International Monetary Fund (IMF)has projected robust growth of 4.4% for Ghana in 2025, marking a significant increase from the 2.8% growth projected for 2024.
This announcement was made during the IMF’s latest April World Economic Outlook at the ongoing spring meetings in Washington DC, highlighting growing optimism about Ghana’s economic trajectory.
The IMF’s projection positions Ghana ahead of some major African economies in terms of growth rate for 2025, surpassing the World Bank’s projection of 3.3 percent for the same period.
Despite facing various economic challenges post-COVID-19, including high debt levels, double-digit inflation rates, and currency volatility, Ghana’s economic prospects remain promising according to the IMF.
This confidence in Ghana’s economy is attributed to the ongoing IMF program aimed at addressing pressing issues for overall economic recovery.
Signs of a strong recovery have been noted following Ghana’s participation in the IMF program.
The latest forecast reflects a 1.6 percent increase from the IMF’s 2024 projection of 2.8 percent, closely aligning with the government’s year-end target.
However, the IMF anticipates a decline of -2.2 percent in Ghana’s current account balance.
Despite this, the IMF maintains that theoverall outlook for Ghana’s economic growth is set for a significant rebound from next year.
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),John Dramani Mahama, has criticised the current administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, labelling it the “biggest political scam” in Ghana’s history.
He made these remarks during his “Building the Ghana We Want” tour in Nalerigu, North East Region, on Tuesday, April 16.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration is the biggest political scam in the history of the 4th Republic. Ghanaians are called upon again on 7th December 2024 to exercise their mandate and make a choice”, he said.
According to him, he would be amazed to see electorates vote into power the ‘scam’ of a government as Akuffo-Addo’s NPP.
“And after what we have gone through in 7 and a half years, it surprises me [that] anybody will still go to the ballot box and say he’s going to vote for the NPP again,” he said.
Mahama urged Ghanaians to make informed decisions in the upcoming elections on December 7, 2024.
He further added, “Maybe those who have made money under this government, yes, they will go and vote again. But I know that the majority of Ghanaians have seen a reversal in the quality of their livesin these seven and a half years.”
The trial of Mark Forson, accused of the murder of Dr. Christopher Adu Boahen,son of the late Professor Albert Adu Boahen, has been postponed to May 9, 2024.
The Kaneshie District Court, scheduled to hear the case, did not convene, leading to the adjournment.
Forson, who was facing a provisional charge of murder, maintained his plea in court.
The prosecution asserts that the complainant, a surgeon at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and a friend of the deceased, found Dr. Christopher Adu Boahen dead in his home on February 11, 2024.
Upon noticing an unusual smell at the door, the complainant discovered the deceased in his room.
The prosecution alleges that the accused, Mark Forson, was the deceased’s houseboy.
Upon discovery of the deceased’s body, the complainant promptly reported the incident to the East Legon Police Station.
Police investigations revealed signs of foul play, with the deceased found with a rope around his neck.
The body was then taken to the Police Hospital Morgue for further examination.
Subsequently, on March 14, 2024,Mark Forson was apprehendedin connection with Dr. Christopher Adu Boahen’s murder. The prosecution indicates that investigations are ongoing.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiolaexpressed confidence ahead of their quarterfinal second leg against Real Madrid, stating that he does not fear the 14-time Champions League winners.
Despite Real Madrid’s formidable history in the competition, Guardiola emphasised that he is not concerned about their past successes.
City have faced Real Madrid in recent seasons, both winning and losing at the semifinal stage, but Guardiola remains focused on the upcoming decisive match at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
“I don’t fear them,” Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday. “I respect them a lot. I’ve faced them many times. I respect Real Madrid and if I say I’m scared of them, I would be false.
“There’s the rivalry; you want to beat them and do well. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But I’m not scared of them and if they beat me, as has happened many times, we will say congratulations and wish them well.”
After last week’s 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Bernabéu, there have now been 23 goals in the last five meetings between the two teams.
City beat Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad in the semifinal second leg last season, but Bernardo Silva insists this version of Carlo Ancelotti’s team is better.
“Two different seasons, and it never happens to be the same game in football again,” said Silva. “I feel Madrid is stronger this season than last season. That was my feeling when we played them at the Bernabeu [last week].
For sure, they will want a bit of revenge [for the result in Manchester last season] so it will be a very difficult game.”
After achieving a historic feat last season as the second English team to secure a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble, City is poised to replicate its success this year.
A consecutive treble would elevate Guardiola’s side to contention for the title of the greatest club team ever. Silva acknowledges that this possibility serves as a source of motivation for the City squad.
“It’s obviously an inspiration,” he added. “We know how well this team has done and we want to create that legacy and to do another Premier League to do six in seven years and four in a row and we want to win the Champions League to do two in a row and if we win two trebles in a row that would be a legacy.
“In one week, we could be out of all the competitions but we are fighting for it.”
Former BlackStars player Asamoah Gyanhas shed light on the interaction between himself and Stephen Appiah following the crucial penalty miss against Uruguay in the quarter-final stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Gyan’s missed penalty, after Luis Suarez’s handball offence, denied Ghana a historic semi-final spot.
Contrary to the common belief that captain Stephen Appiah was dissatisfied with Gyan, the former striker clarified that Appiah was offering encouragement rather than criticism.
In an interview with Onua TV on Monday, April 15, 2024, Gyan explained that Appiah was well aware that he was designated as Ghana’s first penalty taker during the 2010 World Cup.
“When we got the penalty, the coach had already made the decision that I was the first penalty taker. I had already scored against Serbia and Australia. So it was obvious,” Gyan said.
He added, “Even if Stephen Appiah had taken the ball, he would have given it to me to take the penalty. He approached me after the final whistle and motivated me to take the first penalty during the shootout against Uruguay.”
Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface has revealed that his decision to mimic Mohammed Kudus’ celebration after scoring against West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League was spontaneous.
Clarifying his choice of celebration, he mentioned that it was influenced by the ongoing banter between Ghana and Nigeria.
“To be honest, I have seen so many comments about it…It was something that just came up; it wasn’t planned,” he told Oma Sports TV.
Ghana and Nigeria share a friendly rivalry extending beyond sports to various parts of life; hence, Boniface labelled the celebration ‘normal’.
“We (Nigerians and Ghanaians) are brothers, but we cook each other. It’s a normal thing,” he said.
Victor Boniface secured a 2-0 victory for Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash with a stoppage-time goal.
After the ball found the back of the net, he sprinted towards the advertising board, where he sat, joined by his teammates in celebration. Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus observed from the bench after being substituted.
Kudus’ trademark celebration, known as the ‘take a seat’ gesture, has gained widespread attention and has been imitated by numerous players.
In the upcoming second leg at theLondon Stadium on Thursday,April 18, 2024, Kudus will aim to retaliate against Boniface.
A report suggests that several Manchester United players are postponing decisions regarding their futures due to concerns that manager Erik ten Hag will be sacked.
The pressure on Ten Hag has intensified since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS at Old Trafford earlier this year, particularly amid a string of disappointing results, including a recent 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
With United facing the prospect of their lowest-ever Premier League finish, players are increasingly convinced that Ten Hag will not remain in charge next season.
As uncertainty looms over the managerial situation, some players are hesitant to commit to their own futures until the club’s coaching staff for next season is clarified.
Although specific players holding this stance are not mentioned, United has several players nearing the end of their contracts, adding to the apprehension surrounding Ten Hag’s tenure.
While Ten Hag has expressed confidence in retaining his position, Ratcliffe has refrained from providing definitive statements on the manager’s future.
INEOS executives have reportedly been exploring potential replacements in case Ten Hag is let go, with Gareth Southgate among those linked to the Old Trafford hot seat.
