Liverpool, a prominent force in English football, is reportedly on the verge of activating an £85 million release clause to secure the services of Ghanaian sensation Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.
Renowned journalist Ibrahim Sannie Daara has brought forward this news, indicating that negotiations between the two clubs are progressing rapidly, with Liverpool eager to finalize the deal and agree on personal terms with the player.
Seen as a crucial addition to their squad, especially with the impending arrival of Dutch coach Arne Slot, Liverpool holds the 23-year-old former Ajax player in high esteem.
With Liverpool’s intentions clear, the coming days will be decisive in determining the outcome of the deal.
Despite Liverpool’s interest, other top European clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have also shown preliminary interest in securing Kudus’s services.
Since joining West Ham from Ajax last summer, the 23-year-old midfielder has been a standout performer, amassing an impressive record of 13 goals in all competitions, including seven in the Premier League, along with six assists in 32 appearances.
Atletico Madrid is currently leading the pack in the pursuit of Man Utd forward Mason Greenwood for a potential summer transfer.
Exclusive sources from TEAMtalk reveal that this move could see Greenwood joining forces with a notable Old Trafford disappointment.
Greenwood has been making waves in Spain during his loan spell at Getafe this season, catching the eye of Atletico scouts with his impressive performances.
The talented forward has notched up 10 goals and six assists in 33 appearances across all competitions during his time at Getafe.
Manchester United is reportedly willing to offload Greenwood for the right price this summer to bolster their transfer budget, with hopes of securing top-tier signings.
Given that Greenwood is a homegrown talent developed through United’s ranks, his sale would represent a significant profit for the club.
While Getafe is keen on securing Greenwood for another season, they are unable to afford his permanent acquisition, with United valuing him at around £40 million.
Although reports from Spain suggest United is holding out for as much as €60 million (£52 million) for Greenwood, sources close to TEAMtalk reveal that he is available for a more reasonable fee of £40 million, which has piqued Atletico’s interest.
While clubs in Italy and Germany, including Serie A giants Juventus, have shown interest in Greenwood, Atletico is reportedly confident of securing his signature.
Should Greenwood make the move to Wanda Metropolitano, he would find himself playing alongside former Manchester United flop Memphis Depay next season.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that 22-year-old defender Josko Gvardiol initially struggled to adapt at the Premier League club but has since gained confidence, especially with his recent goal-scoring contributions during the title run-in.
Gvardiol, who plays as a left back, joined the treble winners from German club RB Leipzig in August, signing a five-year deal for a reported fee of 90 million euros ($97 million).
Despite not scoring in his first 32 appearances for City, the Croatian international has now scored five goals in his last seven matches, significantly aiding his team’s pursuit of a record fourth successive title.
“And you cannot forget it is his first Premier League season… so it is not easy to handle it and he struggled in the beginning a little bit, because he came into a team that had just won the treble and he was a little bit shy.
“He signed for many, many years and he has proved to himself that he can do it and play with us.”
Guardiola gave his players three days off after their 5-1 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.
“On the first day, he (Gvardiol) went into the training centre to make a recovery, so his focus is football and he wants to be better and better and when this happens, you have something special on your hands,” the Spaniard said.
City, second in the table with 85 points and one behindArsenal who have played a game more, travel to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Ensuring the safety of both fans and players presents a daunting challenge for Germany as it prepares to host Euro 2024 this summer, amid a tense global climate marked by significant conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
From the potential threat of hooligans to the risk of terrorist attacks and cyberattacks, the organisers of the European Championship will need to be vigilant against a range of potential dangers.
Security forces will be tasked with safeguarding approximately 2.7 million fans, overseeing the security of 24 team base camps scattered across the country, and protecting the ten stadiums where 51 matches are scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 14.
Additionally, designated fan zones are anticipated to draw in around 12 million visitors, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures to mitigate any potential risks.
No leave for police “Each country knows its troublemakers better than any other, and the foreign experts present in Neuss will be able to identify them more quickly,” Oliver Strudthoff, director of the IPCC, told AFP.
“The size of the delegations will depend on the number of fans and how potentially dangerous they are. England, for example, will have many more representatives than Switzerland,” he said.
During the matches, full staffing will be in effect as police officers are prohibited from taking leave throughout the tournament.
Furthermore, Germany will implement security checks at all nine of its borders.
“On trains and in stations, the federal police will be visibly stepping up their presence,” said a spokesman for the German interior ministry. The same applies to airports.
French gendarmes will assist the German police by conducting joint rail patrols on routes to and from France, as well as providing security at matches involving the French team.
Meanwhile, the British government has announced that over 1,600 English and Welsh supporters who have been issued stadium bans due to past violent behaviour will be prohibited from travelling to Germany for the duration of the tournament.
Barcelona is focusing on securing a defensive pivot before pursuing the signing of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, according to reports from Sport.
The club has identified the need for explosiveness on the left wing, with 21-year-old Williams being their preferred choice among players within their reach.
While Barcelona considers a transfer fee of just over €50 million to be reasonable, they acknowledge Athletic’s renewal of Williams’ contract in December as a logical step.
Williams’ profile, age, price, explosiveness, familiarity with LaLiga, and linguistic abilities make him a top priority for Barcelona.
The only concern is his potential lack of creativity in static situations, although alternatives like Luis Díaz are deemed unaffordable.
Once Barcelona secures a defensive pivot, potentially targeting Joshua Kimmich or Martín Zubimendi, they could adopt a classic 4-3-3 formation with Williams on one wing and Lamine Yamal on the other.
Meanwhile, Manchester United officials have acknowledged that Old Trafford struggled to withstand unprecedented rainfall following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Sources indicate that this incident underscores the necessity for stadium development, aligning with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitions.
Ratcliffe, present at the game, prefers building a new stadium near Old Trafford, with discussions also exploring the redevelopment of the existing facility.
United’s commitment to stadium improvements is evident from the establishment of a taskforce in March, led by figures like Lord Sebastian Coe and former captain Gary Neville.
Before the Arsenal match, Ratcliffe engaged in discussions with key stakeholders, highlighting the importance of enhancing the stadium infrastructure.
England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, labeling it as an “amazing tournament.”
However, he has declined to confirm whether he will extend his tenure beyond this year.
At 53 years old, Southgate’s contract is set to expire in December. Sources close to ESPN indicate that the Football Association is eager for him to continue as manager, potentially leading the Three Lions into the first-ever 48-team World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Further reports from ESPN suggest that Southgate is being seriously considered as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag if Manchester United opts to part ways with the Dutch coach in the near future.
Southgate previously deliberated over his future following England’s quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup, ultimately reaching a decision to extend his contract beyond this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Southgate said: “I think ’26 will be anamazing World Cup.I’m old enough to remember ’94 [in the U.S.] I didn’t go and obviously England didn’t qualify.
“But you know that any sporting event the U.S. are involved in hosting — and clearly Mexico ’86 I also remember — that will be an amazing tournament, which will be a different sort of challenge.
“If you think about the travel and the time zones compared to the last World Cup, it couldn’t be more different. Temperature changes, altitude and everything else that you could face. So that would also be an amazing tournament.” Pushed on whether it would tempt him to stay on, Southgate said: “That will depend on playing well, getting results and wanting to stay. Any number of things would be wrapped up in that. But that’s for after this summer, really.”
There are potential logistical problems if United do try to appoint Southgate this summer. United would ideally want their new manager in early to oversee what is expected to be a summer of significant change under new minority owners INEOS.
However, Southgate has previously branded speculation linking him with the United job as “completely disrespectful” and is adamant he won’t consider his options until after Euro 2024, the final of which takes place on July 14. United travel to Norway to face Trondheim on July 15.
When asked whether he believes he will be in management next season or whether he would need a break from the game if he left England, Southgate said: “I don’t have any vision of what next year will look like because everything for me depends on this summer. Everything is geared towards ‘how do we win this tournament.’
“We’re clearly one of the teams that can win it. There’s big expectation, which is completely understandable given what we’ve done over the last five, six years. We’re very comfortable with that expectation. It’s brilliant that our supporters are excited about the team but it’s pointless to me looking beyond that really.”
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique stated that he was unaware of the boos directed at Kylian Mbappé by the club’s fans prior to his final game at the Parc des Princes.
Mbappé, the all-time leading scorer for the club, recently announced his departure from the Ligue 1 champions after seven years.
Whistles and jeers could be heard as his name was announced in the lineups before Sunday’s match against Toulouse.
“I didn’t hear any booing,” Luis Enrique said. “I heard lots of support. All I heard was applause, chants and joy, which I think it was what Kylian deserved. The fans were superb, as always.”
As Mbappé ran onto the pitch to warm up before Sunday’s 3-1 defeat, PSG’s ultra supporters displayed a huge banner with a giant image of Mbappé and the message: “Child from the Parisian suburbs, you became a legend of PSG.”
