due to the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software contract.

“If UniBank actually stated that we lied about revenue losses in the hospital, then it means they actually have not appreciated the complexities of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the reason for which we are asking for a system that will enable us to automate the service so that we will reduce human interference,” he said in a Citi News interview.

The A-Plus factor

The issue came to the limelight following some corruption allegations musician A-Plus, against two presidential staffers, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor.

A-Plus’ allegations had to do with a petition by UniBank to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated the existing Memorandum of Understanding with them without any reason, thus treating them unfairly.

A-Plus held that the two presidential staffers played a role in the matter, but his allegations were later described as “baseless” an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Korle Bu Senior staff call for ceasefire over UniBank contract appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr Offei-Palm, who was interdicted in April 2016, for allegedly flouting the hospital’s media policy and making some offensive comments against the management of the hospital, was reinstated last month after he was cleared of all allegations by the Ministry of Health.

[contextly_sidebar id=”vPkY1xEeq6GMPMA9DcJjibYlWDZhVG8A”]Addressing the press at a thanksgiving service, Mr. Charles Offei-Palm expressed gratitude to members of the Association for their continuous support and encouragement during his trial period.

According to him, the present outcome was a vindication of his stance for truth and justice.

“We shall be spectators, but gallant citizens and workers of a worthy institution. We, therefore, stand to rejoice with the Lord.”

He further lauded President Akufo Addo and his government for their timely intervention.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and a special commendation to the current Minister of Health, Hon. Agyemang Manu whose intervention has brought us this joy. Indeed, his intervention has also brought hope and we can now see light at the end of the tunnel in Korle Bu and in the Ministry of Health in general. I also say thank you to my able and humble executives who stood with me through this entire struggle.”

Why Offei-Palm sacked

The KOSSA president had accused the management of Korle-Bu of financial malfeasance, an accusation the management has denied.

About ninety percent of the members KOSSA passed a vote of no confidence in the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr. Gilbert Buckle, after accusing him of mismanaging the hospital’s internally generated funds and paying needless judgment debts while neglecting the welfare of staff of the hospital.

Charles Offei-Palm’s subsequent comment on the matter in a radio interview elicited anger from the hospital management who brought a case against him and referred it to the hospital’s disciplinary committee.

The committee decided to sack him in April 2016 after sitting on the case.

The dismissal letter said, “Following your interdiction and non-appearance for the disciplinary hearing, the Disciplinary Committee has proceeded in your absence and found you guilty of the offences leveled against you as per your interdiction letter. Upon the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee, your appointment with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is terminated with effect from 6th April, 2016.”

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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KOSSA welcomes Offei-Palm back after his reinstatement appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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Citi Sports editor Gary Al-Smith believes though Ghana did not field a first-string starting XI or anything close to it for the entire duration of the Netherlands friendly, there are problems. And some notable points as well.

1. Gyan is almost irreplaceable

If this were a bout, Asamoah Gyan’s perceived importance to the Black Stars would have been given a unanimous victory.

Voted only weeks ago as the 2013 Footballer of the Year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, there still remains a section of people who believe Gyan’s dominance of the UAE league does not make him good enough to be world class.

But even they cannot dispute the vacuum created when he is absent.

Against the Dutch, Jordan Ayew started up front. It was quickly clear that he was heavily reliant on balls from the midfield. Caught in that situation, Gyan – on the contrary – would drop and try to get the ball himself. He did that a lot during the qualifiers.

In a game where Ghana also recorded no shots on target, it is clear Gyan’s precociousness with long shots was missed.

Easily the Black Stars best striker in their last six tournaments, the former Sunderland man scored 45 goals in 42 games in the UAE this season and was joint-top scorer in the African World Cup qualifiers, together with Egypt’s Mohammed Aboutreika.

He’s still Ghana’s undisputed champion.

2. Schlupp gives Ghana hope at left-back. Accam too

The country woke up on Sunday morning to the news that Leicester City’s Jeffery Schlupp and Helsingborg’s David Accam had been axed from the team, with a horrible ankle injury forcing defender Jerry Akaminko to miss the flight to Brazil as well.

But in Schlupp, Ghana truly have a hope that the left-back problem that has worried the team for almost a decade, will be sorted out soon.

His display against the Netherlands may have been uninspiring, but Schlupp’s potential to be a starter for Ghana in the next year is there for all to see.

Having been consistent with his club and helping them on to promotion for next season’s English Premier League, the German-born player should get regular playing time in one of the world’s best leagues before Ghana’s next major tournament in January.

David Accam is a luxury at this point in time. There are players in the current team who easily beat him to a place in the team based on pragmatism alone.