Ten Hag himself will enter the final year of his £9 million-a-year contract this summer, implying that United would need to negotiate a compensation fee toterminate his deal prematurely.
Senioradministration officials have disclosed that the White House has cautioned Israel against engaging in retaliatory strikes on Iran, asserting that the US will not partake in such actions.
The warning comes in the wake of Iran’s launch of over 300 drones and missiles at Israel overnight, purportedly in retaliation for an April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria. Despite the onslaught, Israeli, US, and allied forces managed to intercept nearly all incoming weapons before they could reach their intended targets.
According to reports, President Joe Biden emphasised to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the importance of carefully considering and strategizing their response to this unprecedented attack, marking Iran’s first direct assault on Israel.
The official added that the Biden administration believes Israel “got the best of it” in the exchange, which began when senior Iranian military commanders were killed at an Iranian consular building in Syria.
US officials highlight that approximately 99% of the missiles, drones, and cruise missiles launched during Iran’s retaliatory operation were successfully shot down or intercepted, underscoring Israeli military superiority over Iran.
Throughout the attack, US aircraft and naval vessels played a pivotal role in thwarting Iranian projectiles, with over 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles neutralised by US aircraft, vessels, or air defence forces over Iraq.
Additionally, US Central Command (Centcom) disclosed that seven drones and a ballistic missile were intercepted as they prepared for launch from Yemen, further illustrating the effectiveness of US defence capabilities in the region.
A conversation took place between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu at a time “of heightened emotion” just after the attack, which included about 100 ballistic missiles simultaneously flying towards Israel.
During the call, the two leaders had a discussion “about how to slow things down and think through things”, with Mr Biden emphasising that Israel has “gotten the best of it”.
The official declined to say, however, whether the White House warned against a significant response, saying only that “it is a calculation the Israelis have to make”.
Throughout a series of television appearances on US networks earlier in the day, national security spokesman John Kirby reiterated the US’s commitment to avoiding a broader conflict, stressing that this message has been communicated clearly to Israel and Iran through diplomatic channels.
While affirming continued support for Israel’s defence, both Kirby and senior administration officials emphasised that the US will not participate in any Israeli response.
This stance has drawn criticism from some US lawmakers and former officials across the political spectrum.
Ohio Republican Representative Mike Turner, chair of the House intelligence committee, condemned Kirby’s remarks on de-escalation, asserting that they were misguided.
“It is already escalating, and the administration needs to respond,” he said on NBC.
And John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, said the US should join Israel if it chooses to launch a retaliatory attack on Iran’s nuclear programme.
“I think it [Israel] can destroy or disable a very substantial part [of the programme], if not totally,” he told NewsNation. “Frankly, if Israel is prepared to go after Iran’s nuclear programme, the United States should proudly join them.”
In the wake of Iran’s attack on Israel, Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that the body would “try again” to pass military aid for Israel.
Previous attempts to send more aid to Israel have stalled amid Democratic calls that the aid package should also include assistance for Taiwan and Ukraine.
“If it wasn’t for US security assistance, we could be facing a major regional war,” he said. “That supplement and the ones for Ukraine and Taiwan are in our national security interest. It is not charity. It’s part of the US national defence.”
While officials claim the design draws inspiration from the city’s famous plum blossoms, online commentators have been quick to note its striking similarity to a sanitary pad.
“This is a giant sanitary pad. It’s embarrassing to say it looks like a plum blossom,” said one comment on social media site Weibo.
The topic has generated millions of views across various Chinese social media platforms.
“Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can’t?” one Weibo user said.
“I think we should take this chance to call for society to pay attention to period shaming. This design is ahead of its time,” another user joked.
According to the state-owned newspaper Nanjing Daily, the preliminary design was greenlit by the government of Jiangsu Province and China State Railway Group.
Construction is due to begin in the first half of 2024, according to local media.
According to a 2017 report by the Nanjing Morning News, the train station is estimated to cost some 20 billion Chinese yuan ($2,763 million; £2,224 million), and will sit across a total area of 37.6 square kilometres (14 square miles).
Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique is confident that his team can bounce back from their first-leg defeat against Barcelona and secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite losing 3-2 to Barcelona in Paris last Wednesday, Enrique believes PSG are well-positioned to turn the tie around. PSG last reached the semi-finals three years ago.
“PSG have never come back to win after losing a first leg, but [Tuesday] is the day,” said Luis Enrique.
“We have a very united group of players, in which there are no egos.”
Enrique secured the Treble during the 2014-15 season, one of his three seasons as Barcelona manager.
During his tenure, Barcelona famously staged a remarkable comeback against PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2017, overturning a 4-0 first-leg defeat with a stunning 6-1 victory.
Barcelona, who have won the Champions League five times, are eager to reach the semi-finals for the first time in five years.
“We’re not a team that will sit on our lead; we want to take the ball off PSG and win the game,” said manager Xavi.
“It’s the Champions League; it’s Paris, and a game in which no one will be holding back.”
Barcelona will be without Andreas Christensen and Sergio Roberto who are both suspended.
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has expressed his willingness to serve as the running mate of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia if selected by the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer.
Gyan, who has openly shown his support for the NPP government, stated that he would consider it an “honour” to potentially become the second gentleman of the country if given the opportunity.
During an interview with Captain Smart on Onua Maakye on Monday, April 15, Gyan responded with laughter when asked if he harbors ambitions to become Dr. Bawumia’s running mate before giving his answer.
The all-time Black Stars top scorer said, “Honour is something everybody likes. I won’t reject it but I know that’s big.”
However, he clarified that his current focus is on contributing to the development of sports in the country by leveraging his experience and knowledge.
Gyan’s association with the NPP became prominent when he attended Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s vision statement event at the UPSA in Accra in February 2024.
Subsequently, the former Ghanaian player was appointed as the chairman of the Sports Sub-Committee of Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto committee for the 2024 election.
In his role, Gyan will assist the NPP flagbearer in formulating sports policies for the party’s 2024 manifesto.
One of the notable initiatives proposed byGyan since his appointment is the upcoming All Regional Games scheduled for November 2024.
Tensions arose within the team when they were awarded a penalty in the second half amid Chelsea’sdominant performance against Everton
Despite Palmer’s remarkable performance, which saw him score four goals, including a perfect hat-trick in the first half and an additional penalty after the break, his achievement was marred by a dispute between teammates Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson over who would take the penalty.
Such internal disagreements over penalty duties can be concerning for a manager like Mauricio Pochettino, especially given Palmer’s established role as Chelsea’s regular penalty taker this season, with nine successful conversions.
However, it’s understandable that both Madueke and Jackson might have been eager to contribute in a match where Chelsea already held a comfortable lead.
While Palmer’s stellar performances have undoubtedly boosted Chelsea’s prospects for European qualification, they have also propelled him into the spotlight as an individual player.
His four-goal display against Everton puts him level with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Moreover, pundits like Jamie Carragher have speculatedabout Palmer’s potential for Player of the Year honours, not just as a Young Player. At this rate, it would be a glaring omission if Palmer were not included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
This situation is so embarrassing 🤦🏽♂️ the bois lack discipline fr Palmer is clear, he has scored 8/8 before yesterday and he is a golden boot contender the team should support and help him get more goals instead of fighting him over penalties. #CFCpic.twitter.com/4EKN9PzZxq
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has refuted claims that Sulley Muntari physically assaulted Moses Amah ‘Parker’ during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Reports emerged suggesting that Muntari and Parker were engaged in a confrontation, leading to Muntari’s suspension and expulsion from the Black Stars camp in Brazil.
Addressing the matter, Gyan dismissed allegations that the former Inter Milan midfielder had struck the owner of Medeama SC.
“Sulley [Muntari] never slapped anybody,” Gyan stated in clarification on what happened between Muntari and Parker.
