Fernández, aged 23, made the move to Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 in a €121 million transfer deal shortly after securing victory in the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
He netted his seventh goal of the season during Chelsea’s 3-1 league victory against Crystal Palace on Monday.
However, with Chelsea currently occupying the 10th position in the Premier League and facing the likelihood of missing out on the Champions League next season, speculation has emerged that the Argentine midfielder could consider leaving the club in June.
“I don’t know where those rumours came from. Social networks, I think. I totally deny it. I don’t want to leave Chelsea, I’m very happy here,” Fernández told ESPN. “Since the first day they [Chelsea] have treated me wonderfully, I am very grateful.
‘Save Ghana Football’ demonstration has kicked off, with notable Ghanaians joining football enthusiasts to express their discontent over the recent decline in the country’s primary sporting discipline.
Triggered by Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team exited with only two points, the demonstration began at the well-known Obra Spot in Accra, with the ultimate destination being the headquarters of the Ghana Football Association.
Celebrities participating in the protest include gospel musicians Nicholas Omane Acheampong and Great Ampong, as well as sports journalist Countryman Songo.
Another placard sheds light on the supposed prevalence of conflict of interest at the GFA, with officials of the association also being owners and administrators of clubs.
Barcelona is eager to bolster its wing positions and has set its sights on AC Milan attacker Rafael Leão, according to reports from Diario Sport.
Despite facing financial challenges, the Blaugrana are determined to secure a winger with both talent and goal-scoring prowess.
Additionally, they are seeking a midfield pivot, with Everton’s Amadou Onana catching their interest, as long as the transfer fee remains below €40 million. However, it appears that acquiring a winger of the desired calibre would require a more substantial investment.
Although Barcelona inquired about Leroy Sané, the 28-year-old seems poised to extend his contract with Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Leão has hinted that this season could be his last with AC Milan, having joined the club in 2019 after representing Lille. Despite reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain, the Portuguese international reportedly prefers a new challenge in either England or Spain.
Barcelona is closely monitoring the situation, with agent Jorge Mendes expected to play a significant role in determining Leão’s future.
Leão is currently under contract with AC Milan until 2028, with a release clause set at €175 million. However, it is anticipated that Milan would be open to negotiation to facilitate a transfer, particularlygiven Barcelona’s financial constraints.
The Premier League has given its approval for British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United.
The deal, valued at approximately $1.3 billion (£1.03 billion), is pending approval from the Football Association.
While the Glazer family will maintain a majority ownership of the club, Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group will assume control of football operations.
The completion of the deal is necessary for the Premier League’s endorsement.
“The Premier League now awaits confirmation of the transaction’s completion,” the league said in a statement, while confirming Ratcliffe, 71, has also signed the owners’ charter.
The agreement marks the first under the Premier League’s updated owners’ and directors’ test, which received approval from member clubs in March 2023 and involves assessment by an independent oversight panel.
Ratcliffe’s deal, finalised on Christmas Eve, includes an additional $300 million (£236 million) designated for future investments in Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
The businessman has committed to purchasing 25% of the club’s class B shares, primarily held by the Glazer family, who retain a 69% ownership stake and possess nearly all voting rights, as well as up to 25% of its class A shares, listed on the New York Stock Exchange at a value of $33 each.
An update from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday extended the deadline for holders of class A shares to tender them for sale until 23:59 on Friday.
Presently, 36.7% of class A shares have been tendered, surpassing the 25% agreed upon by Ratcliffe.
Assuming control over sporting operations at the club, Ineos will oversee both the men’s and women’s football divisions and academies. Additionally, they will secure two seats on both the Manchester United PLC and Manchester United Football Club boards.
While awaiting final approval, Ratcliffe has conducted several visits to Old Trafford and the club’s training ground. According to BBC Sport, the approval process is progressing smoothly.
In 2005, the Glazer family acquired Manchester United for £790 million.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram,Sam George, has called for the disbandment of the team following the disappointing performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars, during the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
Expressing his views on ‘Ekosii Sen’ on Asempa FM on Monday, February 12, Sam George, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, asserted the necessity of disbanding the team, even if it results in a FIFA ban.
Highlighting the importance of effective player integration and understanding the national team’s culture and commitment, the lawmaker emphasised the need for significant changes within the team.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed that the forthcoming 13th African Games is expected to attract over two billion viewers.