Kylian Mbappé played his last home game for PSG against Toulouse on Sunday. Getty “I thought it [the tribute] was fantastic and very heartfelt,” Luis Enrique said. “It’s beautiful to recognise the work of a player of his level. He is without a doubt a legend of the club despite his youth. We still have some game left. I wish him the best of luck in his sporting career.”
Mbappé, widely anticipated to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer, played the full 90 minutes on Sunday and marked his performance with his 27th league goal of the season.
When questioned about his decision not to substitute Mbappé to allow for a standing ovation, Enrique explained, “I chose not to take him off because every time I’ve done so in the past, there’s been considerable attention from the press. So, I opted to keep him on for the entire 90 minutes to avoid any frustration.”
In contrast, Luis Enrique opted not to field Keylor Navas on Sunday, despite the veteran goalkeeper sharing a farewell message to PSG fans on Instagram ahead of what was expected to be his final game at the Parc des Princes.
Navas, 37, whose contract with PSG expires in June, wrote: “Every second spent at the Parc des Princes was wonderful…It was an honour to defend this badge in this incredible stadium. I still have goals to achieve, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to what was my home.”
Asked why he chose to leave Navas on the bench and start Arnau Tenas in goal after resting PSG’s No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, Luis Enrique said: “Regarding Keylor, I haven’t had any news that it was his last game at the Parcs des Princes. So I make decisions based on what was best for the team.”
Navas got an ovation from the PSG crowd during the league title celebrations after the game.
Man Utd officials have acknowledged that Old Trafford faced challenges in handling what has been described as unprecedented rainfall following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Sources informed ESPN that this incident reinforces the importance of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s desire to upgrade the stadium.
According to United, 41mm of rain fell within two hours after the final whistle. Videos circulated on social media showing a significant waterfall caused by a leak in the roof between the East Stand and the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
Additionally, images depicted water flowing underneath seats, running down the windows of executive boxes, and forming large puddles on the pitch.
Despite these issues, all supporters who attended the match were able to exit the stadium safely. However, there is a recognition that these challenges underscore the necessity for United to invest in stadium improvements.
There were massive leaks in the Old Trafford roof following incessant rain after Manchester United’s game against Arsenal. Getty
Ratcliffe attended the game on Sunday to witness the issues firsthand. The 71-year-old British billionaire, who acquired a 27.7% stake in the club in February, has expressed a preference for constructing a new stadium near Old Trafford.
However, discussions have also explored the possibility of redeveloping the current facility.
In March, United announced the formation of a taskforce to lead the project.
The group is headed by Lord Sebastian Coe, former chair of the organising committee for the 2012 London Olympics, and includes Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Sara Todd, Chief Executive of Trafford Council, and former United captain Gary Neville.
Prior to the Arsenal match, Ratcliffe held discussions with Burnham, Coe, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
This victory extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to an impressive 50 consecutive matches this season.
Just days before, Xabi Alonso’s team, eyeing a treble of titles, surpassed Benfica’s long-standing European unbeaten record from 1963 to 1965 with a 2-2 draw against AS Roma, securing their spot in the Europa League final.
Facing Bochum on Saturday, Leverkusen showed no signs of easing off. Bochum, the last team to defeat Leverkusen almost a year ago, proved to be no match for the champions.
Leverkusen asserted their dominance by scoring twice late in the first half against the Bundesliga’s previous season’s top performers, who had previously defeated them.
Patrik Schick put Leverkusen ahead in the 41st minute, while Victor Boniface extended their lead with a penalty in first-half added time. Bochum’s task was made even more difficult when they were reduced to 10 men following Felix Passlack’s straight red card in the 15th minute.
“I think already the Bundesliga—you can’t imagine how much that means for the club or the fans,” Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich said. “We’ll lift the trophy next week in our stadium.
It’s going to be very emotional. And then we go to Dublin and then we go to Berlin. We want to get two titles there and then go on vacation with the triple in our backpack.”
Amine Adli extended Bayer Leverkusen’s lead to 3-0 in the 76th minute, followed by Josip Stanisic’s low drive in the 86th minute. Stanisic then provided an assist for Alejandro Grimaldo to score with a tap-in during stoppage time.
With Leverkusen facing Atalanta in the Europa League final and Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final, they currently sit on 87 points with one Bundesliga game remaining this season.
Bayern Munich, who secured a 2-0 victory against VfL Wolfsburg earlier on Sunday, trails in second place by 15 points.
Alonso’s team has the opportunity to make Bundesliga history by becoming the first team to finish a season unbeaten if they avoid defeat against Augsburg at home on Saturday.
Leverkusen’s win over Bochum on Sunday also marked their achievement as only the third team in Bundesliga history to remain unbeaten in every away match of a season.
“After that red card, it was a completely different game for us,” Alonso told a press conference. “I am very satisfied with the result. It was important for us. Now we have a super goal on Saturday to win the title without any defeat. That has never happened before.”
Following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag likened managing the club to “swimming with your hands behind your back.”
The defeat marked United’s record ninth home loss of the season and left them with slim chances of securing European qualification.
Leandro Trossard’s first-half goal propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table ahead of the final week of the season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, who have only won one of their last nine games across all competitions (against relegated Sheffield United), find themselves in a challenging position.
Ten Hag once again faced defensive challenges, with midfielder Casemiro filling in at centre-back due to an injury crisis. Notable absentees due to injury included Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, and Mason Mount.
Citing the team’s extensive injury problems, Ten Hag expressed the increasing difficulty of his job. As a former coach of Ajax, he finds himself navigating a challenging season at Manchester United.
“Any manager can always do something better, but I am two years here and I had only one time the full group of players, and you cannot progress a team with so many injuries,” Ten Hag said. “It is like swimming with your hands behind your back. You have to keep your head above water and we are trying to do that.
“It shouldn’t be like this, but I return to all the problems we have and you then analyse the performance. You have to see that we were competitive, but that is not what you want, of course; we have to win, we have to win every game. “But at the moment, we are not at this position and definitely not this team with the injuries.”
Manchester United have two potential paths to securing qualification for the Europa League. The first is by defeating Manchester City in the upcoming FA Cup final later this month. Alternatively, they could secure a victory against sixth-place Newcastle at Old Trafford on Wednesday, preceding the final weekend.
However, there’s a risk of seventh-place Chelsea overtaking United for the Europa League spot, depending on the results.
Manager Erik ten Hag emphasised the importance of securing European qualification, highlighting the potential consequences of missing out.
It would be a significant blow for United to miss out on European competition altogether, especially considering their consistent participation over the past decade.
“It is very damaging,” he said. “That is the situation we are in, but still we can get there. We have the opportunities to take them and fight, even when the problems are massive, everyone knows this.
“We have to deserve it, especially the fans; they follow us on Monday [at Crystal Palace], and they understand the position we are in. Today they are behind us from the first whistle, they see the team needs backing and support, so we are united and that is very good.”
Despite the Electoral Commission’s denial of their request, some representatives from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claim they are still documenting the serial numbers of Biometric Verification Registration (BVR) kits used in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.
The EC rejected the request, citing concerns that it could jeopardise the ongoing process.
However, with a surge in first-time voters observed, agents from both parties managed to obtain the serial numbers of the Biometric Verification kits.
Musah Ahmed, the NDC Youth Organiser for Ayawaso North, stated, “From day one, we have been recording the BVR system’s serial numbers, and we are closely monitoring. If they are changed again, we will capture them and report to our superiors.”
When asked if the serial numbers were captured with the permission of the electoral officials, Ahmed Musah said, ‘we sought their permission, and they allowed us to take it.”
The NPP’s Augustin Ofori Gyebi said, “When we need it, we can get it.”. He added, “We have it; they showed us everything.”. Agents who obtained the serial numbers did so without the approval of the District Director of Elections for Ayawaso North, Apostle Tizor Watson.
He said, “I’ve not heard of anybody asking for a serial number from our outfit.”
His position was also corroborated by Lydia Anom, the Municipal Election Director, who also said her office had not given permission for the recording of serial numbers of BVR kits.
It would be recalled that speaking at a press conference on May 9, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, urged the party’s agent to record the serial numbers despite the EC’s stance against it.
The limited registration exercise entered its fourth day with the Commission shuffling between offline and online registrations as a result of intermittent network challenges.
Meanwhile, as participation increases, top political figures, including government officials, have been visiting the various centres.
The 24-year-old was reported to have agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer after refusing to extend his stay with the French champions.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the forward officially announced his departure via a video posted on his official social media account.
Mbappe’s aspiration to clinch the UEFA Champions League with Paris St-Germain before departing remained unfulfilled despite numerous attempts.
The most recent disappointment occurred earlier in the week when Borussia Dortmund’s resilience thwarted Enrique’s side’s chances of reaching the final.