While Gyan refrained from delving into specifics about the incident, he stressed that Muntari did not physically assault Parker.
He added, “I was there; he never slapped anyone. I just don’t want to go into details because I was there.”
In 2022, Muntari apologised to Moses Armah Parker for the incident that happened at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“I don’t disrespect elders so it will take a lot of things for me to react. Unfortunately, he was sitting in front of me and things got really bad.
“Immediately it happened, and I felt really bad. I wasn’t thinking just about him but also about his daughter, his family, his wife, and all those things.
“It’s not right for someone to disrespect their father. I’ve been looking for him to apologise to him for my behaviour but I have not seen him yet. I will use this opportunity to apologize to him,” Muntari said in his interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah in 2022.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his frustration over the penalty dispute during their 6-0 victory against Everton and cautioned his players against repeating such incidents.
Pochettino revealed he was “so upset” about the disagreement between Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke over who would take the penalty. Ultimately, Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s designated penalty taker, stepped up and converted the spot-kick, scoring his fourth goal of the match.
The manager emphasised the importance of unity within the team and urged his players to avoid similar conflicts in the future.
“I can’t accept this kind of behaviour,” said Pochettino.
“I told them it’s the last time I want to see this kind of behaviour.”
He added: “It is impossible to have this type of behaviour after this performance. If we want to be a great team, we need to change and think in a collective way.”
Palmer scored the 64th-minute penalty for the Blues—his ninth successful spot-kick of the season—following a bizarre 60-second confrontation involving five players.
Initially, Madueke and Jackson both went to grab the ball from Malo Gusto, with Madueke getting there first and prompting a 30-second exchange between the pair. Thiago Silva then intervened, with Jackson walking away.
Captain Conor Gallagher then approached Madueke, pointing at Palmer and telling him to hand the ball over.
Madueke refused both men, before Gallagher grabbed the ball and handed it to Palmer.
Palmer and then Gallagher had to shove Jackson away, who came back to get involved again, and then a final push from Gallagher on Madueke ended the squabble.
Pochettino said afterwards that all the players know Palmer is the designated penalty taker.
“The penalty taker is Palmer. It’s Palmer who needs to decide if he wants to give the ball to a teammate. It’s important to fix it They realise now,” the Argentine said.
“It’s a shame. It’s a process for a young team that needs to learn a lot. I need to apologise because fans around the world are seeing this type of situation after 4-0 to fight for a penalty.
“They need to learn and be professional. We need to be focused on the collective. It’s a clear example that it’s a process we still need to learn.”
Palmer has converted all nine penalties he has taken in the Premier League, with only former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, having a better 100% conversion rate—from 11 penalties—in the competition’s history.
In Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-final in March, Raheem Sterling took a penalty – with Palmer on the pitch and missed.
“Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it,” the ex-Manchester City player said.
“I think we are showing everyone wants to take responsibility. It may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win – we are laughing and joking about it.”
Everton midfielder Dele Alli, watching the game for Sky Sports as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury, saw it differently.
This was Palmer’s second home hat-trick in a row, having scored a 100th-minute penalty in a 4-3 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
“This is them showingtheir age. I’m not there atthe training ground every day, but as far as I’m aware in their last big game, in the last minute when the pressure was on, I didn’t see them all fighting to take it then,” he said.
“It’s alright when it’s 4-0 and you all want to get on the scoresheet.”
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer stole the show with an outstanding performance, netting four goals as his team dismantled Everton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Palmer kicked off the scoring spree in the 13th minute with a sublime finish into the bottom corner after a clever exchange with teammate Nicolas Jackson, leaving Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in his wake.
Just five minutes later, Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage, nodding in a rebound following Jackson’s shot saved by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.
The 21-year-old completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion midway through the first half, intercepting a wayward pass from Pickford and lobbing the goalkeeper from 40 yards out.
Before halftime, Jackson piled on the misery for Everton by volleying home Marc Cucurella’s cross, further solidifying Chelsea’s dominance.
Palmer then added to his tally from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, securing his fourth goal of the match.
In the dying moments, Chelsea’s substitute Alfie Gilchrist added a sixth goal, scoring his debut goal for the club from a tight angle.
With this victory, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight matches and closed in on seventh-placed Manchester United, who occupy the last European qualification spot.
Meanwhile, Everton, playing their first match since a two-point deduction for breachingPremier League financial rules,remain in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) Disciplinary Committee has issued its verdict on the document falsification case involving former Asante Kotoko striker Solomon Sarfo Taylor.
In a ruling shared on the Ghana FA’s social media platforms on Monday, April 15, it was declared that the player has been handed a three-year ban.
This ban effectively prohibits Solomon Sarfo Taylor from participating in any competitions organised by the Ghana Football Association for the next three years.
Additionally, his player licence has been revoked as part of the disciplinary measures.
“Solomon Sarfo Taylor has been banned from participating in matches and competitions organised by the GFA for a period of three years
“The disciplinary committee found him guilty of falsifying his registration documents. As a result, Solomon Sarfo Taylor’s player licence has accordingly been revoked,” parts of a notice from theGhana FA said in a post on X.
The Ministry of Transport has directed the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to lookout for transport operators charging fares above the approved ones.
In a directive issued on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Ministry called upon the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to apprehend any driver found contravening the existing fare regulations.
“Therefore, the Ministry is by this statement urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC,” the statement said.
Amidst ongoing negotiations for revised public transport fares prompted by the recent surge in fuel prices and operational costs, the Ministry of Transport has underscored the necessity of adhering to the current fares set by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
The Ministry’s Public Relations Unit has emphasised that drivers must strictly comply with the established fares, cautioning of legal repercussions for those who fail to adhere to the directive.
Simultaneously, the GPRTU and GRTCC issued a joint statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024, urging commuters to refrain from paying any additional charges beyond the approved fares.
They denounced unilateral fare increases by certain commercial drivers as illegal, reaffirming ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Transport to resolve fare adjustments.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by escalating fuel costs and associated expenses, two transport operating groups, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and theTransport Operators of Ghana, announced a 15% fare hike, slated to be implemented on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
These groups cited rising fuel prices, government inaction on petrol cost reductions, and the increased expense of vehicle spare parts and lubricants as reasons for the fare increment.
However, the Ministry’s directive stands in contrast to these independent fare adjustments, underscoring the importance of adhering to the approved fare structures until further consensus is reached.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Hopeson Adorye, reiterated that there is nothing that could prompt his return to the party.
In an interview with Ohemaawoyeje of Angel FM, the ex-Deputy National Security Coordinator underscored that despite not formally resigning from the NPP, he remains resolute in his decision, stating that no form of compensation could sway him back.
“I didn’t need any compensation; I was not the one that said I was leaving the party. Alan held a programme which I attended because I was invited and I said I am still a member of the NPP but a sympathiser of Alan Kyerematen. That was all…
“I am saying that even if they give me a hundred million dollars, I will not go back to the NPP,” he emphasised.
In November 2023, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) revoked the membership of Hopeson Adorye, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Nana Ohene Ntow, and Boniface Abubakar Saddique. This action was taken because they publicly endorsed a presidential aspirant other than the party’s elected flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Subsequently, these four individuals have played significant roles in the campaign ofJohn Alan Kyerematen, the leader of the Movement for Change.
Kyerematen departed from the party to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Government has initiated the process of settling outstanding payments owed to the National Association of Institutional Suppliers, in accordance with an agreement reached with the Ministry of Education.
This process began on Monday, April 4, following a demonstration by the suppliers.
Emmanuel Ayivor, the Public Relations Officer for the National Association of Institutional Suppliers, confirmed in an interview with Citi News that the government has commenced disbursing the overdue arrears to members of the association.