This announcement was made during the official opening ceremony of the Borteyman Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Set to occur from March 8 to March 23, this year’s African Games will primarily be held at the Borteman Sports Complex and the University of Ghana Stadium.
“We are anticipating an approximate audience of 2.2 billion individuals for the African Games, spanning across traditional media and social media platforms,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He urged key stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that the forthcoming African Games will be remembered as the “most remarkable in history.”
Ghana aims to make its mark in the history of competitions across all sporting events.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, lauded the accomplishments of the Super Eagles by presenting them with national honours, residential flats in the Federal Capital Territory, and parcels of land.
The announcement took place at a gathering in the Council Chamber at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where President Tinubu warmly welcomed the players and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Leading the delegation accompanying the President was Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development.
Attired in their distinctive green outfits, the Super Eagles, who secured the runner-up position at the 34th edition of the AFCON in Ivory Coast, were esteemed guests at the event.
Among them was Alex Iwobi, who unfortunately faced online criticism following Nigeria’s loss to Côte d’Ivoire in the final match.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu praised the team, coach, crew, and management for their unwavering commitment and resilience throughout the tournament.
He acknowledged the hurdles they had overcome, resulting in an impressive performance that led them to the finals.
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to maintain their resilience, highlighting the nation’s success in winning the hearts of Africa and the world through the team’s determination on the field.
“Let this recent event not discourage us, but rather unite us to strive harder. We are a great nation united under the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and unwavering love.
“To the cherished Nigerian youths showcasing their talents in communities, etching lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you could be our future heroes. Do not waver in your pursuit.
My administration stands ready to turn dreams into reality” President Tinubu said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced the government’s intention to construct one hundred additional artificial pitches across the nation by the end of the year.
Akufo-Addo made this disclosure during the official inauguration of the newly completed Borteyman Sports Complex earlier on Tuesday.
“Our administration has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to sports development through substantial investments in infrastructure.
“Upon assuming office, the country only boasted three astroturfs or artificial pitches,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
“We have since constructed over 150 artificial pitches, significantly altering the landscape. I am delighted to announce that this effort will not cease. We are poised to build 100 more such pitches, augmenting our existing infrastructure,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo encouraged the Sports Ministry to aim for excellence in Ghana’s hosting of major continental multi-sport events.
“I urge the Sports Minister, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Local Organising Committee to spare no effort in organising the most exceptionalAfrican Games in history,” he emphasised.
Today, February 14, 2024, marks the eagerly anticipated demonstration against theGhana Football Association (GFA), aptly named #SaveGhanaFootball.
Leading this significant event is Countryman Songo, the host of the ‘Fire for Fire’ afternoon sports show on Adom TV and Asempa FM.
Alongside him, numerous influential journalists such as Saddick Adams, Nana Yaw Kesse, Veronica Commey, and others are expected to participate, all rallying for greater accountability from both the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Joining the march is Prophet Nigel Gaisie, the leader of the Prophetic Hill Chapel, further emphasising the breadth of support for the cause.
Under the banner of #SaveGhanaFootball, participants will gather at the Obra Spot in Nkrumah Circle at 9 am before commencing their march through the streets of Accra, culminating at Independence Square.
The active involvement of these influential figures underscores the significance of the protest and reflects the collective determination of Ghanaians to reshape the football landscape in their country.
The survey further reveals that 70% of practitioners are aware of colleagues who have also been subjected to such attacks.
Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Communications, discussed these findings with JoyNews on February 13. She highlighted that these incidents have instilled fear among journalists about the execution of their responsibilities.
“At least 38 percent of those who have been sampled experienced. An even bigger number—nearly 70 percent of those sampled—said they were aware of colleagues who have experienced attacks in their line of work.
“Altogether, therefore, quite a good number expressed feelings of insecurity; they generally felt unsafe doing the work of journalists in the country,” she said.
Dr Yeboah-Banin said this was a cause for concern as the rate of attacks on journalists kept doubling with no measures to curb the situation.
“Report after report has suggested that the rate of attacks on journalists for doing their work, is increasing but the actions that you would see to make a statement to perpetrators that this will not be countenanced—such an action does not seem to be as swift or even existent in quite a number of instances,” she bemoaned.