They can do what Accam does – and they have experience to boot. He was competing for a place with Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu and Kwadwo Asamoah.

Tough luck.

3. Afriyie Acquah’s emphatic statement

Accam’s tough luck involved having some of Ghana’s best players to contend with. But with Michael Essien waning in power and durability, Afriyie Acquah (Parma, Italy) has come into the Ghana team at a time he will be badly needed.

Michael Essien’s career problems at national level are well documented, and you get the feeling that Kwesi Appiah wants to give the Bison a proper crack at a World Cup before he says farewell to the tournament.

But it’s difficult to see Essien playing consistent 90 minute games in Brazil.

Normally, Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia) would have been a naturally replacement. Unfortunately, he is also only recently coming back from injury and as evidenced against the Dutch, needs a few games to get into the groove.

Afriyie Acquah is red and ready, on the back of a strong season for Parma and looking very much like a 24-year old Michael Essien.

4. Kwarasey over Fatau Dauda, please

Any arguments about who should be in goal for Ghana must have been settled by now. Adam Larsen Kwarasey’s biggest problem has been a consistent lack of big game temperament.

Against the World Cup runners-up from the last time, he was sharp.

“If it wasn’t for their very good goalkeeper and our own carelessness, Ghana should have been down 3-0 at half time,” noted Louis van Gaal after the game.

Having not seen Kwarasey at such a level in a while, it was refreshing to see that he has added “the Schmeichel save” to his repertoire. Distribution has always been a strong point of his, as has reaction from long balls.

Ghana’s first choice until now has been South-Africa based Fatau Dauda, but his severe lack of games will make it hard to justify benching the Norway-based Kwarasey in Brazil.

5. The defence is a mess

The best known secret in Ghanaian football was blown to bits on Saturday night: the defensive situation borders on critical now.

Inexperience, lack of composure, lack of communication and general leadership problems highlighted the way the Stars played.

Even with Akaminko around, his partnership with Rashid Sumaila was exposed by the fluid Dutch attack.

Now that Jerry is out, what gives? Sumaila-Jonathan Mensah at center-back? A John Boye and Jonathan Mensah combo looks most likely, but that looks brittle against the kind of barrage likely to meet them against USA, Portugal and Germany.

Which takes us to the next point.

6. The Michael Essien issue

The 31-year old may have just reached a point in his career where he has to reinvent himself one final time.

When Jose Mourinho asked him to play at right back for Real Madrid, Ess immediately agreed and was fairly decent. Not close to sterling, but fairly decent.

This time, Michael will be needed as a center-back. Indeed, this option has been heavily discussed in the past month by local media and now it looks like a necessity.

His preferred defensive midfield role can be handled by a combination of either or all of Afriyie Acquah, Rabiu Mohammed and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.

Kwesi Appiah has told a few confidantes that he is seriously considering Essien as a center-half (what is traditionally called ‘a number four’), so that Jonathan Mensah or John Boye features as a center-back (‘number five’).

With Jerry Akaminko out due to injury, sources say this is now an almost dead certainty and will happen in at least one of the Ghana games in Brazil.

7. Albert Adomah was poor, but he will work

At first glance, it’s hard to see why Adomah is loved by the boss.

He seems like just a mechanical version of Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, but without the excess stopovers. Adomah is very English in his play down the flanks.

But his timing, concentration and work-rate against the Netherlands were horrible. So why is he going to Brazil?

Simply because against Holland, he had an off day. I struggle to recall when the Middlesbrough player has not played to instruction in a Ghana shirt, and that’s why he is on that plane.

I’ve interviewed Kwesi Appiah enough times to know that – like all coaches – anyone who does exactly as he says will be a favorite. A pastor calls this trait “obedience”. The football man calls it “tactical discipline.”

8. Kwadwo must take his place

You buy a Ferrari. You sit inside. You turn on the ignition. You expect a powerful, heart-pleasing roar from the engine’s bowels.

What you get is a meow.

That is Ghana’s situation with Kwadwo Asamoah. His tactical disposition is up there with the best of them, but he must know that great players are those who stand up to be counted in murky situations.

Kwadwo Asamoah has speed in abundance. He has creativity in ounces. He has power in that left-foot to deliver at least five long rangers a game.

But he chooses to simply run and down the wings, link up and do an efficient job.

It is even embarrassing to remember that a few years ago, Asamoah was offered the legendary number ten shirt as heir to Stephen Appiah and let it go because of the pressure associated with it.

If Ghana should go far in Brazil, certain players must fulfill the destiny their immense talent requires. The Juventus man is on top of that list.