“The government promised that our payment would be done for those in the final year by Wednesday and for those in the second year, part would also be paid by Wednesday.
And truly, to their words, they have begun payment and most of the members have confirmed on the platform that they are paying.
“Monday will be the day we agreed from both parties to meet at the ministry to assess the payment andhow far they have gotten.”
Chelsea has tabled a €60 million (£51 million) bid for Palmeiras’ rising Brazilian star, Estevao Willian, nicknamed Messinho (Little Messi). The offer comprises €40m (£34m) upfront and €20m (£17m) in add-ons.
However, Palmeiras may reject the bid, considering their belief that the player’s value could rise.
They are even contemplating offering him a new contract.
The 16-year-old winger, dubbed Messinho, recently scored his debut goal for Palmeiras in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool in a Copa Libertadores encounter.
Chelsea is optimistic about securing the youngster’s signature ahead of the 2024–25 season.
Nonetheless, they face competition from two other Premier League clubs and Spanish giants Barcelona.
The Brazilian side’s stance on selling the talented prospect during the upcoming summer transfer window remains uncertain.
West Ham midfielderGeorge Earthy has been released from the hospital following a head injury sustained during his Premier League debut against Fulham.
West Ham confirmed on Monday morning that Earthy, who was substituted and taken to a local London hospital, has been discharged.
He will now undergo monitoring as per concussion guidelines before returning to action.
Earthy, brought on by Hammers boss David Moyes in the 82nd minute of Sunday’s home defeat to Fulham, collided with teammate Edson Alvarez shortly after his introduction.
He lost consciousness after hitting his head on the ground.
Extensive on-pitch treatment, including oxygen, was administered before Earthy was stretchered off, causing concern among spectators at the London Stadium.
In a club statement, West Ham said: “Earthy will now follow FA and Premier League concussion guidelines ahead of his return to play. West Ham United wishes to place on record its thanks to our own medical team, as well as their counterparts at Fulham and Medics24, our pitchside rescue team, for the immediate response to yesterday’s incident.
The club also extends its thanks for the many messages of support sent to George. Everyone at West Ham United wishes George a safe and speedy recovery.”
Earthy’s health and well-being take precedence as he recuperates from the serious head injury. Once he receives clearance to resume playing, the young midfielder aims to continue gaining valuable first-team experience.
Previously, he made a brief appearance in a Europa League clash against Freiburg last month and has been a consistent presence in the Premier League matchday squad since February.
While he is unlikely to be ready for selection against Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday, West Ham has upcoming matches against Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the next three weeks.
Xavi expressed his dissatisfaction withOusmane Dembele‘s departure from Barcelona last summer, stating that it left a sour taste in his mouth.
Barcelona have the opportunity to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season, holding a 3-2 lead over Paris Saint-Germain from the first leg.
As they prepare to host the Ligue 1 giants at Montjuic Stadium on Tuesday, manager Xavi openly admitted his disapproval of Dembele’s exit from the club last summer.
The French international departed for his homeland ahead of the 2023–24 season after spending six years at Barcelona, following PSG triggering his €50.4 million (£43–55 million) release clause.
Despite Dembele’s goal in the first leg, his team suffered a defeat against the Catalan giants.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second leg, Xavi opened up on the winger’s departure as he said, “I felt bad about Ousmane because he was in an extraordinary moment here. I hold no grudges, and tomorrow I’ll greet him with all respect. I have a lot of affection for him.”
When further asked about the home fans jeering their former player, the manager added, “I don’t hold a grudge against him. Tomorrow I’ll greet him, as I did in Paris. With respect, I appreciate him. Let people show what they feel.”
Following their Champions League clash with PSG on Tuesday,the reigning Spanish champions will shift their focus to a crucial La Liga fixture against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
Footy Legends GH recently hosted itssecond edition of the “Honouring the Fathers” event, dedicated to paying tribute to retired footballers who devoted their lives to serving the nation on the soccer field.
The event, organised by Footy Legends GH, a group of soccer enthusiasts from the working class, aimed not only to celebrate the past achievements of these soccer legends but also to provide essential support for their well-being and address their daily needs.
During the event, Alfred Nortey, the convener of Footy Legends Ghana, emphasised the importance of Corporate Ghana’s active support for initiatives like these.
He highlighted that such backing could significantly improve the quality of life for retired footballers and acknowledged their lasting impact on Ghanaian football.
“This initiative is to honour them because we realise that, as a nation, we do not do well in honouring our heroes.
This initiative is designed to honour those who have a passion for the game and made us fall in love with the game.”
“We started this last year together with my groups and our partners.
This is an annual event to honour our retired football players who are suffering. Additionally, this year we did a prostate screening and a medical checkup.”
The event featured a thrilling football match between the Ashiedu Keteke Old Stars and Footy Legends GH XI, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Mantse Agbonaa Park.
Everton has officially launchedan appeal against their second-point deduction for violating the Premier League’s financial regulations, as reported by BBC Radio Merseyside.
Previously, the Toffees received a 10-point deduction, which was later reduced to six following an appeal in February, covering the three-year period leading up to 2021–22.
The ongoing appeal process must be finalized by May 24th, just five days after the conclusion of the final Premier League match.
Currently, Sean Dyche’s team occupies the 16th position in the table, holding a two-point buffer above the relegation zone.
Facing Chelsea in a league match on Monday (kick-off at 20:00 BST), Everton aims to distance themselves further from the threat of relegation.
The Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) allow clubs to incur losses of up to £105 million over three years.
However, an independent commission discovered that Everton exceeded this limit by £16.6 million for the period spanning 2022-23.
Additionally, Everton could potentially face another points deduction related to interest costs associated with the construction of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Nevertheless, resolution on this matter is unlikely before the conclusion of the current season.
24 March 2023: The Premier League refers Everton to an independent commission over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules for the three-year accounting period ending with the 2021–22 season.
17 November 2023: Everton receives an immediate 10-point deduction after being found to have breached the Premier League’s financial rules.
15 January: Everton and Nottingham Forest are charged for breaches of the league’s profit and sustainability rules. The hearing has to be concluded within 12 weeks of this date, which is April 8.
26 February: Everton’s first penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules is reduced from 10 points to six after an appeal.
25 March: A hearing for Everton’s second charge, relating to a three-year accounting period ending in 2022–23, takes place this week.
8 April: Everton receives a second-point deduction of two points.
15 April: Everton lodges a formal appeal over the second point deduction.
19 May: The final day of the Premier League season, when Everton visit Arsenal (16:00 BST).
24 May: The latest possible date for an appeal hearing to be concluded.
Kumasi Asante KotokoSporting Club’s assistant coach, David Ocloo, attributed the team’s poor performance to a decline in confidence among the players.
Ocloo made these remarks during a post-game interview following Kotoko’s 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC at Dawu, marking their fifth loss in six games.
The Porcupine Warriors have been struggling since the commencement of the second round of the 2023–2024 Ghana Premier League season in late February.
Despite finishing the first round in the top three, the club currently sits in 11th place in the league standings.
According to Ocloo, the team’s lack of confidence is the primary factor contributing to this downturn in form.
“When you are losing, confidence goes down and you could see it in the first half; they were panicking and they couldn’t play how you and I know them to play. If we play the way we played the second half, I think we can turn things around.”
Kotoko will face FC Samartex on April 21 at 18:00 GMT at theNsenkyire Stadium.
Nigerian striker Victor Bonifaceadded his African flair to the festivities as Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first-ever Bundesliga title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
Alongside his friend Jeremie Frimpong, Boniface led the celebratory dance in the dressing room, with Flavour’s popular hit single “Ashawo” playing in the background.
Xabi Alonso’s teamsecured their inaugural title in their 120-year history with five games remaining, much to the delight of the jubilant crowd at the Bayer Arena.