While reports linking him to Real Madrid have gained momentum, there have also been strong indications of interest from teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Malaysian footballer Faisal Halim has shown positive progress after undergoing a third surgery, enabling him to walk again following a critical acid attack, according to a report by the state news agency Bernama on Friday.
Over the past fortnight, a spate of assaults targeting players have occurred in Malaysia.
Halim fell victim to an acid attack at a shopping center on May 5, resulting in severe fourth-degree burns that hindered his movement and speech.
In response to these incidents, Selangor FC, Halim’s team, withdrew from the season-opening Charity Shield match due to safety concerns.
Deputy president of the Selangor football association, Shahril Mokhtar, informed Bernama on Friday that Halim’s condition has improved significantly following a successful three-hour skin allograft surgery conducted on Thursday.
“I heard this morning he started walking in the room and went to the bathroom by himself. That’s a positive development. He wants to go home,” he said.
Halim, 26, is due to undergo another follow-up surgery later and is expected to recover fully with time.
Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo has criticised Sam Okudzeto, a member of the Council of State, for asserting that former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, committed no crime by stashing substantial amounts of both local and foreign currencies in her residence, according to myjoyonline.com.
Domelevo expressed disappointment in the Council of State member’s remarks, highlighting that even if the former minister’s actions weren’t unlawful, the decision to house such funds raises significant concerns that should concern all Ghanaians.
He also emphasised the contradiction of the minister holding large sums of money at her home while the government she was part of encouraged citizens to deposit their money in financial institutions.
“I find it unfortunate… my position will not be based on law, but at least being a public figure and a leader in government talking about ensuring that we all use the financial sector, keeping that amount of money in the house may not be legally wrong, but I think it is questionable,” he is quoted as having said on Joy News’ Upfront on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
What Sam Okudzeto said:
Veteran Ghanaian lawyer Sam Okudzeto, reacting to the brouhaha surrounding the investigation of Cecilia Dapaah, who has been accused of corruption and money laundering after two of her house helps were charged with stealing more than $1 million; €300,000 in cash and other valuable items from her residence in Abelemkpe, slammed the critics of the former minister.
According to him, no law criminalises the stashing of cash at home; hence, she cannot be accused of wrongdoing without providing evidence to back the claims. He stated that Ghanaians have not been fair to the former sanitation minister, as many have made harsh criticisms of her after it emerged that she had been keeping large sums of money in her house.
“The question is, if you come, and you find money with me, do I owe any duty to you to explain whose money it is? When nobody has complained that I have stolen their money—over a million—what difference does it make? Foreign currency?
“Look, Ghanaians are not honest people. When you see all these huge buildings that they are building, nobody asks them where they got the money from, when they started them, or when they were completed. Nobody does,” he said in an interview with TV3.
He asserted that no law bars individuals from stashing money at home until substantial evidence is provided.
“Do lawyers convict people oncircumstantial evidence? When you go to the criminal court, you must establish the issues beyond all reasonable doubt. That’s what the criminal law says. The criminal law is not based upon suspicion or mere allegation,” he added.
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, the Founder and President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, has expressed significant dissatisfaction with his fellow religious leaders’ silence regarding the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
He criticised their apparent lack of response, labelling it “cowardice,” particularly following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s decision not to sign the Bill.
Dr. Tetteh has pledged to organise a protest march to the Jubilee House if the President does not approve the bill, contingent upon the Supreme Court’s endorsement of its passage.
“I’ll march to the Jubilee House. I think it’s about time we let politicians know we voted them into power. The cowardice that Christian leaders and religious leaders have been reduced to is a shame and I’m embarrassed by some of our clergymen.
“As much as we are interested in our titles, in the big titles, and in who we are and how long we’ve served, I’m yet to hear certain people speak against these manners. And for me, that is a shame. And so, it starts at home too.
He added, “It starts with the clergymen. It starts with the religious clerics. It starts at the home of the Chief Iman. It starts with the Chairman of the Christian Council. It starts with the Apostolic leaders. It starts with the Apostolic Fathers. It also starts with the Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. But also, beyond that, it starts with the charismatic leaders.
“We’ve been too quiet. And as much as we are grumbling, everybody wants to impress certain people and that nonsense, for me, must stop.”
The Presidency has formally requested that Parliament to refrain from sending the anti-gay bill for approval, citing legal concerns. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, criticised this decision by the President.
On February 28, 2024, Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024, criminalising LGBTQ+ activities, promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Offenders may face imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years, while promoters and sponsors could face 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Currently, there’s a deadlock between the Executive and Legislative branches over the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Legal challenges have been mounted by two private legal practitioners, Richard Dela Sky and Gender Activist Dr. Amanda Odoi, seeking the annulment of the bill.
The Supreme Court adjourned Richard Sky’s application, seeking a declaration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as null and void, to May 17, 2024.
The adjournment, as ruled by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, is to enable counsel for the plaintiff to “file a fresh motion paper with a supporting affidavit and statement of the case.”
Counsel for the first defendant, Thaddeus Sory, suggested to the court that the applicant be given time to amend paragraphs five and seven of his applications to sync with his reliefs.
Paragraph five of the applicant’s writ is seeking “an order restraining the Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament from presenting The Human and Sexual Values Bill, 2024 to the President of the Republic for his assent.”
He asserts that churches are well-equipped to collaborate with the government in advancing development within the nation.
This declaration arises in the midst of initial debates regarding the potential taxation of churches.
Nevertheless, Dr. Bawumia opposes this idea, highlighting the crucial societal role that churches fulfil.
During a meeting with the clergy in the Bono East region as part of his ongoing nationwide tour, the NPP flagbearer noted, “If you look at the work the church has done, we should rather be paying them than they are paying us.
“Unless you don’t understand the work the church has done,. If you are looking at the buildings, way they keep society together, the universities, the hospitals, and the schools—it is massive.
It is just massive. Many churches have hundreds of schools. So I don’t see and I will not have a situation where we are taxing churches.”
“We will rather want to give churches incentives to support what the government is doing. I want us to be partners in the same way that the development partners are with us.
Arne Slot has indicated that the transition for him to assume the role of Liverpool manager, succeeding Jürgen Klopp, is imminent, as stated by the Feyenoord coach on Friday.
Sources familiar with the matter have informed ESPN that Liverpool and the Dutch club have come to terms, paving the way for Slot to lead at Anfield.
“It’s not quite done yet, but it will be a matter of days,” Slot told a news conference.
“It takes more than a simple shopping list and going to the store. These kinds of things have to be timed properly. It hasn’t been communicated yet, but don’t worry, it will undoubtedly happen soon.”
In January, Klopp confirmed his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the season’s end, with Slot emerging as the frontrunner to succeed him.
Slot, aged 45, secured a three-year deal last year after guiding Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title. Despite offers from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last summer, the former AZ Alkmaar coach opted to stay loyal to Feyenoord.
Liverpool’s aspirations of clinching the Premier League title in Klopp’s final campaign seem distant following consecutive draws against Everton and West Ham.
The Merseyside club currently trails league leaders Arsenal by five points with just two matches left in the season.
Ghanaian midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp has prolonged his tenure withCrystal Palace in the English Premier League. The extension locks him in with the South London club until the summer of 2025.
Schlupp, known for his versatility, has been integral to the Eagles’ squad, amassing 230 appearances since joining from Leicester City.
“In any Premier League squad, it remains vitally important to strike the right balance between youth and experience, with a squad of players all capable of driving the club forwards on and off the pitch,” said the club’s Chairman Steve Parish.
“As well as playing a pivotal role on the pitch, Will, Jeff and Joel are natural leaders in the dressing room who embody the Crystal Palace DNA and who help set a culture of the highest standards at the training ground.
We are delighted that they will be with us next season to help further our exciting early progress under Oliver Glasner.”
In addition to Schlupp, Will Hughes and Joel Ward have also committed to extending their contracts with Crystal Palace.
Schlupp demonstrated his prowess by scoring a stunning goal to secure a point for Palace in their match against Fulham.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his disappointment at the closure of Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Compact by the United States, lamenting the efforts made during his administration to secure the Compact.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearer described the closure as disheartening, emphasising the significant groundwork laid for its realisation.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) confirmed the closure, stating that there are currently no plans to resume collaboration with Ghana. The Compact has been entirely shut down.
Ghana was set to receive critical funding of approximately $190 million in March 2019 to support infrastructure investments and the financial recovery of the energy sector.
However, the disbursement of funds was halted due to complications arising from a failed concession agreement involving Ghana’s Power Distribution Services (PDS).
The agreement is intended for PDS to manage the assets and staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The U.S. government suspended the transfer of funds, citing concerns about private sector involvement in the MCC’s Ghana Power Compact.
In response, Mahama criticised the Akufo-Addo government on Facebook, attributing the collapse of the deal to alleged corruption within the current administration.
He pledged that a future administration under his leadership would prioritise accountability and conduct a thorough investigation into the PDS scandal to hold those responsible accountable.
