Bechem United communication director Emmanuel Gyasi Atuahene has revealed that the club sold their talisman Hafiz Wontah Konkoni to Tanzanian giants Young Africans for $100,000.

Konkoni, who bagged 16 goals last season in Ghana Premier League attracted several interest including Sudanese powerhouse Al Hilal and local giants Hearts of Oak.

However, Bechem opted to make business with Yanga since the player could not agree personal terms with Hilal while Hearts of Oak struggled to match up with their asking price.

“I can confirm that Hafiz Konkoni was sold for $100,000 with 20% onwards transfer for Bechem,” Atuahene told Kumasi-based Akoma FM in an exclusive interview on Sunday.

“Hearts of Oak couldn’t have purchased Konkoni because what they offered on the table was just 10 per cent of what Young Africans offered for him.

“Konkoni was initially heading to Al Hilal of Sudan but due to personal terms which couldn’t go well he came back to Ghana and luckily Yanga showed up and they were willing to meet our demands,” he added.

Konkoni has become the second player Bechem have sold to a Tanzanian club in two years after they transferred Augustine Okrah to Simba last season following a blistering campaign in Ghana Premier League.

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Karela United FC midfielder Philip Flamini has been remanded by a Ghanaian court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl whose name has been withheld, AshesGyamera.com can report.

The young footballer who has been quite impressive for the Ghana Premier League side based in Ainyinase in Western Region since joining them was touted to be a future star but his lack of discipline could bring the curtains down on his career sooner than later.

He was dragged to the court on Wednesday for allegedly defiling a young girl and although he was reluctant initially to open up on his deeds, the footballer later admitted to have had sexual intercourse with the underage girl.

However, Flamini insisted that it was the young girl who lured him into the act since he wasn’t ready to do it and the judge adjourned the case to next week to gather more evidences.

“At the court, he confessed to defiling the girl,” the Social Welfare boss in the area told reporters after the hearing.

“He also alleged the victim rather lured him into committing the act. He has been remanded to reappear a week later,” the Social Welfare capo added.

According to the laws of Ghana and many other countries, Flamini could be sentenced to at least ten years in prison if found guilty of the charges levelled against him since it is a serious offence.

Trial lawyers will tell you that defilement cases are first heard at the magistrates’ court. Dissatisfied convicts are at liberty to appeal to the High Court. The High Court, being a court of first appeal, is guided by the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the case of Okeno v Republic [1972] E.A.32. 

In the said decision, it was held that the trial court has the advantage of observing the demeanor of the witnesses and hearing them give evidence and hence the High Court in dealing with the appeal is obligated to give allowance for that.

The ingredients of the offence of defilement are set out in section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act as follows;-

a)    Proof of penetration

b)   Proof that the complainant is a child (Under the age of 18)

c)    Proof that the accused was indeed properly identified as the perpetrator

In G O A v Republic [2018] eKLR, agreeing with a plethora of other case law on defilement, it was held;-

“The key ingredients of the offence of defilement include proof of the age of the complainant, proof of penetration and proof that the appellant was the perpetrator of the offence.”

The evidence of a single witness, the victim, is sufficient without need of corroboration. Section 124 of the Evidence Act Cap 80 Laws of Kenya provides as follows:-

“Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19 of the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, where the evidence of alleged victim admitted in accordance with that section on behalf of the prosecution in proceedings against any person for an offence, the accused shall not be liable to be convicted on such evidence unless it is corroborated by other material evidence in support thereof implicating him.

Provided that where in a criminal case involving a sexual offence the only evidence is that of the alleged victim of the offence, the court shall receive the evidence of the alleged victim and proceed to convict the accused person if, for reasons to be recorded in the proceedings, the court is satisfied that the alleged victim is telling the truth.”

In Julius Kiunga M’birithia v Republic [2013] eKLR it was held;-

“Indeed, case law has always insisted that there is no legal prohibition on convicting on the evidence of identification by a single witness, except that the court should take extreme care to eliminate any possibility of mistaken identity.”

In Chila v Republic (1967) EA 722 at 273 the predecessor of our Court of Appeal held;

“The law of East Africa on corroboration in sexual cases is as follows. The judge should warn the assessors and himself of the danger of acting on the uncorroborated evidence testimony of the complainant, but having done so he may convict in the absence of corroboration if he is satisfied that her evidence is truthful. If no such warning is given then the conviction will normally be set aside unless the appellate court is satisfied that there has been no failure of justice’’.

Proof of penetration

In Mark Oiruri Mose vs R (2013) eKLR the Court of Appeal stated thus:

“Many times the attacker does not fully complete the sexual act during commission of the offence. That is the main reason why the law does not require that evidence of spermatozoa be availed. So long as there is penetration whether only on the surface, the ingredient of the offence is demonstrated, and penetration need not be deep inside the girl’s organ….’ (emphasis added).

In Erick Onyango Ondeng v. Republic (2014) eKLR the Court of Appeal held;

“In sexual offences, the slightest penetration of a female sex organ by a male sex organ is sufficient to constitute the offence. It is not necessary that the hymen be ruptured.