Recent reports from Citi Sports indicate that he is now responding well to treatment.
Initially, emergency medical services incorrectly pronounced Kalaba dead after his car collided head-on with a heavy truck on Saturday.
However, it was later clarified that he was in critical condition and was subsequently placed in a coma.
Fortunately, Kalaba’s condition has improved, and he is now responsive to treatment, as confirmed by Nzeba Chanda, the Public Relations Officer of the University Teaching Hospital.
“He is responding very well to treatment. We can see a lot of movement and a lot of gestures that are evident in the way he is responding to sounds and the way he is responding to touch and those are the things that we can tell that he’s really improved as compared to the day that he came.”
Kalaba, integral to the Zambian team’s historic triumph over Cote d’Ivoire in the 2012 AFCON, possesses a remarkable array of accomplishments.
His success extends to African club football, where he secured victories in the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and CAF Super Cup as part of TP Mazembe.
UPDATE ON RAINFORD KALABA
“He’s now able to respond to his name”. Nzeba Chanda Public Relations Officer University Teaching Hospital pic.twitter.com/POp4344HDf
Football Australiaand the NSW Police are jointly investigating an incident involving a spectator who was captured on camera appearing to perform a Nazi salute during the A-League derby between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
The individual, situated in the Wanderers’ active supporter bay at Allianz Stadium, was filmed by Network Ten cameras at the conclusion of Saturday’s match, which saw Sydney FC emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.
Initially, the man is seen gesturing with his middle finger towards the camera before swiftly transitioning into what appears to be a Nazi salute.
It’s worth noting that new laws enacted in 2022 render such gestures illegal in NSW, carrying a maximum jail term of 12 months.
“Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command are investigating reports of a spectator making an offensive gesture at a sporting event held at Moore Park on Saturday,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“Police are urging anyone who may have information about this matter to contact Surry Hills Police Station or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.”
The Wanderers have opted not to provide a comment on the incident.
This occurrence follows Football Australia’s decision to impose a five-year ban on a Melbourne Victory supporter for making the same gesture during a match at the same venue, in the club’s Unite Round fixture.
Even before the implementation of new legislation, Football Australia consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance on such behavior.
In a notable instance, the governing body issued a lifetime ban to an individual for making the gesture during the 2022 Australia Cupfinal between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC.
Last week, three supporters of Sydney United appeared in a Sydney court in connection with Nazi gestures made during that match. All three entered pleas of not guilty, and magistrate Joy Boulos is expected to deliver her ruling next month.
A report from the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) indicates that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation(GNPC) is in need of an overhaul amid the seismic shift toward sustainability in the global energy landscape.
PIAC, in its latest issue paper, has noted the unprecedented pressures faced by National Oil Companies (NOCs) worldwide amid the energy transition, stating: “The energy transition poses an existential threat to NOCs, as it could reduce the demand and value of their core products, expose them to environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and liabilities, and undermine their competitive advantage and market share”.
This transition, characterised by a move away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources, poses existential challenges to traditional oil players like GNPC, PIAC says.
The call for change, specifically diversification, is driven by the outdated nature of the current legislation governing GNPC, which is nearly four decades old.
In addition to PIAC, experts assert that it is essential to review and amend the law to align with contemporary industry standards and practices.
Against this backdrop, PIAC recognises that GNPC’s role has evolved significantly since its inception, transitioning from a mere prospecting entity to a key commercial player in the burgeoning petroleum sector.
“After almost 40 years since its enactment, this law must be reviewed and amended to reflect the current role and international best practices of the industry. The review is also critical to direct and allow the NOC to be able to operate efficiently and effectively within the sector. GNPC’s role has evolved to become a key commercial player. It is expedient that the Law that established the Corporation be reviewed,” it stated.
The proposed revision seeks to bolsterGNPC’s fundamental businessoperations while fostering expansion into renewable energy sectors. This strategic realignment not only aligns with global climate objectives but also enhances the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
However, PIAC highlighted delays in fund disbursement from the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF) to GNPC, hampering the corporation’s ability to meet financial commitments. Despite statutory obligations for prompt payments, bureaucratic obstacles have frequently caused substantial delays, impacting GNPC’s operational efficiency and cash flow.
Moreover, PIAC underscored the strain on GNPC’s financial health due to its involvement in quasi-fiscal expenditures, including providing guarantees and making payments on behalf of the government and other state-owned entities. Urgent action is needed to address these financial burdens, with a focus on GNPC’s core mandate and development objectives.
As GNPC prepares for a future without PHF support post-2026, PIAC’s issue paper emphasizes the necessity of strategic planning and collaboration with the government and other stakeholders.
“One way for GNPC to be more resourceful, financially, while promoting autonomy and flexibility, is for the government to desist from imposing additional responsibilities and obligations on the corporation.
“An additional way to ensure secured funds is for the NOC to communicate and collaborate with the state and other stakeholders, such as regulators, investors, customers, employees, suppliers and communities, to align their expectations and interests, and to secure their support and participation,” the paper stated.
“While at this, the corporation also needs to advocate for and influence the policies andregulations that affect its transition, and to demonstrate their contribution and value to society and the economy,” it concluded.
Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has voiced concerns over the country’s diminishing port traffic at the Tema Port, with cargo increasingly diverted to the Lomé Port in Togo.
While traffic at the Tema Port has shown some growth, it hasn’t kept pace with the remarkable expansion witnessed at Lomé’s Port. Lomé’s container traffic has surged from 300,000 per year in the early 2000s to a staggering 1.5 million containers today. In contrast, Ghana’s Tema Port has grown from a similar level in the early 2000s to 1.2 million containers presently.
Dr. George vanDyck, the lead researcher on governance, port clusters, and competitiveness within the Tema Ports, emphasised the urgency for Ghana to foster a conducive business environment to remain competitive against Togo.
The Port Effectiveness and Public-Private Cooperation for Competitiveness (PEPP II) project, funded by the Danish Foreign Ministry, aims to provide policymakers with evidence to guide decisions benefiting the blue economy and bolstering port efficiency.
“Lomé, within the early 2000s, was doing 2 to 300,00 TU, which is 2 to 300,000 thousand containers per year. Now they are doing 1.5 million. Ghana, which was quite predominant in the early 2000s, is now doing 1.2 million, it’s going up but not as fast as Togo is going up. So there’s a lot of competition. What do we have to do? People are saying we are leaving trade to Togo, yes, it’s about creating an enabling business environment.”
Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, the Head of the Communication Department at the University of Ghana, explained that the project will allow a wider pool of researchers to contribute to the maritime world and the Blue Economy.
“It now allows a wider pool of researchers to take an interest in the maritime world, the Blue Economy. A lot more researchers than were represented in the PEPP project. For instance, now it is possible for people from engineering, fisheries, and physics, whose works may have something to tell the Blue Economy, to take an interest and join the network so that there’s a bigger pool of knowledge being produced about the Blue Economy that can feed into policy and also work in industries.”
During his keynote address, Professor Michael Ekow Manuel, who serves as the Academic Dean of the World Maritime University, underscored the critical need for implementing sustainable practices to safeguard the ocean.
He emphasised that the future success of the Blue Economy hinges on its preservation and sustainability.
“Preservation of our marine ecosystem is paramount. The futureof the Blue Economy is green. It is now abundantly clear that we humans cannot continue to treat the oceans as we have always done. As a pristine and inexhaustible supply of natural resources that can take every operational activity undertaken on it without thought to states it and sustainability.”
André Onana hasexpressed his gratitude towards Manchester United fans for their early-season support as he settles into life at Old Trafford.
The Cameroon international, who made a £47 million ($59.4 million) move from Inter Milan to United last summer, played a pivotal role in Inter Milan’s journey to the 2023 Champions League final.