Additionally, Mahama vowed to implement measures to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, focusing on areas such as metering, revenue management, and fault response.
Dear fellow Ghanaians,
It’s disheartening to learn that the $190 million we negotiated for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact has been lost due to Nana Addo and Bawumia's corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance… pic.twitter.com/HztNIHkWn9
“It’s disheartening to learn that the $190 million we negotiated for private sector participation in electricity distribution under the US Millennium Compact has been lost due to Nana Addo and Bawumia’s corrupt, ‘yenkyendi’, and cronyistic governance practices.”
“This is unacceptable, and we deserve better as a people.”
“As I gear up to assume the presidency in January 2025, thanks to your votes and endorsement in this year’s election, I want to assure you that I will work diligently to enhance private sector efficiency in the electricity distribution system, including metering, revenue management, and fault response,” he posted.
Ghanaian media personality Bridget Otoo responded to a complaint from a Twitter user, @Chris Chaka, regarding the price of tomatoes purchased at Adenta Market on May 9, 2024.
In his tweet, he expressed frustration over the quality of tomatoes received for a price of one hundred and twenty Ghana Cedis, questioning the value of the purchase.
“Is that tomatoes 120 ghc, or I’m just not a target person for Adenta Market? Somebody answer me fast before I drop these foodstuff and order beans”.
Is that tomatoes 120ghc or I’m just not a target person for Adenta market. Somebody answer me fast before I drop these foodstuff and order beans
Bridget ridiculed him by directing him to the Agric Ministry where she asserts commodities are relatively cheaper because it is sold at wholesale prices.
“Why did you go to Adenta?Go to the foodand Agric ministry; there’s a market there to control food inflation. Etufuor bour (wholesale price)” she responded.
Why did you go to Adenta? Go to the food and Agric ministry, there's a market there to control food inflation. Etufuor bour (wholesale price) https://t.co/yJqgEtOrwR
Bridget’s response comes after the government, in November 2022, began to sell food directly to the public as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of rising food prices and provide relief to its citizens amid the economic challenges affecting the country, especially during the post-COVID period coupled with the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ghanaian footballer, Ganiu Iddrisu, has been placed in police custody for his alleged involvement in the shooting deaths of two police officers at East Trasacco on May 2, 2024.
Alongside Iddrisu, four other suspects, including a gardener, a public servant, and an Arabic translator, were also apprehended.
During the court proceedings on May 8, 2024, Chief Inspector Margaret Ofori Boadi presented the case’s details, stating that the accused individuals, along with others still at large, conspired to commit the murders of the two off-duty police officers.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Alhassan Damba, Chinkor Abdullah Alhassan, Alex Appoh, Bright Nana Kwame Owusu, and Ganiu Iddrisu.
The incident allegedly occurred around 6:30 pm on May 2, near the Hakska Block Factory at East Trasacco, East Legon, Accra.
Chief Inspector Boadi requested the court remand the accused individuals while investigations continued.
In response, the counsel for the accused argued for bail, highlighting jurisdictional issues and claiming wrongful arrest.
However, the trial magistrate, Prince Osei Owusu, declined bail due to jurisdictional constraints and advised the defence counsel to seek bail through appropriate channels.
There is a looming controversy in the camp of Arsenal over the future of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey after the club renewed the contract of Italian player Jorginho.
Jorginho signed a new short-term contract with Arsenal to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until at least next year.
The Italian international joined Chelsea on transfer deadline day in January 2023 for a fee of up to £12 million.
Although initially an unpopular addition, Jorginho has gone on to establish himself as a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad, making 51 appearances.
With the renewal of the 32-year-old former Chelsea player’s contract, fans have begun expressing their concerns over the uncertainty of Thomas Partey’s future at the Emirates.
The 30-year-old Ghanaian, who joined Mikel Arteta’s side in 2020, has one year left on his contract.
Since joining the Gunners, Partey has become an instrumental force in the midfield, ensuring his dominance in the heart of the field and leading Arsenal to become one of the strongest title contenders for the Premier League title.
With Arteta having a number of options in midfield, such as Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny, it appears the Gunners might want to trade the former Atletico Madrid player.
Already, some clubs in the Saudi League have expressed interest in Partey, while the likes of Juventus and Barcelona are reported to be eyeing the midfielder.
Should Arsenal fail to renew Partey’s deal, the former Atletico Madrid man could leave for a fee between £20 and £25 million.
Since the renewal of Jorginho’s contract, fans have been reacting and asking for Partey’s contract to be renewed.
With Arsenal set to play five competitions next season, fans want the club to keep Partey.
Below are some of the comments from Arsenal fans:
i don’t like that they renewed jorginho instead of partey (personally)
So I guess both will gradually be faced out next season.
Well, except Partey proves he can stay fit for extended periods of the season, then he might get a year extension while Jorginho is the only one let go next summer. https://t.co/udYW1SwvQj
West Ham United winger Kudus Mohammed has revealed that his debutPremier League goal holds a special place in his heart.
The former Ajax player considers this goal his favourite, emphasising its significance as it opened the door for many more goals to follow.
“The first one is always special. It’s like the key to the lock because it opens everything. So yeah, the first one was really special, and getting a point for the team was also more important. So I’ll go for the first one,” he told the Premier League media.
Kudus made a memorable entrance into the Premier League with a spectacular volley in West Ham’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in November 2023.
His goal, alongside Lucas Paqueta’s impressive strikes, earned him the club’s goal of the month accolade.
Since then,Kudus hasmaintained his form, adding six more goals and five assists in 31 Premier League appearances, bringing his total contribution to 7 goals and 5 assists.
Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamaleis ready to host the opening event of the 2024 edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human Competition, catering to athletes from the Northern regions of Ghana.
Reks Brobby, the project’s founder and CEO, who is also a former athlete and Olympian, has confirmed that everything is prepared for Saturday’s event.
“We are ready; the athletes are too. It is the first of our yearly regional meetings, so we have invested so much. We want to take off on good footing, thanks to our title sponsor, GNPC, Adidas and others,” said Brobby in an interview.
Athletes will compete for honours across various categories, including U-15, U-18, seniors, and 18 and over.
The initiative, aimed at rejuvenating short-distance races in schools and communities, began just over a decade ago.
It has since nurtured remarkable talents such as Emmanuel Dasor, Ben Azamati, Joe Paul Amoah, Sarfo Ansah, Emmanuel Oduro Mensah, Shadrach Mensah, Desmond Aryee, Emmanuel Yeboah, and Barnabas Aggerh, among male athletes.
In the female category, winners include Beatrice Gyaman, Latifa Ali, Kate Agyeman, Grace Obuor, Hor Halute, and Janet Mensah.
The event kicks off in Tamale before moving to Cape Coast Stadium on May 25, then Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium on June 15, and culminating at the newUniversity of Ghana Stadiumin Accra on June 29.
Following Real Madrid’s thrilling Champions League semi-final win against Bayern Munich, club president Florentino Perez personally congratulated the team.
After staging a dramatic comeback victory on May 8, 2024, the players embarked on a celebratory lap around the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium before heading to the changing room.
Real Madrid’s social media platforms shared footage of Perez’s arrival in the changing room, where he greeted staff, including manager Carlo Ancelotti, and embraced many of the players present.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 9, 2024
About the game:
Two late goals from substitute Joselu propelled Los Blancos to a 2-1 victory, securing them a spot in the final at Wembley Stadium.
In a challenging and goalless first half, Bayern Munich broke the deadlock in the second half with a remarkable strike from Alphonso Davies.
With Bayern leading 3-2 on aggregate after a goal in the 70th minute, they seemed destined for the final. However, Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback, scoring two goals in three minutes.
Joselu equalised in the 88th minute, capitalising on a rebound from Vinicius Jr.’s shot. Then, in the 91st minute, Joselu netted a memorable brace, connecting with Antonio Rudiger’s cross from close range.
Fifa faces potential legal action from world players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association, including the Premier League, over plans to hold a 32-team Club World Cup at the end of the next season.
They argue that the global football calendar is already overstretched, leading to difficulties for national leagues and risking player welfare.
The PFA has sought legal advice on the issue, expressing concerns over the impact of an increasingly congested schedule on its members. With European club competitions expanding next season, the situation is becoming more strained.
Manchester City and Chelsea are set to participate in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States next year.
In a letter to Fifa’s leadership, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association insist that if Fifa extends its own competitions, it must make corresponding adjustments elsewhere.
It adds that “imposing the burden of adaptation on national leagues and players is inherently abusive” and is “jeopardising national leagues and affecting the health and wellbeing of players.”
Fifa asserts that its scheduling program considers player welfare, despite concerns raised by Fifpro and the World Leagues Association.
It contends that in countries with an 18-team league and one cup competition, such as Germany, the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup would represent only 2.3% of total club-level matches in a season.
