All good things come to an end. On Dec 15, we’ll bid farewell to AIM. Thank you to all our users! #AIMemories https://t.co/b6cjR2tSuU pic.twitter.com/V09Fl7EPMx

— AIM (@aim) October 6, 2017

Michael Albers, VP of Communications Product at Oath — the Verizon subsidiary which owns both AOL and Yahoo — said in a Tumblr post that he understands how important AIM was to many people:

You likely remember the CD, your first screenname, your carefully curated away messages, and how you organized your buddy lists. Right now you might be reminiscing about how you had to compete for time on the home computer in order to chat with friends outside of school … In the late 1990’s, the world had never seen anything like it. And it captivated all of us.

I’m not sure how many people will mourn AIM’s loss on a practical level — I haven’t even heard of anyone using it in the last few years, which isn’t surprising given how many more sophisticated alternatives are available. That’s not a dig at the company, for the record: I actually still have my old AOL email address (it was my first, and I’m sentimental).

Whatever its value, or lack thereof, on a modern internet, it’ll be sad to see a piece of Internet history go after 20 years. The service officially shutters on December 15, 2017.

–

Source: The nextweb

The post AOL Instant Messenger to shut down after 20 years appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Kojo Yankah, the Ghana FA chairman in the Central Region is the latest name to say that Kwesi Appiah was sacked because he was disrespectful.

In the space of a few days, both Yankah and the FA’s spokesperson Ibrahim Sanni Daara have both hinted that this was the reason for axing the 54-year old coach.

“The decision to sack Kwesi Appiah was taken by the Executive Committee on Friday and not during our Thursday sitting,” Yankah said.

“We formed a quorum, so it made it possible for us to take a decision; hence any member who failed to attend is bounded by that decision.

“Kwesi was sacked because he disrespected us during the Black Stars press conference in Kumasi prior to the Ghana-Uganda Afcon qualifier; in a reaction to a question concerning whether he suggested the need to get him a technical adviser or not, Kwesi said it wasn’t his idea and even if the nation has money to hire him ten advisers he welcomes them.”

“As members of the Executive Committee we felt insulted and that influenced our decision regarding his future as the Black Stars trainer,” Kojo Yankah told Hot FM in Accra.

But there is a problem with this explanation, because another Executive Committee member says this is a lie.

Cudjoe Fianoo has challenged Yankah’s assertion, insisting that the committee never took such a decision on Thursday, when he was present.

Fianoo further says if such a conclusion was arrived at on Friday, then Yankah should produce minutes of that meeting, at which most members were not present.

Fianoo ventures: “We met on Thursday to discuss issues concerning the Ghana FA, but we never deliberated on the sacking of Kwesi Appiah. What we said concerning coaching was for the 3-member committee set-up to get a technical adviser for the Black Stars to submit their report.

“If they are saying a meeting was held on Friday and it was during that meeting, they took the decision to fire Kwesi Appiah and then the General Secretary should get us the minutes of the said meeting,” Fianoo finishes.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YuTusw6ebsXiI2nhZF1wX2frTbvrPnpx”]

Sanni makes similar claim

The post Two GFA officials: “Kwesi Appiah sacked because he disrespected us” appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He replaces the embattled Kwesi Appiah after Citi Sports indicated that the Serbian passed his interview on Thursday.

A former boss to Appiah between 2009 and when he unceremoniously left the team after South Africa 2010, “Milo” Rajevac was hugely popular for his results-oriented style.

He was appointed at a time his CV was wafer thin, and since he left the 60-year old has been largely inactive.

But having largely been the mastermind who molded the backbone of this current Ghana team to prominence, the FA believe he simply is the best fix for a country waiting for a major trophy in 33 years.

Citi Sports understands that Milo, at Thursday’s interview, flatly refused to be Appiah’s technical adviser.

Ghana are currently chasing a place at the next African Cup, after beating Togo 3-2 on Wednesday to go second in Group E behind Uganda.