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

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Analysis: Kwesi Appiah’s 8 observations from Netherlands 1-0 Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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Special Ivory Coast edition: Didier Drogba speaks from the heart about wanting to break his nation’s World Cup group stage hoodoo.

With 13 days to start Brazil 2014, we hear from Ivorian coach Sabri Lamouchi and striker Salomon Kalou on the pressure to deliver for millions of frustrated fans.

Victor Ikpeba, 1997 African Footballer of the Year rewinds time to *that* infamously disallowed penalty of Afcon 2000. Plus he’s sure that at least one African side will go very far in Brazil. (by GH One TV’s Samuel Bartels)

New Ghana sensation Abdul Majeed Waris has scored nine Ligue 1 goals in 2014 – more than any other player in the league – except Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The former Swedish league goal king opens up for a lengthy chat (by GH One TV’s Samuel Bartels, with Nathan Quao and Jesse Amponsah)

And who wins our Samsung Galaxy S3 mini this week?

_

Presented by Gary Al-Smith and produced by Nathan Quao/Gary Al-Smith for Citi FM & Supersport.com. Aired: May 30, 2014.

**Soundtrack details**
Song Title: Someway Bi
Artist Name: M.anifest
Produced by: Yung Fly
Singitdamnit Music/Cumbancha Music Publishing (BMI) 2013

More detail: www.facebook.com/FCAfricaRadio

The post FC Africa 12: Drogba’s Ivorian dreams, Victor Ikpeba exclusive & Majeed Waris speaks appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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Special Ghana edition with 19 days to kickoff of Brazil 2014. Featuring:

– Ghana boss Kwesi Appiah gives a very, very rare exposé into the way he tactics are shaped, why he thinks the way he does and how a recent trip to Liverpool FC has altered his perceptions about player scouting and analytics (courtesy Standard Chartered Bank and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation).

– Asamoah Gyan tells of how dangerous Cristiano Ronaldo will be, importance of winning the first World Cup game vs USA and how *that* penalty misses in 2010 spurs him to redeem Ghana’s place in World Cup history (with Samuel Bartels, GH One TV)

– Algeria have named a not-to-surprising but nonetheless slightly-shocking 30-man team for the World Cup. What’s there to look out for? (with Maher Mezahi)

Who wins our Samsung Galaxy S3 mini this week?

_

Presented by Gary Al-Smith and produced by Nathan Quao/Gary Al-Smith for Citi FM & Supersport.com. Aired: May 2, 2014.

**Soundtrack details**
Song Title: Someway Bi
Artist Name: M.anifest
Produced by: Yung Fly
Singitdamnit Music/Cumbancha Music Publishing (BMI) 2013

More detail: www.facebook.com/FCAfricaRadio

The post FC Africa 11: Gyan exclusive, what Brendan Rodgers taught Kwesi Appiah & Algeria’s army appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

FIGHT TO THE END #TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/MGufFUyi5o

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 11, 2014

Manchester City v West Ham (Kickoff: 2pm)

Manchester City require just one point against West Ham United to almost guarantee their second Premier League title in three years.

West Ham go into the game at the Etihad Stadium safe from relegation but failure to earn any points in Manchester could see the Hammers drop as low as 16th position.

Liverpool v Newcastle (Kickoff at 2pm)

Liverpool go into their match with Newcastle United on Sunday knowing that only three points will do if they are to retain any hope of winning the Premier League title.

Manchester City will secure the league trophy if they avoid defeat to West Ham United, but if they slip up against the Hammers, the Merseyside outfit can step in with a victory over the Magpies.

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew enters the fixture fighting for his job at St James’ Park, and not even three points could be enough to ease the backlash from the club’s supporters.

DIRECTIONS TO EPO SPOT

By private car:

From Kwame Nkrumah Circle, drive to the Danquah Circle, take the turn into Oxford Street. Count five junctions on your right from the Danquah Circle and you will see the Frankies Hotel. Take that right turn. At the first junction on your left, ask for the Epo Spot. There will be someone there to direct you. See you soon!

From 37, drive to the Togo Embassy Roundabout, and then to the Danquah Circle. Drive along the Oxford Street, counting five junctions on your right from the Danquah Circle and you will see the Frankies Hotel. Take that right turn. At the first junction on your left, ask for the Epo Spot. There will be someone there to direct you. See you soon!

By Trotro: 

From Kwame Nkrumah Circle, take a bus that is going to Osu which costs one cedi. Tell the driver you will alight at Frankies Hotel. Epo Spot is a 50 metre-walk from Frankies Hotel. See you soon!