Additionally, Fifa points out that the European Clubs’ Association supported the Club World Cup plans in a statement issued in December.
However, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association maintain that they have already given Fifa ample opportunities to address their concerns.
However, in their letter, they state clearly that if Fifa “refuses to formally commit to resolving the issues” at its council meeting in Bangkok on 17 May, members will be advised “on the options available to them”.
“These options included legal action against Fifa,” they said.
During the Fifa council meeting in Thailand, all 211 member associations will convene to vote on the host nation or nations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Meanwhile, amidst the threat of legal action against Fifa, Premier League clubs are announcing lucrative post and pre-season tours.
Recently, West Ham, Wolves, and Crystal Palace revealed a joint pre-season tour of the United States, while Newcastle and Tottenham are scheduled to play in Melbourne, Australia shortly after the conclusion of the Premier League season.
Barcelona has announcedthat 17-year-old defender Pau Cubarsí has extended his contract until 2027, with a staggering release clause of €500 million ($536 million).
The decision comes after Cubarsí’s rapid rise in the first team, prompting the club to secure his services with a new deal.
Initially signing his first professional contract with Barça just last year, Cubarsí’s impressive performances in 2024 attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, who were eyeing his previous release clause of around €10 million ($10 million).
However, sources close to the club remained confident that Cubarsí would stay, given his significant role within the squad.
Cubarsí made his debut for the first team at the age of 16 in January and has since become a regular starter alongside Ronald Araújo in central defence.
His emergence has pushed experienced players like Iñigo Martínez and Andreas Christensen into different roles within the team.
With 20 appearances across all competitions, Cubarsí’s standout performance came in the Champions League round-of-16 win against Napoli in March, where he was awarded the MVP.
Sources close to the coaching staff have praised his maturity and composure, particularly in possession, since his debut.
His impressive displays have also earned him two caps for the Spanish national team, and he is expected to feature in the upcoming European Championship in Germany this summer.
Cubarsí’s journey with Barcelona began in 2018 when he joined the club as an 11-year-old after spending four years at Girona.
Progressing through the ranks of La Masia, he made his debut for Barça Atlétic earlier this season before earning a regular spot in first-team training.
Under Xavi’s management, Cubarsí is one of several young talents to have broken through this season, alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal (16), Hector Fort (17), and Marc Guiu (18),showcasing the club’s commitment to nurturing its youth talent.
National Democratic Congress (NDC)has sent a clear message to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), urging them to facilitate a seamless and peaceful transfer of power in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, expressed these concerns during a press briefing on Thursday, May 9.
He accused the Electoral Commission of potentially assisting President Akufo-Addo in his alleged reluctance to hand over power to their candidate, John Dramani Mahama.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we do not expect the Electoral Commission of Ghana to act as the conduit through which Akufo-Addo will implement his avowed determination not to hand over power to the visionary, experienced and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama.
NPP must choose a peaceful transfer of power from NPP to NDC in their own interest. The 2024 elections will not be business as usual,” he asserted.
Nketiah emphasized that NDC registration agents across the nation would resist any efforts by the EC to diminish transparency during the voter registration process.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we do not expect the Electoral Commission of Ghana to act as the conduit through which Akufo-Addo will implement his avowed determination not to hand over power to the visionary, experienced and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama. NPP must choose a peaceful transfer of power from NPP to NDC in their own interest. The 2024 elections will not be business as usual,” he asserted.
He mentioned that NDC registration agents nationwide would oppose any efforts by the EC to decrease transparency during the voter registration process.
“We wish to serve notice and notice is hereby served that NDC registration agents across the country will resist the EC’s clandestine attempts aimed at diminishing transparency in the voter registration exercise. “Let me emphasise that our agents must activate the party’s super hi-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of BVR kits in their districts and electoral areas to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC.”
Nketiah invited Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, and Faith-based Organisations to join their call for increased transparency and fairness, which he described as a prerequisite for peaceful elections.
“Finally, let me use this opportunity to repeat our call to all CSOs, Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, and Faith-based Organisations to join us to demand more transparency and fairness, which is a necessary pre-condition for peaceful elections,” he called.
In the meantime, the EC has rejected the NDC’s appeal for the serial numbers of theBiometric Voter Registration (BVR) devices employed in the current Limited Voter Registration.
Leader of the Movement for Change (M4C), Alan Kyerematen, dismissed promises made by New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia regarding Ghana’s mineral resources as mere political rhetoric.
Dr. Bawumia, on a campaign tour of the Bono region, vowed to ensure 100% Ghanaian ownership of mineral resources if elected into power.
He voiced concerns about the current framework of Ghana’s mining sector, suggesting it creates the impression that Ghanaians do not fully own the country’s minerals.
However, Kyerematen, an Independent Presidential Candidate, rebuffed the vice president’s promise in an interview with the Chronicle Newspaper, labelling it as political propaganda.
He argued that, by law, minerals already belong to the citizens. Referring to Article 257 (6) of the 1992 Constitution, Kyerematen highlighted that all mineral resources in their natural state within Ghana and its territorial waters are vested in the President on behalf of the Ghanaian people.
He clarified that this encompasses both solid and liquid minerals, with specific laws governing access and management.
The former trade minister said: “So, Ghanaians already own 100% of their mineral resources by law.
The impression being created by the Vice President that he will make Ghanaians own 100% of their natural resources is misleading and amounts to populist propaganda,” he stated.
Court of Appeal has deniedMr. Sammy Gyamfi’s request to postpone the enforcement of a judgement that ordered him to pay GH¢500,000 in damages and GH¢40,000 in costs for defamatory statements against Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
Mr. Gyamfi, the Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress, sought to challenge the High Court’s decision, but the Appellate Court upheld the lower court’s ruling.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah, had ordered Mr. Gyamfi to deposit the GH¢500,000 and GH¢40,000 costs into court.
This decision came after Mr. Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy, filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Gyamfi for remarks made during a 2019 Political Press conference, where Mr. Gyamfi linked a kidnapping suspect to the Minister of Energy.
Now, efforts by Mr. Opoku Prempeh’s legal team, led by Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, are underway to execute the High Court’s decisionfrom October 13, 2022.
Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister for Transport, along with his wife, Mrs. Wilhemina Asiamah, are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
They face charges of unlawfully entering and trespassing on land situated in the highly coveted Tse Addo residential area.
Legal action has been initiated against the Minister following an application for interlocutory injunction filed by a legal team led by Emmanuel Bright Atokoh on behalf of Solace Doe and Another. According to court documents filed on May 5, 2023, the applicants have presented evidence to support their case.
“That quite strangely while the matter is yet to be amicably resolved with the 3rd and 4th Respondents some MRS. WILHEMINA ASIAMAH (WIFE OF THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT) as well as JOSEPH KWAKU OFORI ASIAMAH have entered the disputed land with armed policemen and developing same on the pretext that they have acquired the disputed land from the 3rd and 4th Respondents. Attached and marked as Exhibit B series are photographs of the developments on the land.
22.That I am informed by Counsel and verily believe the same to be true that the conduct of Respondents constitutes trespass and an act of illegality on Applicants’ respective land.”
The applicants are confident in their claim, supported by court rulings affirming their ownership of the disputed land. They provide evidence of their legitimate ownership in their affidavit submitted with the injunction application against the Transport Minister and his spouse, urging the court to prevent any further transactions involving the land until the case is fully adjudicated. According to the applicants’ statement:
“That the courts have in various decisions confirmed and affirmed Applicants’ grantors as the owners of the disputed land with the requisite capacity to grant the disputed parcels of land to Applicants respectively.
16.That among the decisions of the Courts in that regard include the Court of Appeal decision in the suit titled: ADOLPH TETTEH ADJEI V. ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS &ANOR [CIVIL APPEAL No. H1/107/2018] dated the 29th of November, 2018 and the Supreme Court decisions in respect of the said suit as well as the suit fifled THE REPUBLIC VRS REGISTRAR, HIGH COURT (PROBATE DIVISION) ACCRA: EX PARTE THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF EAST ADEKOTOPON DEVELOPMENT TRUST [CIVIL MOTION No. 15/67/2019] dated the 19th day of November, 2019.”
Read the application and the attached evidence of the allegation of ‘land grabbing’ by the Minister and his wife below:
Sources have informed ESPN that Luis Enrique will continue as PSG manager next season, despite the club’s Champions League semifinal defeat against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
In the past, PSG has dismissed managers following Champions League disappointments.
However, sources indicate that the club is satisfied with Luis Enrique’s performance and believes he can lead the team to greater success.
Luis Enrique, who celebrated his 54th birthday on Wednesday, signed a two-year contract upon joining PSG last summer. Discussions regarding a possible contract extension could commence soon.
The Spanish coach has garnered significant support from fans throughout the season, including the club’s loyal supporters who chant his name at every match.