MORE DETAILS: Rajevac to replace Kwesi Appiah

–

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

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Rajevac gets two year deal, refused technical adviser job – Citi Sources appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

British newspaper The Telegraph and Channel, in June, accused the Ghana Football Association and its President, Kwesi Nyantakyi of their involvement in deals to fix international friendly matches for the senior national football team, the Black Stars.

The newspaper claimed that “the President of Ghana’s Football Association agreed for the team to play in international matches that others were prepared to rig.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”bgmu7kiQDIrz8U3gRuZ86sXtfVHvQVdH”]World football governing body, FIFA, referred the matter back to the FA’s Ethics Committee after its preliminary investigation but announced it would “continue to monitor the investigations and any future proceedings.”

According to a statement on the GFA’s official website on Tuesday, the Ethics Committee had resolved that Mr. Nyantakyi “did nothing untoward in the alleged match-fixing arrangement.”

However, the Committee revealed that it was necessary to conduct further investigations into the two others implicated in the scandal, Obed Nana Kwame Nketiah and Mr. Christopher Forsythe.

The statement added that “the Committee chaired by Nana Adjei Ampofo heard:

– Oral evidence given by Obed Nana Kwame Nketiah, Mr. Christopher Forsythe and Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi.

– Written statements produced by FIFA’s Investigatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee and also by Obed Nana Kwame Nketiah, Mr. Christopher Forsythe and Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi.

– Video/audio evidence presented by the Investigatory Chamber of FIFA

– Correspondences between Channel 4 Dispatch and the Daily Telegraph on the one hand and Obed Nana Kwame Nketiah, Mr. Christopher Forsythe and Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi. ”

Mr. Nketiah and Mr. Forsythe when questioned by the committee are said to have confirmed that Mr. Nyantakyi was not informed “about their meetings and discussions with UK based company, Diamond Capital Management (DCM),who were desirous of doing business with the GFA in the organization of International friendly matches for the Ghana National Team on a long term basis.

According to them, Mr. Nyantakyi was “only told about the company’s interest in organizing international friendly matches for the national teams and that he had no knowledge of the wider dynamics involved.

After reviewing all the evidence before it, the Ethics Committee stated that: 

“Considering the evidence before us, we are of the view that Mr. Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association did nothing untoward in the alleged match fixing arrangement,” a statement by the Ethics Committee said.

“We accordingly absolve him of any attempt or preparation to do any match fixing or of any improper conduct.”

On both Mr. Nketiah and Mr. Forsythe, the Ethics Committee stated that:

“We, on the other hand, find a lot of questions and issues which need to be answered or explained by both Mr. Nketiah and Mr. Forsythe. Their roles and suggestions in discussions with the said Diamond Capital Management (DCM) officials and other related issues required further investigation.

“We have received a copy of a letter written by one lawyer Tuah Yeboah in which he alleges that his clients, Mr. Nketiah and Mr. Forsythe were only feigning interest; and another letter by a lawyer called Edward K. Oppong in which he denies any improper conducts on the part of his clients.

“We think that, for these reasons, it is necessary to conduct further investigations in the matter as it relates to Mr. Nketiah and Mr. Forsythe. We will accordingly give them an opportunity to appear before us again with their lawyers (if they so wishes) to explain the issues and answer questions.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nyantakyi cleared of match-fixing allegations appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVE OF DAILY SUMMARIES

DAY ONE | DAY TWO  |  DAY THREE  |  DAY FOUR |  DAY FIVE

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The effort to maximize Ghana’s participation at the 2014 Fifa World Cup yielded only 26,373 cedis.

This deduction came from the testimony provided by the eagerly anticipated appearance of former Youth and Sports minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah on Wednesday at the Dzamefe Commission.

The former minister spoke to several issues as he was interrogated by the Presidential Commission set up to look into the happenings of the World Cup.

Wednesday’s sitting was day 6 and covered only the preparatory stage of the Brazil 2014 process, therefore everything discussed was centred on what happened before the various delegations emplaned to Brazil.