In the wake of recent attacks on journalists by politicians and their followers, there have been notable developments. Mohammed Aminu Alabira, a correspondent for Citi FM in the Northern region, was reportedly assaulted while covering the NPP’s parliamentary primaries, allegedly by Farouk Aliu Mahama, the Member of Parliament for Yendi Constituency.
Additionally, individuals suspected to be supporters of Mavis Hawa Koomson, the MP for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, are accused of attacking a journalist in the Central region.
Consequently, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for a media blackout on these lawmakers. Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has endorsed these calls and urged the GJA to intensify pressure on both the Ghana Police Service and the Judiciary to effectively address incidents of violence against journalists in the country.
English clubs reduced their spending on international transfers by 80% compared to their record expenditure in January 2023, according to a FIFA report released on Tuesday.
Despite a record total of 5,073 international transfers across men’s and women’s football, English clubs showed unusual restraint in their spending habits.
This cautious approach by English clubs has been attributed to the Premier League’s implementation of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), leading to consequences such as a 10-point deduction for Everton and additional charges for Nottingham Forest.
In contrast to English clubs, spending in other countries remained relatively unaffected.
The total amount spent on international transfer fees decreased by 8.2% compared to the previous January but still amounted to $1.46 billion, marking the second-highest total in any January window.
French clubs emerged as the biggest spenders last month, with a total outlay of $291.9 million.
However, this prudence in spending did not extend to the women’s game, as evidenced by Chelsea’s acquisition of forward Mayra Ramírez from Levante for a world-record fee of approximately €450,000 ($485,000), with potential additional fees of €50,000.
FIFA also reported record spending in women’s football, totaling $2.1 million,which is more than two-and-a-half times higher than the previous year’s figure.
While conversations about the revitalization of Ghanaian football are still rife, popular blogger @GenerationalThinker@KobbyKyei_, in an X (formerly Twitter) post (video), showed the sorry state of the once spectacular and multi-purpose stadium, Essipong Sports Stadium, which hosted a number of games, including the2008 Cup of Nations.
A candid video of the stadium captures an abandoned and unattended-to facility with dirty looking walls with faded paint and weeds reigning in the wire mesh of the walls of the stadium’s fence walls.
The encroaching weeds slowly envelop the entrance of the once-vibrant stadium, their wiry tendrils entwining with each other as they creep along the edges, gradually obscuring the once-clear entrance pathway.
The resilient weeds assert their dominance over the neglected space. As their greenery flourishes, they cast a shroud of neglect over the entrance of the once-vibrant 20,000-capacity stadium, lending an air of desolation to the scene.
During my trip to the Western Region, I briefly visited the Sekondi-Essipong Stadium, once the venue for CAN 2008. The Essipong Sports Stadium now stands abandoned and in a state of decay.#TheBlogger#SaveGhanaFootballpic.twitter.com/w4f0eJreYO
Essipong Sports Stadium, also referred to as the Sekondi Sports Stadium or Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium, stands as a versatile sporting arena in Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of Ghana’s Western Region.
Constructed by the Chinese firm Shanghai Construction Company, it was completed in 2008, boasting a seating capacity of 20,000.
During the 2008 African Cup of Nations, the stadium played host to several matches, including Group B games featuring teams such as Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Mali, and Benin.
Primarily utilised for football matches, the stadium serves as the homeground for Sekondi Hasaacas FC, a Ghanaian club competing in the second division. Additionally, the facility accommodates other sports such as athletics, basketball, volleyball, and tennis.
In 2020, the stadium underwent renovations aimed at enhancing its overall condition and functionality.
Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication Kwame Karikari has backed the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) prerogative to exercise discretion by choosing to black out or shun coverage of any newsmaker or public official whose conduct is considered disrespectful to the journalism profession.
In accordance with the provisions outlined in the 1992 Constitution, specifically Chapter 12, Article 162-167, which safeguards media independence, Professor Karikari asserts that the media is empowered to take punitive measures against any individual or institution found to be in violation of its principles.
He asserted that such a measure serves as a potent tool for the media to safeguard its integrity and uphold journalistic standards.
“For a minister to behave like that to any sector of the media without rectifying that action, then the politician deserves to be simply blacked out,” Professor Karikari said during a media engagement on February 12, 2024.
As far as politicians have the freedom to give coverage rights to selected media houses, GJA has the right to do the same, Prof. Karikari said.
Even though the blackout has come under scrutiny from individuals such as the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, who described it as “not the most productive reaction,”.