The challenge of securing PSG’s first Champions League title will become more daunting next season if Kylian Mbappé follows through with his intention to depart the club and join Real Madrid after his contract expires this summer.
Nevertheless, Luis Enrique has demonstrated a willingness to manage star-player departures at PSG, exemplified by his decision to allow Neymar and Marco Veratti to leave last summer.
Instead, he has prioritized fostering team spirit and a cohesive identity within the squad.
Despite their Champions League campaign ending, PSG still have the opportunity to add to their trophy collection this season by competing in the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25.
Under Luis Enrique’s leadership, PSG has already secured theLigue 1 title this season, as well as the French Super Cup.
Vinícius Júnior has brushed aside rumours suggesting he could clinch the Ballon d’Or, emphasising his priority to assist Real Madrid in securing their 15thChampions League title.
Named the player of the match in Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League semifinal second-leg triumph over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, the Brazil international said: “Everyone talks about the Ballon d’Or but I’m very calm. I want to win another Champions League with this team.
“I can do great things this season and then I have to go with Brazil [for the Copa América]. I always think about the teams first and then me.
“We were able to place the best team in the world in another final. We have 25 stars in the team, all of us have worked hard to achieve our aim which is to go to London [for the Champions League final] and win La Liga. We have won La Liga; we are going to London.”
On June 1, Madrid is set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at London’s Wembley Stadium. Vinícius, 23, is considered one of the top candidates to inherit Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or title.
He showcased his talent by netting a hat trick in Madrid’s victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last January, and his contributions with 13 goals played a pivotal role in Los Blancos’ LaLiga triumph.
In the Champions League, his performance has been remarkable, scoring five goals and providing five assists in nine appearances.
“I came here [to Madrid] when I was young, 18,” he said. “I was criticised a lot and that made me work a lot more in order to be ready when the time came… I train every day to improve. I’m now here, in another final.
“I’ve never worked in a group that is as united as ours is this season. This group works a lot.” Vinícius also paid tribute to Spanish forward Joselu, whose two late goals put Madrid in the final.
“[Against Bayern on Wednesday]Joselu came on in the 81st minute and scored two goals,” he said. “This is a reward for Joselu. He has always worked to do the best for the team and never complained when he didn’t play. This proves what our group is.”
The auction for the napkin that famously kickstarted Lionel Messi’s career at Barcelona when he was just 13 years old has commenced this week, with an estimated price range of £300,000–£500,000 ($374,700–$624,500).
Current bidding for the item has reached £220,000, and the auction, hosted by the British auction house Bonhams, will remain open until May 17.
Originally scheduled for March, the auction was delayed due to a dispute over the ownership of the napkin, which has been in the possession of Horacio Gaggioli, an Argentine agent, for the past two decades.
Josep Minguella, another adviser involved in Messi’s transfer to Barcelona, has also laid claim to the napkin after news broke of its auction earlier this year.
Gaggioli disputed this, while Bonhams told ESPN there were “no problems” regarding the sale of the napkin,which is listed on their website as “property of Horacio Gaggioli.”
Minguella has yet to respond to ESPN’s request for comment. The story dates back to 2000 when Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, began to express doubts about Barcelona’s commitment to his son’s development. At that time, Carles Rexach, the club’s director of football, hastily arranged an agreement on a napkin.
This impromptu contract was signed by Rexach, Minguella, who played a role in bringing Messi to Barcelona from South America, and Gaggioli, who facilitated the deal. It served as a promise for Messi’s first professional contract.
Since then, the napkin has been kept by Gaggioli in a secure vault in Andorra, a principality located north of Barcelona between Spain and France. Attempts to negotiate its inclusion in Barcelona’s museum at the Camp Nou stadium have fallen through in the past.
The agreement on the napkin was made on December 14, 2000, at a tennis club in Barcelona after Rexach received an urgent call from Jorge Messi, threatening to take his son back to Argentina.
“That was when, thinking on my feet, I decided everything,” Rexach told ESPN in 2020 to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing.
“Why a napkin? Because it was the only thing I had available to hand. I saw the only way to relax Jorge was signing something, giving him some proof, so I asked for a napkin from the waiter.
“I wrote: ‘In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000 and in the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.’
“I told Jorge that my signature was there and that there were witnesses, that with my name I would take direct responsibility, that there was nothing else to talk about and to bepatient for a few days because Leo could already consider himself a Barca player.”
Manchester United have received a significant injury boost as both Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez return to training ahead of their clash with Arsenal.
The Red Devils are set to host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, and the potential return of Rashford and Martinez provides a welcome boost for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Martinez, who was a standout performer for United last season, has struggled with injuries this term, including foot, knee, and calf issues.
Meanwhile, Rashford has been sidelined with a knock since the FA Cup victory over Coventry City last month. Their return comes at a crucial time for United, who have faced numerous injury setbacks throughout the 2023–24 campaign.
United’s defensive line has been particularly affected by injuries, with more than a dozen different combinations used this season. Martinez, along with other key defenders such as Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, and Jonny Evans, have all spent time on the sidelines.
Despite their injury woes, Ten Hag’s side will be hoping to bounce back from their recent 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace when they face Arsenal on Sunday.
This will be followed by a clash against Newcastle United, as United look to secure their spot in Europe for next season.
Rio Ferdinand has voiced his anticipation for the outcome of Manchester City’s financial fair play case, suggesting that Premier League teams could react strongly depending on the verdict.
The 2023 treble winners face over 100 charges related to financial fair play regulations spanning nearly a decade.
Despite the charges being leveled in February 2023, a resolution may not be reached until the following year, leaving rival clubs, including Everton and Nottingham Forest, frustrated by the uncertainty.
Ferdinand speculated that if City were to evade significant penalties, the fallout could be substantial, implying that the league’s landscape may be dramatically altered.
Speaking on his FIVE podcast, an impatient Ferdinand asked: “When is this going to get sorted out? Because everybody else’s cases seem to be getting sorted out mighty, mighty quick. Everton have had two dockings this season already. Nottingham Forest, all these teams are getting docked points. Manchester City’s are just… [pretends to thumb through pages].
“If I was those clubs, I’d be like, ‘let’s see what happens with City first’. But if they get nothing or a little slap on the list, I can see them going nuts. When I went to a court case about racism a few months ago, he had one charge. It took two-and-a-half years! They’ve got 115; it’s nuts!”
The severity of the charges has raised speculation regarding the potential magnitude of the sanctions awaiting City. Suggestions range from hefty points deductions to the stripping of trophies, with relegation even mooted as a possible outcome.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters revealed that the date is already set for City’s trials during the European League general assembly, but refrained from announcing any further specifics.
“Obviously we can’t comment on the case; the date has been set and the case will resolve itself at some point in the near future, and I cannot make any further comment on it,” he said.
City are on the verge of winning thePremier League title again and will return to action on Saturday against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
In a bid to protect its customers against fraudsters and fraudulent activities, the Mobile Money Advocacy Group Ghana (MOMAG) has issued a warning to mobile phone users regarding fraudulent activities associated with SIM card registration.
The group in a release dated May 9, 2024 explained how “unscrupulous agents” use register SIM cards using the Ghana card other customers unbeknownst to the owners of the card.
Their trick is that they “will register two of the cards, with the excuse that the first one was not successful due to network challenges. They secretly keep the other cards and later use them for fraudulent activities or sometimes sell them at exorbitant prices to people without Ghana Cards,” MOMAG explained.
A large number of people who fall victim to these fraud MOMAG says are females.
“Incidentally, quite a greater number of the victims are females – Over 90% Again, some of our Ghanaian ladies who befriend some male of foreign nationals are coaxed into registering SIM Cards with their Ghana Cards. Some of these men will then use the SIM Cards to perpetrate fraudulent activities,” MOMAG added.
In light of this, the group has taken proactive measures by informing the “ National Communications Authority (NCA) on this issue in the year 2023, but no action has been taken yet. We humbly appeal to the NCA to take necessary action to protect citizens by curbing this menace. This, we believe, will prevent or reduce such fraudulent activities”.
MOMAG is ready to provide the numbers used by these fraudsters to the NCA to assist in any investigation.
“To nip this issue in the bud, we strongly suggest that the authorities take immediate action, by launching a public awareness campaign through electronic (radio and television) and print media to educate the public to shun the use of their Ghana cards to buy SIM cards for friends,” MOMAG added.
While they advised the public against leaving their damaged cards with MoMo agents, they also sent caution to these dubious agents involved in these unscrupulous acts.
“…the public should be educated to collect their damaged SIM cards from agents if they are told the card is damaged or gone bad during the registration process. What is more, we are sending a word of caution to these bad Agents, who are aiding the fraudsters by registering SIMs or selling “registered SIM Cards” (pre-registered) to them. We urge such Agents to stop such activities immediately. Should the association get hold of such bad agents, we would report them to the police to face the full rigours of the law”
Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker Asante Berko is appealing a UK court decision to extradite him to the US, where he faces allegations of bribing Ghanaian officials during his time at the investment bank.
