Gov't Stops AMA Boss...Don't Change Name Of Hockey Pitch

Information available to peacefmonline.com indicates that government has asked the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to rescind its decision to name the National Hockey Pitch after late President John Evans Atta Mills. According to sources, the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani summoned AMA authorities today and gave them the presidential order to immediately reverse the renaming of the national hockey pitch. It is believed the presidency was not informed before the decision was taken. A statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday July 25, 2013, said the presidency ordered the reversal of the name-change because there was no prior notification. The AMA has come under hot fire after the assembly decided to change the name of the National Hockey Pitch from �Theodosia Okoh National Hockey Pitch� to �John Evans Atta Mills National Hockey Stadium�. According to the AMA Boss, the assembly decided to change the name to honour the memory of the late Professor and to show appreciation for his contribution towards the sport in the country. Several people including the woman at the midst of the controversial name-change, Madam Theodosia Salome Okoh, have expressed indignation at the decision by the AMA. In what may seem an intervention from the presidency, the Accra Mayor was called to explain the basis for his decision and was asked to with immediate effect overturn it. Madam Okoh upon hearing the news and in an interview on Citi Eye witness news, Thursday, expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the swift intervention. "If my name is there and you want to give it back to me, I thank you (President Mahama)...," she intimated.