During the 2022–23 edition of the tournament, he led the charts for clean sheets, boasting eight to his credit.
However, Onana encountered significant challenges during his transition to his new club.
Notably, he faced scrutiny for errors in Champions League encounters against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, resulting in a total of 15 goals conceded in six games as United finished at the bottom of their group.
The 28-year-old has openly admitted that it took him six months to settle in and “just to feel good” at United.
However, his recent resurgence in performance has emerged as a noteworthy positive amidst a difficult season for the club.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN,Onana expressed hisprofound appreciation for the steadfast support he received from United fans during his initial struggles.
“I received a lot of positive messages when I arrived here and when I was facing difficulty here, [the] message from the fans, from Manchester United fans [across] the whole world there was like, ‘André take your time. We know who you are and everything will be all right,’” he said.
“But it was strange because normally a fan, a normal fan is just looking for the result. But I received message[s]… ‘André, don’t worry, we are with you. Keep going.’
“They trust me and I was like, ‘wow, I never had this before.’ Most of the time [wherever] you go, when you don’t deliver in the beginning they’re straight. It is difficult. But here they were very nice with me and I think it’s time maybe now to start to pay back now because they were very nice with me.”
Onana also spoke of how he harnessed patience and positivity from within to get through that period.
“Now we are all human beings; sometimes you are right, sometimes you’re wrong. So you just have to know howto deal with these kinds of things. But I always say you never lose in life, you win or you learn. So when you don’t win, you learn. So you just have to make sure if things are not going how you want, [be] patient, keep working and it will,” he said.
“I [don’t know] if it’s today; maybe I hope we can turn everything around today, but if it’s not today, it’ll be tomorrow. If it’s not tomorrow, be patient. It’ll be after tomorrow. So you have to be patient, but they tell me that you have to be resilient, and then you never have to give up. Because if you give up, you better don’t step on the pitch.
“We have been in this game for a long already, so we all know what we did to reach this level. I know what I did to reach Manchester United. So I just have to continue working hard and things will be all right for all of us.”
Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmanhas issued an apology to Monterrey counterpart Esteban Andrada following a laser incident during Sunday’s Liga MX match between the two teams.
Guzman, who was sidelined due to injury and did not participate in the city derby, was seen in several videos using a green laser pointer from the VIP section of the stands directed at Andrada, who was in goal for Monterrey during the 3-3 draw, as well as at rival defender Sergio Canales.
Interestingly, the incident occurred on International Goalkeeper Day.
Monterrey is planning to submit a formal complaint against Guzman to the Mexican FA’s disciplinary committee.
“As I already did privately and in coherence with the values of the Institution that I represent, I want to take advantage of the importance of Social Networks to publicly offer my apologies to Esteban for the event that occurred last night during first half of the Clasico Regio,” Guzman, 38,wrote in a post on X.
Following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium,Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal players to rise to the occasion and ensure that one setback does not derail their season.
Goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins handed the Gunners their first Premier League loss since New Year’s Eve, paving the way for Manchester City to secure their fifth Premier League title in six seasons if they win their remaining six matches.
Arsenal now confront a pivotal week ahead, starting with a trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, finely balanced at 2-2.
This is followed by a challenging visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have previously claimed victories over both City and Tottenham Hotspur at home this season.
Arteta engages players during match
Asked if there was a danger their season could quickly fizzle out, Arteta replied: “If one result is going to do that then we are not strong enough. That’s very simple. We had one of the best performances that we’ve had all season in the first half against a really good team.
“It should have been three, four or more. It didn’t happen. In the second half, the momentum shifted. We could not control and generate what we did in the first half. We conceded two very poor goals and we lost the game.
“Congratulate the opponent and stand up. The moment is now to stand up and be counted. When you win and win and win for four months, it’s very simple to do it. The moment to do it is now.
“We don’t have any other solution. If you want to win championships, if you want to be there inthe Champions League,when you have these moments, you have to stand up. If not, that means that you don’t have a quality that is very necessary.
Manchester United has refuted claims suggesting that Antony’s absence from the squad during the Bournemouth game was due to a disagreement with manager Erik ten Hag, according to a source speaking to ESPN.
The Brazil winger was notably missing as United settled for a 2-2 draw, dealing a blow to their Champions League qualification aspirations.
The source emphasised that the club is dissatisfied with speculations linking Antony’s absence to a purported disagreement with Ten Hag over playing time.
United sources clarified that Antony was sidelined due to an injury sustained during Friday’s training session, preventing him from completing the practice.
Insiders close to Antony informed ESPN that the injury is not severe, and there are hopes of his recovery in time for the FA Cup semifinal against Coventry on Sunday.
Meanwhile, defender Diogo Dalot has suggested that Manchester United’s defensive struggles stem from their inclination to “take too many risks.” Ten Hag’s squad has conceded a troubling 12 goals in their last five matches, with Bournemouth alone registering 20 shots against them.
Notably, Liverpool and Chelsea each managed 28 shots in their respective encounters with United, resulting in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford and a 4-3 win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“Maybe we are taking too many risks,” said Dalot following the draw with Bournemouth. “Sometimes the gap between the defence and midfield is a little bit too big, which is why we are sometimes getting the counter-attacks too many times and are conceding too many shots, but overall we are looking forward to taking this as a learning process and trying to do better.”
During AS Roma’s Serie A match against Udinese on Sunday, defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the field during the second half, prompting the suspension of the match.
With the score tied at 1-1, the Ivory Coast international fell backwards onto the pitch with 18 minutes remaining.
Despite being conscious, Ndicka appeared to be in pain, clutching his chest with his right hand as the medical team quickly approached him.
He was subsequently stretchered off the field, though he managed to give a reassuring thumbs-up gesture before leaving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_nATH5liNo
“Following the on-field medical emergency involving Evan Ndicka, the match between Udinese and Roma has been suspended,” Roma said on social media platform X. “The player is conscious and has been taken to the hospital for further checks.”
Following a significant delay, the match was suspended, and the players exited the field. Reports from Italian media indicated that the tests conducted on Ndicka at the hospital confirmed that he did not suffer a heart attack.
The 24-year-old will remain hospitalised overnight for observation.
“The squad went to visitNdicka at the hospital. Evan is feeling better and is in good spirits,” the club said on X. “He will remain in the hospital for further observations. Forza Evan!”
Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF)has announced plans to review its “spectator code of conduct” following a disturbing incident during the Saudi Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi.
The incident involved a fan striking Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah with a whip during the award ceremony after Al Hilal’s 4-1 victory.
The altercation occurred after Hamdallah threw water at the individual following a heated exchange. Both the SAFF and the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia (PFA) have condemned the incident, labelling it “disgraceful” and expressing shock at the physical attack on a player.
The statement added: “Like all other AFC and wider FIFA member associations, the priority of SAFF is to preserve the safety and enjoyment of everyone who just loves watching and playing the game.
Football in Saudi Arabia is a family game and thankfully, fan disorder is extremely rare. It’s why the actions of this ‘so called’ fan go against all that Saudi football represents, and we completely condemn the incident.
“There will be a thorough review of the spectator code of conduct. The review will ensure updated rules and regulations are put in place to swiftly and effectively impose suitable penalties to help avoid any repeat of such incidents.
“Even though the match took place outside of Saudi Arabia, theSaudi Arabian Football Federation and the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia stand united in their commitment to prioritise safety and well-being at stadiums and will keep implementing comprehensive measures to maintain a secure environment for everyone involved in the game.”
Man Utdis gearing up for a bustling summer transfer window, with reports from Rudy Galetti indicating their intention to offload Antony to make room for the arrival of Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
Under the new leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford, the club is determined to bolster their squad, addressing the inconsistency that has plagued them in recent seasons and bolstering their prospects of competing at the top of the table.