However, Prof. contends, “When you assault a journalist, you are telling the media, ‘We don’t want you,’ so what business does the media have rendering a service that you claim you do not want? So for me, the media blacking out anyone is within their right.”
In the last few weeks, two members of parliament, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson and the Yendi MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama, have come under GJA’s media blackout following attacks on some media personnel during some electioneering activities.
The GJA directed journalists to avoid covering any activities involving the Awutu Senya East MP following an attack on a journalist allegedly by the MP’s thugs during the NPP’s parliamentary aspirants’ vetting in Cape Coast.
The Yendi MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama, has also been included in this total blackout after he was reported to have assaulted a Citi FM reporter during the NPP Parliamentary elections.
But information minister KojoOpong Nkrumah has called on GJA to ensure that thorough investigations are carried out before the blackout policy is implemented.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has boldly claimed that Bukayo Saka has yet to reach world-class status, offering his reasoning behind this assessment.
Saka emerged from the ranks of the Arsenal academy and made his first-team debut in 2018 under Unai Emery. Since then, he has been one of the team’s most consistent performers.
His contributions were pivotal to Arsenal’s title push last season, although it ultimately ended with Manchester City clinching the championship, surpassing Mikel Arteta’s men for a third consecutive title.
According to Sky Sports, Saka became the youngest player since Frank Stapleton in 1978 to score 50 goals for the club. Currently, he boasts an impressive tally of 51 goals and 49 assists for his boyhood club.
Ferdinand downplays Saka’s status
Former player and pundit Rio Ferdinand disagrees that Saka is a world-class player and claims he has to do it outside of the local scene to be recognised.
“Not yet,” he said on Vibe with Five when asked if the Hale End graduate is world-class. “Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.
“But I think it’s almost like, What is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking about the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.
The claim was anticipated to stir disagreement among fans. Achieving 100 goals for a prestigious club like Arsenal at the age of 22 is truly remarkable.
Looking at it from a different angle, this season marks Saka’s debut in the UEFA Champions League. In just five group-stage games, he managed to score three goals and provide four assists.
The loss in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 final was a tough blow for Ahmed Musa and the Nigerian team to endure.
Despite taking an early lead, they were unable to maintain their advantage as Ivory Coast executed a remarkable comeback, securing the title with a late winning goal from Sebastien Haller at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on February 11.
Visibly distraught after the match, Musa acknowledged both personal and collective disappointment. However, he also expressed pride in the Super Eagles’ journey to the final.
🇳🇬 Ahmed Musa asked how he feels about getting limited playing time at this AFCON:
Him:👇🏾
“I had the opportunity to play for others to win, so now it’s time for me to watch others play for me to win. Whenever I’m called upon, I’ll be ready.”
“That is football; someone wants to win, someone has to win, simple. We have to be proud of ourselves,” he stated. The Sivasspor man deflected questions about what went wrong for Nigeria, suggesting those inquiries were better directed at the coach, Jose Peseiro.
“I don’t know, I’m not the coach. I think the coach should have the right answers to this.” The Nigerian team, previously viewed as the favourites to clinch the AFCON 2023 title, experienced a bitter defeat in a match filled with drama and tension.
Haller’s late goal for Cote d’Ivoire shattered the Super Eagles’ hopes as the hosts staged a remarkable comeback to secure their third continental championship.
Despite captain William Troost-Ekong’slate first-half goal, Nigeria could not maintain their lead, ultimately succumbing to Franck Kessie’s equaliser and Haller’s decisive strike in the 81st minute.
Ghanaian preacher and founder of Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Dr Kofi Oduro has openly declared his participation in the February 14 demonstration against theGhana Football Association (GFA), the National Sports Authority and the Sports Ministry.
” Me! I am part of that demonstration against GFA,” the preacher said.
The ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration protest is aimed at holding the GFA, National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports accountable for the revitalization of Ghanaian football.
In a tweet featuring a video, outspoken sports journalist and lead convener of the Fix Ghana Football demonstration, Saddick Adams, expressed gratitude towards the founder of Alabaster Ministries.
The Alabaster Ministries founder is heard lamenting the declining state of Ghanaian football and criticising the attitude and commitment of some Ghanaian players. He went on to accuse some players of disrespect for their coaches and disregard for the ‘weight’ of the jersey.