There is no need to call each and every witness, the prosecution is at liberty. Section 143 of the Evidence Act provides that:

“No particular number of witnesses shall, in the absence of any provisions of law to the contrary be required for the proof of any fact.”

Can another doctor , apart from the one who examined the victim, produce the report as evidence in court?

If the doctor who examined the victim is not readily available to attend trial without some difficulty or is dead, another doctor can produce the report and will be admissible as evidence. Section 33 of the Evidence Act provides:-

“statements, written or oral, of admissible facts made by a person who is dead, or who cannot be found, or who has become incapable of giving evidence or whose attendance cannot be procured, or whose attendance cannot be procured without an amount of delay or expense which in the circumstances of the case appears to the court unreasonable are themselves admissible ……..”

Section 77 of the Evidence Act provides:-

“(1) in criminal proceeding any document purporting to be a report under the hand of a government analyst or of any geologist employed in the public service upon any matter or thing submitted to him for examination or analysis may be used in evidence.”

In the Gerald Ngaragari Gachohi v Republic [2017] eKLR the court explained the above provisions of the Evidence Act as folows;-

“To my mind, and in the context of this case, the two sections contemplate a situation where the doctor or clinical officer giving evidence knows the doctor who had filled the P3 form. In effect he should be conversant with his handwriting and signature. Dr. Kamiti had worked with Dr. Wahome for 2 years and hence was acquainted with his handwriting and signature. On the premises, I find that the P3 form was admissible and that Sections 33 as read with 77 of the Evidence Act were complied with.”

What is the proper sentence for a child offender of defilement under the sexual Offences Act?

“Where the person charged with an offence under this Act is below the age of eighteen years, the court may upon conviction, sentence the accused person in accordance with the provisions of the Borstal Institutions Act and the Children’s Act.”

The post Why Karela United midfielder Flamini is likely to face ten-year jail sentence for defilement first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Aduana Stars coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has been charged by Ghana Football Association after his side shared the spoils 1-1 with Akyem Kotoku Royals in Ghana Premier League on Monday at Dawu.

After taking the lead through young striker Mintah, the league leaders were pegged back deep in the game and went on to drop two vital points which led to him going ballistic after the game.

“Not the results I’m looking for but I’m highly disappointed in the referee in the second half because every ball that we came to tackle here is a foul against us,” Fabin said in Post match interview with StarTimes.

” Look at the number of free kicks he gave them (Kotoku Royals) in the second half. Is that how we want a worthy champion of the league? I never talk about referees but I’m highly disappointed for what he has done today,” he added.

The charges are specifically related to comments made by the coach during a post-match interview regarding the match official.

These remarks are alleged to have undermined the fairness of the premier league and constituted an attack on the referee’s integrity, actions that have the potential to harm the reputation of the game.

Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has been given till Thursday, May 4, 2023 to submit his response to the charges.

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Hearts of Oak lost yet another game in the space of four days as they were thrashed 4-1 by Tamale Cities on matchday 28 of Ghana Premier League at Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale on Wednesday.

Two goals from Sampson Eduku and one each from Yahaya Mohammed and Isaac Mensah did the damage for the league debutants.

Victor Aiddo, however, scored a consolation goal for the visitors who have dropped six points in a row in their bid to win the league title this season.

The post Highlights: Tamale City tear apart Hearts of Oak in Premier League first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Asante Kotoko were humbled 2-0 at home by Medeama on matchday 23 of Ghana Premier League at Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

A goal in each half of the game were all what Medeama needed to hand Kotoko their first defeat at home as they missed their top striker Steven Dese Mukwala.

Medeama broke the deadlock by the 14th minute through Sowah and despite offside protests from the hosts, the referee stood on his grounds and awarded the goal.

Vincent Atinga added another goal from the spot after his teammate Fordjour was brought down by Andrews Appau.

The defeat means that Kotoko have failed to pick a point at home for the first time this season.

The post Asante Kotoko 0-2 Medeama: Atinga & Sowah hand Porcupines their first defeat at home first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Ghana forward Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has officially been unveiled by Swiss club FC Zurich.

The 21-year-old, who was named in Ghana’s squad for 2022 Fifa World Cup staged in Qatar last month, was linked with many clubs including Sudanese giants Al Hilal in a transfer fee rumoured around $1 million.

The youngster has been tipped to blossom in Europe after series of inspiring performances in Ghana Premier League and Ghana national teams.

Barnieh helped Hearts to win Ghana Premier League and FA Cup in 2021.

The post Official: FC Zurich unveils former Hearts of Oak striker Afriyie Barnieh first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Asante Kotoko failed to pick three points once again as they were pipped 2-1 by Real Tamale United at Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale on Saturday night.

After sharing the spoils 1-1 in midweek with Legon Cities at home, Kotoko came into the game with their eyes set on three points.

Fortunately, Cameroonian winger Georges Mfegue got the opening goal of the game for the visitors by the 43rd minute as they continued to pile pressure on their hosts.