There were several highlights, including some pricey stuff.

But the quote of the day came in the last ten minutes of the hearings when the former minister was being quizzed about details of accounts.

“My lord, some of your questions are like quadratic equations so it is difficult to answer them yes or no.”

That drew laughter all round, but there were a lot of serious highlights.

Waakye matters

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah revealed that there was no formal contract between the ministry and the caterers they employed for the tournament in Brazil.

He explained the three selected caterers were the popular Accra-based joints called Kenkey Boutique, Amber and Muni’s Waakye. These three were given letters to formalize the arrangement between the two parties, a situation which did not sit well with the commission.

Send off party

A farewell ball was hosted by the state for the Black Stars before their departure for pre-tournament games with the Netherlands and the USA in May.

This four hour event cost the taxpayer GHS 188,665.

Afriyie Ankrah explained that the  event – which had President John Mahama, prominent ex-footballers and high ranking football people in attendance – was used as a fund-raising initiative.

“We used that platform as an opportunity to auction materials that the president signed with his green pen too,” the sports minister noted of the event held on May 22.

8,700 visas were issued to Ghanaians for #WC2014. Sadly, NONE of Ghana’s former natl team players got visas by sports ministry.

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 20, 2014

The bank account

Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah confirmed what has been public knowledge that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had a bank account at the Zenith Bank that was used for official World Cup transactions.

Operating under the name MOYS – Brazil Fifa World Cup 2014, the account had four signatories from the sports ministry.

“My Lord, I would like to point out that I was not one of the signatories to this account,” Afriyie-Ankrah clarified.

How much was in the account?

Sponsors and well-wishers were publicly courted by the ministry to help the country in its quest to have a successful World Cup on all fronts. The amount realized, according to the minister, was 4,509,635 cedis ($1.16 million at current rates).

How much was spent?

The commission heard that Ghana spent 4,483,282.89 cedis ($1.21 million), which drew a low whistle from the chairman of the commission. That took the profit the government Ghana made to just 26,373 ($6,800).

How many sponsors contributed to the effort?

Justice Dzamefe challenged the minister on this point, after Afriyie-Ankrah had said only 23 sponsors had contributed to the effort.

Further probing revealed that the number was 41, with the commission asking him to provide further and better particulars later.

But they stopped short of asking him to provide the names in public, due to the possibility of offending some of the sponsors.

Four of the sponsors preferred to remain anonymous. But one key question was: how many supporters did the taxpayer pay to airlift to Brazil?

INFOGRAPH: Breakdown of $1.16 million Ghana’s Planning Committee for Brazil 2014 spent. #citisports pic.twitter.com/PkGVhY6KIl — Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 20, 2014

The Ghana support

This was one of the most intriguing parts of the day, as it was revealed that 612 fans were officially airlifted on the ticket of the government.

It emerged at the sitting that the sports ministry was initially not sure if they could pay for the penciled number.

“There was a lot of pressure for us to send them, and my seniors will tell you that support, motivation and inspiration plays a big role in football so we felt we must take a core group of supporters.”

“That’s official. So what was the unofficial number?” came the response from Moses Foh-Amoaning, a member of the commission.

Elvis responded: “696. At the camp when we took the official roll we realized that some people had managed to get into the camp that the committee did not send.”

Afriyie-Ankrah, having noted already that the camp capacity was 1000 people, pointed out that those who managed to sneak in were Ghanaians as well.

He admitted that the excess numbers were fed and housed by the ministry, saying that a list of all 696 was available.

“You did well [by hosting and housing them because] they were Ghanaians, but systems must work. You can’t tell the whole of Ghana that you are taking 612 and take care of that number.”

Also of interest was the fact that the former minister revealed an estimated 3000 supporters were airlifted to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, a fact which Foh-Amoaning was skeptical about.