Thank you Prophet Kofi Oduro for confirming to join the #SaveGhanaFootball Protest on. 14th February.
It is not even against the GFA alone. It goes deeper.
People in charge of the game underrate the the magnitude of what they hold and toy with it.
“Look at how the Black Stars went to play. Players don jerseys, and they act as if they are wearing police uniforms, army uniforms, customs navy or fire service uniforms. It is like that. You are wearing the image of the whole nation. The Black Stars jersey is sold to people; the person does not even understand the soul of the nation.
He comes on the pitch and acts like he is doing us a favour. Where are the days where people played Black Stars for free because we were rather doing them a favour? Patriotism, where are the days? I mean, now players gift coaches something small for their pockets and as a result, they don’t even respect them,” he fumed.
However, Prophet Oduro believes that, all these “madness’ wouldn’t have played Ghana football and left it in its current sorry state.
“You substitute a player and he starts waving off his hands. Are you the only player? Come to Ghana and see the players. Go to Police Depot Park, Alajo, Ashaiman, and others. But if not for the madness of GFA, all these things wouldn’t have happened,” he added.
The protesters have outlined some proposals that seek new structural reforms in Ghana’s football, such as the abolishment of the management committees, accountability from sponsorships, and better organisation of football.
They have secured permission from the Ghana Police Service to embark on the protest on Valentine’s Day.
The tragic and unexpected passing of world marathon recordholder Kelvin Kiptum, along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana, has raised concerns and prompted calls for thorough investigations from the athlete’s father.
The fatal accident occurred on the Eldoret-Ravine highway on Sunday night, February 11, when Kiptum’s vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree, resulting in the instantaneous loss of both lives.
Expressing his grief, Kiptum’s father, Samson Cheruiyot, urged the government to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his son’s untimely demise.
Cheruiyot revealed that days before the accident, their home was visited by four unidentified individuals inquiring about Kiptum.
They declined to provide any identification and left when pressed further, raising suspicions in the family.
“People who came home a while back who were looking for Kiptum but refused to identify themselves. I asked them to provide identification, but they opted to leave. It was a group of 4 people,” Kiptum’s father said, as quoted on Citizen.
Expressing his profound sorrow, he mourned the loss of his only child, whom he considered the family’s sole source of hope.
The devastating impact of Kiptum’s passing has deeply affected him, his wife, and their grandchildren.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, announced the government’s intention to honour Kiptum with a dignified farewell.
Namwamba, accompanied by Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei, offered condolences to the grieving families and disclosed that Kiptum had been nominated for a prestigious National Honor, which the President had endorsed.
Ghanaian actress and host of Onua Showtime, Nana Ama McBrown, delighted her numerous followers by participating in the Coup du Marteau dance challenge.
The catchy song, “Coup du marteau,” is by Ivorian musician Tam Sir and features other Ivorian artists such as Team Paiya, Ste Milano, Renard Barakissa, Tazeboy, and PSK.
Despite the 2023 African Cup of Nations having its official theme song, “Akwaba,” the “Coup du marteau” song gained significant traction, becoming viral across social media platforms.
This led to many individuals, including Nana Ama McBrown, taking part in the dance challenge.
In her rendition of the challenge, Nana Ama McBrown was seen dressed in a form-fitting blue dress adorned with silver sparkling accents.
With evident joy, she showcased her dance moves to the infectious rhythm of the song,captivating her audience with her enthusiasm.
Chairman of the Savannah Regional Branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sulemana Iddrisu, Professor Kalamonia, has responded to the destruction of his fifteen-bedroom residence in Tamale, located in Gumani, Northern Region.
He emphasised that preserving his life is paramount above all else.
“Nothing was retrieved from the house but to me, if there’s life, there’s hope because my old lady (Mother) was rescued from her room and she is worth more than any property. So, I thank Allah,” Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu indicated.
Mr Sulemana, who said this in an interview with MyjoyOnline, said he received a call from home that his house had been burned to ashes.
“The only thing I said was, I thank Almighty Allah for giving me that gift (the house) because my mother was on admission and discharged on Saturday, then the fire occurred on Sunday. If it’s not the doing of Allah, who else could be? he queried.
The residence was engulfed in flames at approximately 4:35 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2024, resulting in the destruction of numerous belongings.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service in the Sagnarigu Municipality, under the leadership of Station Officer Dauda Basit, swiftly responded to the incident.