One player likely to depart to accommodate new signings is 24-year-old Antony.
The Brazilian international has endured a lacklustre season, managing just one assist in 25 league appearances. Despite contributing two goals and an assist in the FA Cup, his overall output has fallen short of expectations.
Meanwhile, Olise, aged 22, has long been on United’s radar and remains a top priority for the club.
It’s understood that the player himself favours a move to Old Trafford over potential switches to Liverpool or Chelsea, both of whom are also interested.
With a £60 million release clause that could be activated this summer, United view the Palace winger as the ideal candidate to inject greater consistency into their wide play.
Liverpool’s hopes for securing the Premier Leaguetitle took a significant blow with their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, a match in which Jurgen Klopp pinpointed a crucial flaw in his team’s performance.
Eberechi Eze’s goal in the 14th minute at Anfield ultimately sealed the victory for Palace, as Liverpool struggled to breach Dean Henderson’s goal.
Despite the opportunity to leapfrog into the top spot if they had won and Arsenal lost to Aston Villa, Liverpool fell short. Klopp elaborated on the key issue behind their loss at Anfield against Oliver Glasner’s side.
Speaking after the match, Klopp said [via The Athletic]: “We had moments that didn’t end up in front of our goal, where we were just not together.
“Let me say it like that, if you press 80 percent, you better not press at all because it makes no sense. We were here and there. “Curtis (Jones) was really going for it, following through; besides that first line, which was too far away from each other, no one pulled; (Alexis) Mac Allister and Wataru (Endo) couldn’t do it; and the last line was too deep as well.”
Despite Klopp’s Liverpool being renowned for their exceptional pressing game, recent matches have highlighted a slight dip in this aspect for the Merseyside club.
Before succumbing to Crystal Palace, they faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home against Atalanta in the Europa League, drawing criticism towards the players’ dedication.
Now, with only sixPremier League matches left, Klopp’s team must maintain flawless performances and rely on Manchester City and Arsenal slipping up if they are to clinch the title in what could be Klopp’s final season in charge of the club.
Legendary Ghanaian footballer Asamoah Gyan has made a firm commitment to address individuals who criticise him on social media with what he deems suitable responses.
Gyan asserts that he reserves the right to react appropriately to such criticism, viewing silence as a sign of weakness.
He emphasizes that his reputation and credibility, developed over the years, are not to be undermined by anyone, particularly on social media platforms.
“I should sit for somebody to come talk to me anyhow, cos it’s social media, right? I’m not a coward like some people,” he stated.
A social media user recently sparked Asamoah Gyan’s ire by disputing his assertion that the lack of experience was the Achilles’ heel for the Black Stars during their match against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup.
Gyan vehemently refuted any insinuations that Ghana was simply outclassed by the illustrious Brazilian squad.
Instead, he emphasised that it was the team’s inexperience that ultimately hindered their progress, resulting in their elimination before reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament held in Germany.
“Experience was the difference in that game, but I disagree if you say we were cooked, bro. Go back and watch the full game, bro,” he wrote in reply to a post by journalist Owuraku Ampofo suggesting Ghana got ‘cooked’ in the game.
Gyan’s explanation elicited a reply from a tweep who said, “My friend, my friend. Them cook we.”
An unhappyAsamoah Gyan denied any association with the tweep, stating, “Who is your friend? I blame social media. Eni wo n3.”
What happened in the game?
Ghana was no match for Brazil, who thumped the African giants 3-0. The Black Stars conceded the first goal just five minutes into the game. Asamoah Gyan was sent off in the 81st minute after picking up a second yellow card for diving.
The Black Stars had finished second in Group E with 6 points, beating the Czech Republic and USA while losing to group winners Italy.
Ronaldo, Adriano, and Ze Roberto scored goals for Brazil in the game played on June 27, 2006.
Henry Fitz, a purported Ghanaian businessman, has made headlines lately due to a leaked bedroom video featuring renowned Ghanaian TV journalist, Serwaa Amihere.
In a recent interview with Trouble Carlos, a popular TikToker, Fitz made some startling revelations.
He accused Serwaa of colluding with certain media personalities and serial callers who spread rumors about his alleged loss of wealth and properties.
Fitz expressed his reluctance earlier to address the controversy surrounding the video and subsequent stories, attributing his response to what he perceives as a publicity stunt orchestrated by Serwaa.
While admitting to being the individual in the video, Fitz refuted claims of being responsible for its release. He asserted that he possesses more than 20 similar videos but chose not to disclose them.
Additionally, Fitz claimed that Serwaa was aware of his marital status during their time together.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)has once again emphasised that there are no ongoing power outages, commonly referred to as “dumsor,” in the country, dismissing circulating reports.
Despite calls for a load-shedding timetable, both ECG and the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, maintain that the power distributor is not implementing load-shedding.
Following a meeting with the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, ECG’s managing director, Samuel Dubik Mahama, assured journalists that the transformer challenges have been resolved.
Mahama reassured the public that ECG is making every effort to ensure a stable electricity supply, underscoring that load shedding is not currently being practiced.
“The assurance is that we are doing our best. The lights are going to stay on. Most of the transformers that we spoke about and the intensification exercises are almost done.
So we should just stay positive. There willbe a proper statementas to the way forward. We are currently not shedding load. So we are not shedding load,” he said.
Outspoken journalist and radio show host of Angel TV’s morning show,Okatakyie Afrifa, has ribbed into, the indigenes of Nungua, especially targeting their chief priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII’s, following his marriage to an alleged 1-year-old girl in a grand ceremony on March 20, 2024.
The news of the marriage was met with widespread local and international criticisms. Among the many who added their voices is the broadcast journalist who called the chief’s move to marry the minor “an animalistic behaviour.”.
“This is the behaviour of an animal; in the 21st century, this kind of thinking doesn’t belong here,” he fumed.
During an appearance on his morning show on April 3, 2024, Okatakyie slammed the people of Nungua, calling them mentally unstable and primitive.
He said in Twi, “People of Nungua, tell your chief priest what I said; I mean, you people have a mental problem. As a chief priest, we have married a 12-year-old girl to you, a 63-year-old girl”.
Can Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah utter such words to the Asantehene or the highest Chief Priest in Kumasi?
The Ga traditional leaders shouldn’t let this slide at all but rather, they should expel from their land and shutdown Angel Tv cos this is a complete insult to the GA people. pic.twitter.com/EmdhKvWVcK
Antonio Rüdiger emphasized the personal challenge of facing the formidable striker Erling Haaland in Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clash with Manchester City.
Rüdiger, a defender for Madrid, sees this matchup as an opportunity for redemption after City eliminated Madrid from last season’s competition.
In last year’s semifinal first leg, Rüdiger successfully contained Haaland, holding him scoreless in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu.
However, Rüdiger did not feature in the return leg in Manchester, where City secured a dominant 4-0 victory.
“It was a good game last year at the Bernabéu,” Rüdiger said in a pre-match news conference ahead of Tuesday’s match. “We all did a great job keeping Haaland quiet that evening. And my teammates did a good job keeping [Kevin] De Bruyne quiet.
“This time, the plan will be to control dangerous players like Phil Foden, De Bruyne, and Haaland… It’s personal for me as a defensive player, against a super striker like Haaland.”
Madrid and City meet this month for the fifth time in the Champions League in the last decade. The LaLiga giants came out on top in the 2016 semifinals, City progressed in the 2020 round of 16; and Madrid eliminated City after extra time in the 2022 semifinals, before last season’s meeting.
“We won’t only sit back and watch City have possession,” Rüdiger said. “But that’s part of the game. There will be phases where we have to defend more, and we’re willing to do that.”