Foh-Amoaning: “Are you sure about this? Can you provide proof, files and documentation? Can we have it?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Former Ghana sports minister speaking at #Brazil2014inquiry. Not allowed to use ppt as he wanted but speaking well. pic.twitter.com/NuZSSg7V8E

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 20, 2014

 Bonuses again

The former minister cleared the air on the thorny issue of the appearance fees wanted by the Black Stars players.

“They had asked for $120,000 [and later the Ministry and the FA] proposed that $100,000 [to be given to them],” Afriyie-Ankrah said.

“The FA brings proposals. We look at the proposals and then I have to take it to cabinet. So it when it got to cabinet said we can do $82,500, which is 10 percent [more than the amounts given] in 2010.”

The commission promised to go deeper into this issue on Thursday.

Other interesting costs

Out of the over four million cedis expended, GHS 1,953,96 was spent on accommodation and feeding in Brazil.

Also revealed was that GHS 16,700 was spent on media relations (which he clarified as not being payment to journalists) and GHS 519,035 on match tickets covering 612 fans.

The commission heard that a mobile application and website together cost GHS 22,857.

Citi Sports has found the website (click here) and the android mobile application, which received just over 100 downloads (click here).

Afriyie-Ankrah appears again on Thursday.

___

NEED SUMMARIES OF THE HEARINGS? CLICK HERE:

DAY ONE | DAY TWO  |  DAY THREE  |  DAY FOUR |  DAY FIVE

___

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

 Follow @garyalsmith

The post “The Commission’s questions are like quadratic equations” – Afriyie Ankrah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

FA officials tell Citi Sports that Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah himself will have a hand in who is chosen and subsequently, his scope of work.

Public opinion has been split on the necessity of the position, with many feeling an undermining of Appiah’s role is on the cards.

But Citi Sports understands that the new technical director will assist Appiah only for the duration of the Afcon 2015 qualifiers – where Ghana play Uganda, Guinea and Togo in Group E.

After the qualifiers are done by late November, there will be an assessment to determine if the technical director will be needed further.

The technical director will be on an initial six-month deal, sources say.

No fears

Meanwhile, a member of the three-man committee set up by the GFA to look for an occupant for the newly created position Fred Pappoe has been speaking to calm fears.

“Kwesi Appiah is the boss of the team so he must definitely have the last say on decisions,” Pappoe told supersport.com on Tuesday.

The decision to set up a committee was taken at the Executive Committee meeting on Monday following a review of the technical direction of the Black Stars.

But on a continent where history shows that technical directors typically contrive to evict incumbent coaches, it is understandable that Ghanaians remain wary of the whole arrangement.

“The coach had already told us he will like to have some sort of technical assistance,” Pappoe also told Metro FM in Kumasi.

“So the GFA is merely responding to the request made by the coach.”

The three-man committee, due to send its report to the Executive Committee next week, is headed by the GFA vice-president Fred Crentsil who will work with Pappoe and Francis Oti Akenteng.

Security of Appiah’s job

The cost of this technical director appointment is expected to be borne by the FA and the government but a key question has been how Appiah will be evaluated.

Citi Sports understands that Kwesi Appiah will lose his job altogether in the unlikely event that Ghana fails to qualify for Morocco 2015.

Kwesi Appiah is currently on a new two-year deal agreed to before the World Cup, which pays him $36,500 a month. Should the FA decide to fire him before that time, he would be entitled to compensation.

–

Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post “Technical director will be on six-month probation” – GFA sources appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

If that is what the government want to do with the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, they would have lost from the very beginning.

They would not beat the GFA – at least not at this place and time.

Rising resentment

It is true that you would find precious few who think the GFA’s current administration is not corrupt.

It is also true that knowing this, the government rode the wave of the Black Stars’ fantastic failure before and during the World Cup to constitute the three-man Commission to knock some sense into the FA in a nice way.

What the Commission can achieve is to further sully the reputation of the GFA in terms of how badly they managed the Black Stars’ technical direction in Brazil, as well as matters of indiscipline.

Because there would be crucial GFA general elections next year, this can damage the image of the current Kwesi Nyantakyi-led administration enough to get them out of power.