From the 37 station, take a trotro that’s going to Osu. Costs one cedi fifty pesewas (GHS 1.5). Tell the driver you will alight at Frankies Hotel. Epo Spot is a 50 metre-walk from Frankies Hotel. See you soon!

From the Accra Mall, take a trotro at the bus stop near African Regent Hotel to 37 (70 pesewas). From the 37 station, take a trotro that’s going to Osu. Costs one cedi fifty pesewas (GHS 1.5). Tell the driver you will alight at Frankies Hotel. Epo Spot is a 50 metre-walk from Frankies Hotel. See you soon!

By taxi:

From Kwame Nkrumah Circle, take an Osu taxi at the station near Provident Insurance. It costs one cedi fifty pesewas. (GHS 1.5). Tell the driver you’ll alight at Frankies Hotel. Epo Spot is a 50 metre-walk from Frankies Hotel. See you soon!

From 37, take an Osu-bound taxi, alight at Frankies Hotel. Epo Spot is a 50 metre-walk from Frankies Hotel. See you soon!

DIRECTIONS WITH YOUR PHONE 

If you are on Android or iOS and are coming to Epo from Nkrumah Circle, 37 Military Hospital and the Accra Mall, then please click any of the following maps that direct you from one of the three places.

From Kwame Nkrumah Circle

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From 37 Military Hospital

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From the Accra Mall

REMEMBER: Our live broadcast begins at 1pm!

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

Follow @garyalsmith

The post #CitiSports Judgment Day: Final EPL Roadshow hits Epo Spot appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Is it going to happen again?

Sources tell Citi Sports that the contract of Kwesi Appiah, the current coach, reportedly expires on July 18 this year.

Bigwigs in the football fraternity are chewing on the topic.

FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi believes coach Kwesi Appiah has done more than enough to earn an extension.

“Kwesi Appiah has done very well to be the first indigenous coach to qualify the team to the World Cup. He just didn’t qualify us but he did it in grand style – smashing teams six, four and so on.

“But it is a decision that will be taken at the Executive Committee level but personally I have been very impressed by his work.”

Kwesi Appiah has won 58.3% of his games in all – competitive or otherwise – and his failure to beat any non-African teams in addition to not winning the 2013 African Cup are widely seen as blips.

“Do it before Brazil starts”

Former Ghana FA boss Ben Koufie also wants Kwesi Appiah’s contract to be renewed before the 2014 World Cup.

“Kwesi (Appiah) has done extremely well to deserve contract extension. There is no need to delay in renewing his mandate. In my view we should extend his contract before the World Cup.

“He needs to focus on the job and therefore we should not leave the matter of contract renewal hanging on his head. To qualify a country to the World Cup is no mean achievement. We need to impose confidence in him by giving him a new deal.”

The danger

These calls from Nyantakyi and Koufie are legitimate because with  three months to the end of the deal, Kwesi Appiah will have the freedom to begin talking with potential employers elsewhere should the FA not talk about renewal now.

But Citi Sports understands that the FA are planning to give him a new deal soon.

Public opinion

On Citi Sports’ African football show – done in collaboration with supersport.com –  that airs on Fridays, FC Africa, BBC journalist Michael Oti-Adjei and veteran journalist Christopher Opoku provided professional insight into the two year tenure of the coach.

The discussion was driven by the public’s views on social media.

@oluwashina @garyalsmith He failed to win Afcon 2013 by selecting poor players but he’s done well as native coach to take Ghana to WorldCup!

— coudjoe amankwaa (@coudjoeamankwaa) April 11, 2014

@garyalsmith his success is geting the stars to score more goals in a single game.Failure,team nt living up to expectations at the ACN in SA — Ebo Dadzie (@Ebo_dadzie) April 11, 2014

@garyalsmith Bad: hasn’t really made an effort to find a replacement for Gyan up front. Created a reliance on him. Agree with Maher’s also. — Säm Crocker (@Sam_Crock) April 11, 2014

@garyalsmith he has been under some element of luck though. but his tactics are questionable. and also failing to win #afcon is a bit failur

— Jermpapa Kabore (@Jermpopito) April 11, 2014

@garyalsmith I think his substitutions have been his weakness but qualifying us to the world cup is his success

— musah walbi zenabu (@zenabuwalbi) April 11, 2014

@garyalsmith Kwesi Appiah is a good coach but I fear for him when i comes to making bold decisions when Ghana is on the losing side — Stephen K. Assan (@pakashassan) April 11, 2014

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

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Debate: Should Kwesi Appiah’s contract be renewed before the World Cup? appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.