Rüdiger praised the impact in the Madrid dressing room of Jude Bellingham, who has scored four Champions League goals in six games this campaign.
“At the beginning I was a bit surprised, I didn’t know much about him,” Rüdiger said. “But wow, he’s a big personality already in our locker room. The way he handles himself is very good. He’s 20, but he’s old for his age.
“I’m sure he’ll be a leader for [England]. He’s just professional, he’s a good lad, we just have to hope and pray he’ll stay healthy.”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team had lacked “courage and personality” in last season’s second leg against City.
“This tie [will be decided by] the players with the most quality,” Ancelotti said. “The players on the pitch decide games. You need a clear strategy that convinces the players. There are a lot of things in these games: individual quality, defence, and counterattacks. It isn’t one thing, it’s all those aspects.”
Ancelotti said he wouldn’t spring any surprises with his team selection, after picking midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at left-back against City last year.
“[This season] we have different characteristics with the ball,” Ancelotti said. “Last year we had Karim Benzema, and this season we don’t have a reference point at centre-forward. We’ve dealt with that with more mobility up front, and we’ve done well. That could be a key to the game.”
Casemiro has revealed that Manchester United’sunderwhelming performance this season has kept him up at night.
He emphasized the importance for the club to focus on their day-to-day operations rather than being preoccupied with the title race or securing Champions League qualification.
United, who finished third in the previous season, have struggled to replicate their form and currently sit in sixth place on the table with 49 points. They lag behind fourth-placed Tottenham by 11 points and trail league leaders Arsenal by a substantial 22 points.
“It’s difficult. This is the point that bothers me most about not fighting for titles,” Casemiro told ESPN Brazil after Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
“Being 20 points behind first place. Sometimes, I can’t even sleep to try to think about doing something different. It’s reality. There’s no point in thinking about title or Champions League places, we need to think about today’s games.”
“We need to think about the day to day, we had the opportunity to score nine points in the last few games and we scored two. We were upset. We have to think game by game and focus on the next match, against Bournemouth.”
In a span of just eight days, Erik ten Hag’s team hasrelinquished a total of seven points from advantageous positions. These setbacks include late-game collapses against Brentford and Chelsea, as well as a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
“The game [vs. Liverpool] was very fast-paced and well played. A classic. We were playing against one of the leaders of the competition and who is going through a good moment. We responded well,” Casemiro said. “Both teams had opportunities. The game was good. At home we are strong, but we played against a great team. We have to think about the next match.”
Manchester City faced a setback as three key defenders missed training on Monday morning ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
According to the BBC’s Simon Stone, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, and Kyle Walker were absent from the session.
Ake and Walker were already concerns due to their issues during the international break, while Gvardiol’s absence came after he was substituted off during Manchester City’s recent win over Crystal Palace.
Man City’s demanding schedule, including their involvement in a tight Premier League title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, has stretched their squad thin.
The team has faced additional challenges with participation in the Club World Cup in December and competing in multiple competitions simultaneously.
Although Walker and Ake are unlikely to be available for the first leg of the quarterfinal, there is hope that Gvardiol could recover in time.
Pep Guardiola described Gvardiol’s issue as a ‘little problem’ after the Crystal Palace match, as reported by The Standard.
Manchester City, the defending champions of the Champions League, are set to travel to Madrid to faceCarlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, April 9.
Rafael Leao has criticised Antonio Cassano, labelling him a “clown” following Cassano’s remarks suggesting that Marcus Rashford and Phil Fodensurpass Leao in skill.
Despite generating significant transfer speculation, Leao has solidified his importance to AC Milan, leading to a contract extension until 2028.
While overshadowed by teammate Christian Pulisic’s stellar performances this season, Leao has still managed to contribute six goals and nine assists in 27 Serie A matches.
Despite his recent goal in a 3-0 win over Lecce, Cassano remains unimpressed with Leao’s performances.
Ex-Italy international Cassano told Domenica Sportiva: “Leao thinks he is a genius and some even agree with him. I just consider him a good player and I have not changed my mind on that. For five-and-a-half months, he didn’t score in a poor league like Serie A. Years ago, he would’ve struggled to play in the sixth or seventh team in Serie A.”
He added: “If I go and see Rashford as a winger last year, he scored more than 25 goals and played in a wonderful championship. [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia arrives and has a wonderful championship. Foden is a year younger and this year he has already scored 21 goals and 10 assists; they are top players.
In Italy, the championship is not good and the problem is that he thinks he is a phenomenon and there is a lot of people who believe in it. He’s a good player and has great physical strength, stop. So Kaka, Rui Costa and Vinicius? What are we talking about? We’re talking about a normal player who has physical strength.”
Leao has become aware of Cassano’s comments,but is paying little attention tothem. Rather than allow the opinion of others to get him down, or become embroiled in a war of words, the Portuguese forward has merely posted a series of clown emojis alongside the video of Cassano in rant mode.
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has delivered a concerning update on the fitness of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane while also praising the performance of Willy Kambwala.
Despite both Evans and Varane returning to fitness last week and being cleared to play in the midweek clash against Chelsea, they had to be substituted off during the wild 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge due to their respective injuries flaring up.
This unfortunate turn of events added them to the list of absentees, which already included Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw, for the subsequent clash against Liverpool.
However, 19-year-old Kambwala stepped up and delivered a commendable performance as Manchester United secured a 2-2 draw against the league title challengers.
Speaking to the media, Ten Hag said [via The Athletic]: “I don’t think, at this short notice, they will return.”
On bringing Kambwala into the side: “The decision to bring Willy in is because he has been training with us for a long time and, in his first game against West Ham United, he also did very well, his progress is amazing.
“We were convinced he could do the job and he has done brilliantly. I am very pleased, very happy and it is another signal and message of the future ofManchester United.
“This team, the squad has high potential and if we get more players available, especially in the backline, where we have 27 different organisations, across the season, then the future will be very good.”
Manchester United has encountered an unusually high number of injuries this season, particularly in their defensive lineup.
While the exact cause remains uncertain, there have been reports suggesting that some players attribute these injuries to Erik Ten Hag’s demanding training regime.
Additionally, the absence of midfielder Scott McTominay further compounds their injury woes, marking the 56th separate case of injury or illness within the squad, according to Samuel Luckhurst.
With several key defensive players unlikely to return in time, Ten Hag may once againturn to Willy Kambwala to bolster the defense when they face Bournemouth on Saturday, April 13th.
Following a disappointing 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, Mauricio Pochettino has raised doubts about Chelsea’s ability to handle the demanding schedule of games every three days.
Despite taking the lead twice against Sheffield United, Chelsea failed to secure a victory as they conceded late goals on both occasions.
The draw was particularly frustrating for Pochettino, considering Sheffield United’s lowly position in the league and their previous heavy defeats this season, such as an 8-0 loss to Newcastle.
Chelsea’s inability to finish games has been criticised by Pochettino, while Jamie Redknapp of Sky Sports asserted that the Blues “would be in a relegation struggle without Cole Palmer.”
The former Manchester City player did not score against the Blades, but he did provide an assist, bringing his season total of Premier League goal contributions to 25.
In a furious post-match interview, Pochettino told reporters: “At 52, you identify really quickly whether the team is ready to compete or not. Maybe this group is not mature enough to compete in games every three days. It’s a new team and we are still learning about their profiles. The process always takes time. It’s not a magic thing. It’s a project, a three- or five year process to build a team.
“We are in thesemi-finals of the FA Cup. We were not in a good position in the beginning, but that’s normal. We need to accept it now and work to try and fix our problems.”
Chelsea are next in action on Monday, April 15, against Everton and will hope to put this torrid result behind them. They currently sit ninth in the Premier League, five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United.