But the Commission, in fairness, have publicly said several times that demonizing the GFA is not their mission.

Let’s hope that is the case. Otherwise, they will fail.

This is why.   

1. Fifa has rules.

Like every other organization, the world football governing body has statutes detailing how member associations operate. It is important to note that Fifa does not lose anything if Ghana is banned.

Ghana needs Fifa more than Fifa needs Ghana, because the ordinary man on the street wants to be part of the global football family. Sepp Blatter would panic if England threatens to leave, but Ghana? Please.

2. You (Ghana) agreed to join Fifa.

Therefore, you agree to obey them. Else, if you think the Fifa kitchen is too hot, please get out.

3. Fifa have not said don’t punish corrupt officials.

They only say do not touch the structure of the FA.

Examples around Africa abound where Fifa has allowed governments to punish corrupt FA officials. Exactly a year ago this month, former Benin Football Federation president Anjorin Moucharafou was re-arrested and sent to jail two days after he declined to run for a third term.

He had been arraigned before a court in July 2011 for misappropriation of the federation’s funds, then he was remanded in custody at the Cotonou Civil Prison.

His crime? Anjorin had been accused of mishandling $650,000 sponsorship money from mobile phone company MTN between 2008 and 2010.

He was summoned alongside the Benin FA’s accountant Cecile Houssou for the same charges.

What did Fifa do? Nothing.

In fact, Fifa makes it a point to encourage member associations to be accountable to their governments and sponsors.

4. Most people think the GFA are afraid. Really?

Actually, they are not scared at all.

The FA are simply safeguarding the entire country from being banned because of the way the Commission of Inquiry kick-started its operations. It must be said that it’s largely for their own interests, and not because they love Ghana that much.

Article 279 of Ghana’s constitution says such a commission “shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial.”

By virtue of how it is formed, the Committee can pass judgment that CAN touch the structure of the FA.

And if that happens, Ghana will be banned. If the FA are afraid of anything, it is that the lucrative competitions they partake in are under threat because of a looming Fifa ban.

5. Can the Commission punish any FA official?

Even if they would, it would not be directly done.

If, as we saw in the case of Anjorin in Benin, if an FA official is found to have embezzled state funds, the Commission cannot by themselves sentence him to jail.

They would make recommendations at the end of their mandate that will allow the Ghana Police to begin prosecuting procedures.

6. Should the GFA have anything to fear?

No, they do not.

The GFA have always maintained that they did not have any direct involvement with the monies government gave for Ghana’s participation in Brazil.

In fact, there was no need to be involved because Fifa is thought to have given the FA up to $1.5 million for its preparations in Holland and the USA.

Despite not going through past the group stage, Ghana earned $8 million from playing the three matches in Brazil.

Therefore, the controversial $3 million the government airlifted during the tournament would be refunded by the FA as soon as Fifa make that money available.

7. Why has the sports minister suddenly gone quiet?

At the inauguration of the Commission of Inquiry, the recently-appointed sports minister made a promise that may haunt him badly.

Mahama Ayariga publicly promised the GFA that he will ensure the controversial clause (the one that hints that the GFA structure can be touched by the Commission if deemed fit) is removed.

As we speak, it is likely Ayariga is kicking himself for making that promise. It may become his first major mistake as minister of sport.

8. Is that why the GFA have suddenly started granting interviews?

Yes!

The Communications Director of the FA, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, has been on a charm offensive, featuring on major news networks since Monday. Before then, he had hardly spoken on this matter after the Commission was inaugurated.

Daara and the FA have been reminding the sports minister of the promise he made to remove the controversial clause.

Daara told Citi FM on Monday: “We want to hold the minister to his word – his word that he gave with the press there – that he says if Fifa has a problem with the terms of inquiry, he would do something about it. And that is where it must stop.

“We don’t want to get into a public flogging with the ministry. So that we are seen to be played according to the Fifa laws and we would not be told by Fifa that we are violating its rules and we would suffer in that light [by being banned].”