Berko is accused of collaborating with Ghanaian officials and others in a bribery scheme that benefited himself, the bank, and a Turkish energy company seeking to construct a power plant in Ghana.
Prosecutors argue that Berko should be extradited to face trial in the US.
During a recent London appeal hearing, Berko’s legal team argued that the extradition order should be dismissed.
They contended that the charges did not constitute grounds for extradition, especially considering that most of the alleged acts occurred in London.
However, attorneys representing the US government argued in favour of extradition, claiming that Berko and other unnamed co-conspirators bribed Ghanaian officials with over $700,000.
They allege that the group arranged to be reimbursed for these bribes through fraudulent invoices issued to the energy company.
The reimbursements were then funnelled from Turkey, through US bank accounts, and ultimately to Ghana.
In addition to facing extradition, Berko was also sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2020 for the same conduct.
He settled the SEC’s lawsuit by agreeing to pay more than $329,000 in fines without admitting or denying the allegations.
A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
Alphonso Davies continues to fuel speculation about a potential transfer to Real Madrid following another impressive performance for Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Canadian international showcased his talent during the second leg of a high-stakes Champions League semi-final clash against the Spanish giants.
Although initially starting on the bench, Davies was called into action early in the game to replace the injured Serge Gnabry.
He made a significant impact by scoring a remarkable goal in the 68th minute, seemingly sealing the tie for Bayern. However, Real Madrid mounted a comeback, with substitute Joselu turning the game around.
As Davies contemplates his future, questions about a possible move to Madrid persist.
The speedy 23-year-old has been consistently linked with a transfer to the Spanish capital and is entering the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich.
There has been talk of the Blancos making an approach in the summer transfer window, or waiting until Davies hits free agency in 2025, with the man himself saying when quizzed on his long-term plans: “Will I play here at the Bernabuu next? Right now, my agent is talking to Bayern. Whatever happens, I’m very grateful to Bayern.”
Real Madrid’s current strong performance by left-back Ferland Mendy may lessen the urgency for them to pursue Alphonso Davies.
However, Davies has remained a target for Real for some time, and with his contract at Bayern Munich nearing its end, a potential move could still be on the cards.
With Ramsdale slipping down the goalkeeper hierarchy behind David Raya, the English keeper is poised to leave Emirates Stadium in pursuit of regular playing time, with Newcastle United leading the race for his signature.
According to the Standard, Arsenal has already begun the search for a replacement, with Szczesny emerging as a potential candidate.
The Gunners are keen on recruiting a homegrown goalkeeper to comply with Premier League squad regulations, making Szczesny an attractive option.
The 34-year-old, who came through the ranks of the Arsenal academy and made 181 senior appearances before joining Juventus in 2017, fits the bill.
Additionally, Juventus’ pursuit of Michele Di Gregorio from Monza has bolstered Arsenal’s interest in the Polish keeper.
However, Szczesny’s reported weekly wages of £100,000 after tax could pose a significant obstacle for Arsenal. With one year left on his contract with Bianconeri, it remains to be seen if he is willing to settle for a backup role at Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s Jason Steele and Ajax’s Diant Ramaj are also on Arsenal’s radar as potential homegrown goalkeeper options. However, Ramaj’s reluctance to sacrifice guaranteed playing time may complicate any potential transfer.
With Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, James Hillson, and Reiss Nelson expected to leave Arsenal in the summer, the club management is actively seeking homegrown talent across Europe.
Additionally, Arsenal aims to bolster their squad with a defender, midfielder, and forward as they set ambitious targets for the upcoming season.
24-year-old Frank from Akyem-Anyinam has been granted his freedom after a lengthy sentence was cut short by the Good Acts ofCrime Check Foundation in collaboration with the Unity and Harmony Club in Germany.
He recounts his past involvement in criminal activities in Nsawam-Ahodwo, where he stole copper wires, including those already installed in the unfinished buildings of his victims.
Hailing from a family of seven, including his parents and five siblings, Frank’s life took a difficult turn following the sudden death of his father.
He had to halt his education after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to allow his brother to continue schooling.
Formerly engaged in illegal mining (galamsey), Frank earned between GHS 100 and GHS 500 per day. However, with the government’s crackdown on galamsey operations, he struggled to sustain himself through odd jobs like truck pulling and carrying loads at the market.
“When people went on a spree of copper theft and returned with money, they showed it to me. Seeing this, I decided to join them because I realised that my job as a truck pusher wasn’t earning me enough. On my first operation, I made GHS 700, and on the second, I made 200.
Seeing how profitable it was, I continued. However, it was during one of these thefts that I was arrested and brought here. Copper theft can bring in a lot of money,” Frank confessed.
About the Awutu Camp Prison
Located near Kasoa in theAwutu Senya East municipalityof Ghana’s Central Region, the Awutu Camp Prison has been implementing farming activities as a means of rehabilitating inmates and equipping them with valuable skills for life after incarceration.
Covering an expansive 80 hectares, the prison operates maize, bean, and vegetable farms, in addition to a mango plantation, where inmates receive training in proper farming techniques.
This initiative forms a crucial component of the prison management’s strategy to effectively rehabilitate inmates and deter them from engaging in further criminal behaviour.
Mauricio Pochettino’s position at Chelseamay be secure, as co-owner Todd Boehly has expressed admiration for the team’s recent style of play, describing it as “beautiful football.”
Despite Chelsea’s current seventh position in the Premier League table, their recent improvement in form has kept their hopes alive for European qualification.
With seven points earned from their last three matches, they are closely trailing sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Nevertheless, the Chelsea board, known for their high expectations, had anticipated better results from Pochettino, especially given the significant investment in transfers in recent windows.
Concerns have also arisen over Pochettino’s rapport with the club’s ownership and sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart, with reports suggesting limited communication between them.
However, there is a glimmer of optimism for Pochettino, as Boehly’s comments during a Sportico conference in Los Angeles indicate his appreciation for the team’s recent performances.
“We’ve seen the last two and a half games, at least in the second half at Aston Villa (2-2 draw), Tottenham (2-0 win) and West Ham (5-0 win) where we played just beautiful football,” he said.
“It was so fluid; it was exactly the way we drew it up, When we came out of the back, built up and moved up the pitch, (it was) very organised, as was the number of shots we had on board. In those two and a half games, you could really start to see what we were working on coming together. Even the commentary has changed over the last two and a half games. I’ve never seen anything change so quickly.”
Chelsea have a favourable run of fixtures in the remaining matches of the Premier League season, with clashes against Bournemouth, Brighton, and relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Securing all nine points from these games, coupled with potential slips from Newcastle in their own fixtures, could see the Blues clinch a European spot for next season.
National Democratic Congress (NDC)activist and supporter Yayra Koku has accused President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia of being “trained scammers.”
Yayra made these allegations in a tweet on May 8, 2024, accompanied by pictures of the president dining with voters using the same plates and earthenware bowls. Another image shows the president drinking sachet water with groundnuts.
According to Yayra, these actions were “acts of humility” orchestrated by the president to deceive Ghanaians into voting for him in 2016 when he was desperate for power.
“”When Akufo-Addo wanted power from Ghanaians, he did this. Drinking pure water with groundnut, eating ampesie with ordinary voters etc. Upon receiving the power, he is instructing the Chiefs to rise and acknowledge him. He does not respect anyone” he fumed.
When Akufo-Addo wanted power from Ghanaians, he did this. Drinking pure water with groundnut, eating ampesie with ordinary voters etc. Upon receiving the power, he is instructing the Chiefs to rise and acknowledge him. He does not respect anyone.
On his part,Dr. Bawumia, who is the flagbearer of the NPP, is adopting the same ploy into tricking Ghanaians to vote for him citing a video of Dr. Bawumia greeting nobles at a function, where he shook their hands and bowed as a sign of respect.
“I am not surprised that his mate BawuLiar is doing the same to trick Ghanaians. I saw a video of him almost on the ground, greeting chiefs.Like Driver, Mate.These people are trained SCAMMERS” he added.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery are among the five nominees for the award.
Iraola earned his spot on the shortlist following a remarkable debut season with Bournemouth.
Despite a challenging beginning, the coach successfully guided his team to the top half of the table, earning recognition alongside esteemed managers likeArteta, Guardiola, and Klopp.
Emery, who has also had a successful campaign with Aston Villa, joins the quartet. Villa aims to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the next season’s Champions League.
Bournemouth endured a winless streak in their initial nine matches of the season. However, Iraola’s squad secured a victory against Burnley on October 23rd, marking their first three-point haul.
As the Premier League resumes this weekend, all five managers and their teams are set to return to action.
Arteta and Klopp will persist in their title race, with City confronting Fulham and Arsenal visiting Manchester United.