However, RTU pulled even after the break against the run of play. Issah Kuka slotted home from close range after a defensive break down.

Abagna added the winning goal on 63rd minute for RTU to set the stadium on fire.

Deep in additional time, RTU were saved by the wood work as Justice Blay’s header rattled the crossbar.

Kotoko sit third on the log with 14 points, two points behind leaders Aduana Stars who have a game in hand.

The rest of the games have been scheduled to take place on Sunday. The Premier League will then go on a break as 2022 Fifa World Cup begins in Qatar.

Ghana have been paired with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay and will play their first game against Portugal on Thursday November 24.

The post RTU 2-1 Asante Kotoko: Abagna seals victory over Kotoko in Tamale [Watch all goals & offside claims] first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Ashanti Gold are on the verge of entering another legal tussle with Ghana Football Association few weeks after successfully placing an injunction on 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season, AshesGyamera.com can report.

The Obuasi-based club’s top hierarchy, who are already challenging what they term as ‘unfair’ demotion from Ghana’s top flight to the third tier despite initially being found guilty of match-fixing, believe they are being sabotaged after the sale of former striker Yaw Annor to Egyptian club Ismaily was not sanctioned by the Football Association.

Annor, who won Ghana Premier League goal king last season after netting 22 goals, signed a reported five-year deal with Ismaily on July 5 under the supervision of AshantiGold bankroller Kwaku Frimpong.

However, after Ismaily officially wrote to Ghana FA for International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to register Annor for the new season, their request was turned down citing ‘other reason.’

Ghana FA interestingly gave a remark that Annor can only be registered as a FREE AGENT since “the club AshantiGold has been suspended by the GFA and therefore cannot transfer players.”

“The player can therefore be registered as a FREE PLAYER by your club,” the remark added.

This implies that Ashanti Gold do not have the right to sell the player to Ismaily and will not officially receive any transfer fee neither will they also have any percentage of a potential onward transfer should Annor leaves Ismaily one day.

Moreover, Ghana FA will not receive the mandated ten per cent from the initial total transfer fee to Ashanti Gold and that decision has gotten Dr. Kwaku Frimpong and his management infuriated and have threatened to test the law once again.

It will be recalled that Ashanti Gold were demoted to third tier (second division) on May 16 after they were found guilty of playing match of convenience against Inter Allies during 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.

Ashanti Gold thrashed Inter Allies 7-0 with defender Hasmin Musa scoring two own goals in the process. After the game, Musa revealed that he scored the own goals to destroy a correct scoreline that was arranged ahead of kick off.

The club president Dr. Kwaku Frimpong was charged for breaching Article 27(1)(2) of the GFA Code of Ethics 2019; Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary
Code, 2019, and Article 34(5)(a)(b) of the GFA Premier League Regulations 2019 and later found guilty, fined $13,000 and banned from football and it related activities for ten years.

However, Ashanti Gold were allowed to complete the previous season since the entire decision was expected to take effect from the start of 2022/23 football season.

After only three matches into the new season, the Premier League was halted as Ashanti Gold filed an injunction at Accra’s Human Rights Court arguing that the Ghana FA’s decision to demote the club had infringed its rights as they were denied the proceedings used to rule against them.

The case has been adjourned to October 20 and the judge is expected to enter into the matter deeply as a hearing is expected to take place.

The post Exclusive: AshantiGold set to drag Ghana FA to court over ‘cancellation’ of Yaw Annor’s transfer to Ismaily first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.

Ghana Premier League side King Faisal have officially parted ways with their coach Branko Bozovic.

Bozovic failed to pick a single point after three games in charge this season; losing to Berekum Chelsea, Aduana and Great Olympics

He joins Samuel Boadu as coaches sacked so far.

Reports in the local media suggest that former Asante Kotoko assistant coach Prince Acheampong Sabuto could be named to take the club on an interim basis.

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Asante Kotoko shared the spoils 1-1 with bitterest rivals Hearts of Oak on matchday three of Ghana Premier League at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

Kotoko came into the game on the back of a disappointing performance in Caf Champions League as they were eliminated by Burkina Faso champions RC Kadiogo.

Despite coming close on several occasions to break the deadlock against Hearts, goalkeeper Richmond Ayi was always available to save the Phobians.

However, Kotoko finally found a breach in Hearts’ defence to open the scoring after the break. Defender Yussif Mubarik shot Kotoko into the lead by the 57th minute from a rebound after Ayi’s initial save from a free-kick.

Kotoko appealed for a penalty on two different occasions after Steven Mukwala appeared to have been brought down in the box but referee Yao Bless did not award any.

Hearts drew level on 87th minute through defender Caleb Amankwah. The lanky centre-back connected a free-kick which went past goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim. Although, Kotoko appealed for offside and wanted the goal to be overturned, the referee awarded it to Hearts.

The post HIGHLIGHTS: Watch all the goals, penalty appeals as Kotoko drew with Hearts first appeared on AshesGyamera.Com.