9. Who is winning the public relations battle?

It depends on which stations you believe, or which media outlets you subscribe to.

The FA is alleged to have certain media houses that carry their interest, and make no mistake, some of these are very influential.

The segment of Ghanaians who tune into these stations actively believe the Commission is not necessary.

By continuously granting interviews that remind the sports minister of his pledge, the GFA are subtly making Ayariga look like a troublemaker.

The government is losing ground because the Commission have pledged not to speak during the process. But what they do have is overwhelming public support as Ghanaians generally feel money was wasted in Brazil.

Even if the Commission completes its work and does not implicate the FA in anything, Nyantakyi and his people hope they would come out smelling better.

Focusing on the wrong people

Being a journalist offers one a certain kind of insight into niche topics and this is one.

I am fully convinced that the Presidential Commission are investigating the wrong people, because the biggest culprit of the Brazil 2014 fiasco has been moved from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to a position inside the Flagstaff House.

The government can (and should) punish any FA officials seen as embezzling money, after all they are Ghanaians and are subject to the laws of the land.

But that is unlikely, simply because the FA, if their rhetoric is to be believed, only used Fifa money throughout Brazil 2014.

Going forward

The Commission continues sitting on Wednesday.

People must understand that the Dzamefe Commission is not prosecutorial, but simply advisorial.

So for the many Ghanaians wishing for wholesale changes at the FA through a direct action from Justice Dzamefe and his learned colleagues, sorry, you will be disappointed.  

–

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

Follow @garyalsmith

The post AL-SMITH: Why Mahama’s commission of inquiry can’t beat the GFA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Ghana’s Black Stars were eliminated at the group stages and thus automatically earned the $8million amount just like the 15 other nations who could not make the Round of 16.

The Ghana FA is expected to return to government chest, half of the amount it sponsored on credit to foot the appearance fees bills of the entire Black Stars contingent to Brazil.

In the past few days, the Ghana FA has been deliberating on plans to judiciously use the remaining $4million into development of football in the country. The subject was also discussed at Thursday’s meeting of the Executive Committee.

–

Source: Footy Ghana

The post Ghana FA poised to receive $8M W/C prize money next week appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This will be in response to FIFA’s letter to the GFA inquiring about the Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate Ghana’s poor showing at the 2014 World Cup.

Speaking to Citi News,  Mr Ayariga confirmed that the Ministry has had discussions with the GFA about the implications of the letter from FIFA.

According to him, “the GFA has requested for a week of internal deliberation and will get back to government on the matter next week.”

Mr. Ayariga added that they would reconvene next week when they receive a response from the Ghana Football Association on the government’s request for a joint reply to FIFA.

The Communications Director at the GFA, Ibrahim Sanni Daara, had earlier confirmed to Citi News that the Association had been asked by FIFA to verify media reports they had received that a commission had indeed been set up by the government.

The world football governing body had also asked to be briefed on the powers and function of the commission and did not want to rely on media reports before making any decision.

FIFA is known to resent government interference in football associations.

Ghana would be hoping to avoid a ban from FIFA who have previously suspended several countries who have breached this code.

Nigeria was recently banned from international football for government interference, although the ban has since been lifted.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t to issue joint response with GFA to FIFA – Ayariga appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a statement on its official website, the GFA said that its Emergency Commitee had, quoting “article 10(2) of the General Regulations to back its decision,” branded the Kumasi-based club the ultimate champions for the season.

The winners of the Premier league traditionally face the winners of the FA Cup in a Super Cup match.

However, with Kotoko winning both competitions last season, the GFA has decided to name them “automatic champions.”

Article 10 (2) of the general Regulations state that the Ghana Football Association “may, however also, organize a ceremonial match between the club and either the runners up in the league or FA Cup for the purpose of awarding the trophy.”

The GFA has not, as yet, set a date for the match to officially award Kumasi Asante Kotoko the trophy.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GFA name Kotoko “champion of champions” of 13/14 season appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.