In the meantime,Liverpool will clash againstAston Villa on Monday, with Emery’s squad eyeing a potential top-four finish if results align favorably.
Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist Daniel McKorley, also known as McDan, has captured hearts with a heartwarming video featuring himself and his daughter Yayra engaged in a daddy-daughter conversation at the lounge of their private jet company.
McDan and daughter Yayra
In a tweet shared by Ghanaian blogger and influencer @SikaOfficial1, the father of ten is seen holding hands with his daughter as they enjoy a lovely conversation together.
Daddy and Daughter goals: Daniel McKorley, Chairman of McDan Group, engages in chatter with his daughter, Yayra, inside the McDan private jet lounge pic.twitter.com/VZQlByQGfQ
His daughter, Yayra, clearly enjoying her father’s company, laughed heartily and even rested her head on his shoulder.
Yayra was enjoying the convo with daddy
In response, netizens flooded the comment section with expressions ofadmiration for the warm relationship between the CEO of the McDan Group of Companies and his daughter.
One X (formerly Twitter) user, @Kwabena_Kodua, said, “Wow, this is beautiful.”
Thomas Tuchel expressed frustration at the “absolute disaster” decision that disallowed Matthijs de Ligt’s late equaliser for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid.
Bayern, leading the heavyweight semi-final tie with three minutes remaining, suffered a sudden collapse after substituting 44-goal striker Harry Kane, allowing Blancos substitute Joselu to score twice in three minutes.
Although Bayern believed they had secured a 113th-minute equaliser with De Ligt’s goal, it was disallowed for a debatable offside call that had halted play, and VAR could not review the decision.
Match officials are told to delay such calls when decisions are so tight, with Noussair Mazraoui potentially level with the last man, and Bayern boss Tuchel told TNT Sports afterwards: “That was an absolute disaster. A violation of the rules. This scene must be played out until the end.
That’s the rule. The linesman made the mistake, and the referee made the second mistake. We were almost there and a very unusual mistake by the best player for the equaliser, we conceded in a very narrow decision in stoppage time.
Then we scored one and it was a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee, so it feels almost like a betrayal in the end because of that decision. The linesman said sorry. That does not help at that kind of level—to raise the flag in a decision like this, in a close decision at the last minute.
The referee as well; he does not have to whistle; he sees that we win the second ball; he sees that we get the shot away. To whistle is a very, very bad decision. It is against the rules and it is a bad decision from both of them. It is a disaster, tough to swallow, but it is the way it is.”
Tuchel added, “Having the balls to raise the flag in a situation like that is a big mistake. And then the referee, when he saw that we had won the rebound, made the decision to whistle. It wouldn’t have happened the other way around. We accept the apology (from the linesman) but this is not the time to apologise. It’s the semi-finals and it’s not the time to make those sorts of mistakes.”
Real Madrid has secured their spot in another Champions League final, setting up a showdown against Borussia Dortmund, who are also from Germany.
Meanwhile,Bayern Munich will be leftto ponder over a season without a major trophy for the first time since 2011–12.
Luis Rubiales is facingtrial for alleged sexual assault and coercion following an incident during the World Cup where he kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the trophy presentation ceremony.
Hermoso and her teammates described the kiss as unwanted and demeaning, while Rubiales claims it was consensual and accuses others of perpetuating “false feminism.”
The incident sparked global debate over sexism in Spain, overshadowing an historic moment for the women’s team.
According to the BBC, a Spanish High Court Judge confirmed on Wednesday that Rubiales will stand trial on charges of sexual assault and coercion.
Other prominent figures implicated in the case include Jorge Vilda, the former coach of the women’s national team, Albert Luque, the team’s current sporting director; and Ruben Rivera, the federation’s head of marketing.
They are all charged with coercion for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to claim that the kiss was consensual. If convicted, each could face up to 18 months in jail.
The trial is scheduled to take place at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, with the exact date yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the court has imposed a bail of €65,000 for Rubiales’s sexual assault charge, which must be paid within 24 hours to cover any potential civil liabilities. An additional bail of €65,000 has been set jointly for Rubiales, Vilda, Luque, and Rivera regarding the coercion charges.
Rubiales has already received a three-year ban from all football-related activity, and Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half year jail term for him. They also demand that he pay €100,000 indamages to Hermoso.
The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for all involved, addressing issues of consent, power dynamics, and accountability within sports governance.
Ghana Health Service (GHS) has provided clarification regarding the withdrawal of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, attributing it primarily to commercial reasons.
AstraZeneca, a key vaccine used during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, has globally announced the withdrawal of its vaccines.
This decision comes as the pharmaceutical company cited the presence of an uncommon adverse effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).
TTS is characterized by the formation of blood clots that can block veins or arteries, potentially leading to severe complications such as strokes or heart attacks.
Symptoms may manifest as unilateral leg pain and swelling, chest discomfort, or numbness on one side of the body. In response to these risks, AstraZeneca has chosen to remove its vaccines from circulation.
It’s important to note that this withdrawal is not related to any medical concerns regarding the vaccine’s efficacy or safety. Instead, it stems from commercial competition and the availability of updated vaccine alternatives since the onset of the pandemic.
During a tour as part of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Child Health Promotion Week/African Vaccination Week Campaign in various areas of the Ga East Municipality in Accra on Wednesday, May 8, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, emphasized that while the withdrawal may raise questions, it is crucial to understand that it does not reflect any issues with the vaccine itself.
Rather, it is driven by market dynamics and the presence of newer vaccine options.
“They are withdrawing for commercial reasons in the sense that there are superior vaccines in the market.”
“And so if you are in a market and you will not be able to compete, why produce something when others will go for some other brand?” he said.
Office of the President has rejected the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) request to disclose the full KPMG report regarding the revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The MFWA invoked Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (“RTI Act”) on April 24, 2024, to request a copy of the comprehensive KPMG Audit Report on the GRA-SML revenue assurance contract, commissioned by the President.
However, the presidency, in a statement released on Wednesday, stated that “Upon careful consideration and in accordance with sections 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act, I regret to inform you that your request has been refused.
Section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) states that information prepared for or submitted to the President or Vice President containing opinions, advice, deliberations, recommendations, minutes, or consultations is exempt from disclosure and that disclosure of such information would compromise the integrity of the deliberative process by revealing the thought process, considerations, and influence on decision-making reserved for the highest offices of the land.”
The statement elaborated that the full KPMG Audit Report encompasses opinions, advice, deliberations, and recommendations vital to the President’s deliberative process. Therefore, it qualifies as exempt information under Section 5(1)(a) and (b)(i).
“Understanding the public interest in the GRA-SML contract,the President has published the principal findings and recommendations of the KPMG report in a detailed press statement issued by the Office of the President on April 24, 2024. Thus, the public remains informed while respecting the statutory restrictions on specific disclosures,” it added.
Hopeson Adorye has made startling claims regarding the dubious tactics employed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retain the Ejisu seat during the bye-elections.
Speaking on Captain Smart’s Onua morning show on May 8, 2024, the former National Security boss asserted that the NPP recruited party executives from Kumawu to oversee the elections at various polling stations.
He alleged that these individuals were trained by the Electoral Commission (EC) to serve as presiding officers.
Mr. Adorye, who recently left the NPP to join Alan Kyeremanten’s Movement for Change (M4C), stated that he received this information around 5pm on the day of the elections, which took place on April 13, 2024.
To support his claims, he mentioned specific names and referred to page numbers in the Kumawu constituency album where the names of these alleged NPP-affiliated EC officials were recorded.
Reading from a personal compilation titled “Polling station executives of Kumawu enlisted as EC officials for Ejisu,” he named three NPP constituency executives of Kumawu who had been enlisted as presiding officers.
The first two on the list were: “Number 1: Asafo Agyei Ernest…He was Presiding officer for Asotwe MA primary school, polling station number F310501A
All my collation shows this .This guy is a polling station youth organiser and also a Personal Assistant to the MP of Kumawu
Number 2: Addai Abankwa Kwame, presiding member at Kwamo Chief’s Palace. He is the presiding officer for the polling station with the number F311206A.He is also polling station secretary for the NPP at Kumawu, i.e., LA JHS Oyorko.”
Hopeson added that “If you open page 6 of the NPP album, you will find his name there. You will find his name in the album.This is the strategy they adopted.
The third person mentioned was “William Agyei, presiding officer for Boakra Methodist primary polling station code, f310103.Polling station youth organiser at Kumawu , you will also find him on page 6 or 5 of the album.
Agyekum Emmanuel also contested for polling station youth organiser at Akotosu Temporal Boat with polling station number F360902″.
However, he warned that, this time the NPP had their way but come 2024 general elections they wouldn’t.
“They got away this time with their strategy so next time we would be alert.Anyone who adorns in party cloths will be taken out .That is against the law” he mentioned.