Despite their immediate arrival,the damage had already been extensive, rendering most items irrecoverable. Nevertheless, Basit noted that the deployment of extra pumps from the fire station enabled them to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjacent residences and properties.
Personal valuables like land documents, certificates, motorcycles, flat-screen television sets, fridges, clothes, and foodstuffs, among others, were burned.
An eyewitness, Sulemana Sheriff, who was in his room when the fire started, spoke to Myjoyonline.
He said his little boy, who was playing outside the house, first spotted smoke coming out from the top of the roof of his mother’s room and drew their attention.
“I came out to go to town and saw the children sitting inside a tricycle and I ordered them out and left. But I returned shortly and was in my room watching television. And in less than 30 minutes, my wife rushed to tell me that our son said he saw smoke coming from her room.”
“So, I rushed outside and first removed the fuse from the meter but the moment we picked out our old lady (mother) to safety, the fire quickly started spreading to every part of the house, Sulemana Sheriff indicated.
Meanwhile, individuals from various backgrounds, including politicians from both major political parties and religious communities in the Savannah and Northern Regions, gathered in large numbers to offer their condolences to the NPP Regional Chairman and his family.
Renowned Ghanaian musician Kwabena Kwabena has affirmed his disinterest in participating in political campaigns for any party in the upcoming elections, stating that he is finished with politics.
During an interview on TV3’s ‘New Day,’ the Aso hitmaker emphasised that this decision extends to refraining from composing songs for any political party.
“I am completely out of politics. I am a Ghanaian,” he said when asked if he would campaign for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in this year’s general election.
Kwabena Kwabena, who has previously shown strong support for the governing New Patriotic Party and played a significant role in their 2016 election campaign, has now distanced himself from political involvement.
In the realm of music, the award-winning artist, known for hits like “Tokro,” “Bue Kwan,” “Adult Music,” “Tuamudaa,” and “Afraid to Lose You,” is gearing up for a special collaboration with the talented songstress Becca at the Vita Milk Love Night event.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14.
Promising an enchanting evening filled with love and unforgettable performances, Kwabena Kwabena assures attendees of a captivating love story through his musical renditions.
Joining them to add flavour to the night are other esteemed artists,including R2Bees, Efya, Camidoh, S3fa, and Lasmid, among others.
Head of Sports at Angel Broadcasting Network, Saddick Adams, has denied any allegations of hostility between himself and Kurt Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
During an appearance as a guest on Metro TV’s One On One talk show, hosted by Bridget Otoo, Adams clarified that he was indeed offered a position within Kurt’s administration, which he chose not to accept.
“He called me and said that he wanted to offer me a Deputy Communications Director job. My brother Henry was there, and I said, Okay, I am thinking about it.
“But I thought that I wasn’t psychologically ready because it was just at the end of Nyantakyi’s era and also at the end of the Normalisation Committee, which I criticised… So, psychologically, I thought I needed a gap,” he narrated.
Despite being a vocal critic of the administration, Saddick Adams, who has garnered a reputation as a fierce critic, stated that he maintains a fraternal bond with Kurt Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
“Kurt Okraku is like my brother. I am not sure any football person has ever stayed with me late in the night and left my house around 2 a.m. He stayed with me long before he became the GFA president. I used to go to his office at least once a month,” he stated.
Saddick, known as Sports Obama, and a group of journalists are rallying Ghanaians for a protest slated for February 14, 2024, on the back of the decline in Ghanaian football in recent times.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic passing of Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings.
The Nigerian entrepreneur lost his life in a helicopter crash on Friday, February 9, 2024, in California, USA, along with five others, including his wife and son.
In a Facebook post dated February 12, Mahama shared his struggle to come to grips with the heartbreaking news of Wigwe’s death, whom he affectionately referred to as a brother.
“It’s difficult coming to terms with the tragic accident that claimed the lives of my dear friend Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, along with three others.
“My sympathies go out to the families of those who perished in the tragic accident and our thoughts are with Herbert’s surviving children and the families of all who died,” he wrote.
Mahama reflected on his relationship with the late finance expert, mentioning that he first met him in 2009 during the establishment of the Ghana branch of Access Ghana.
“I had the privilege of knowing Herbert more closely in 2009 during his setting up of the Access Bank branch in Ghana. He came across as a brilliant and determined young man who was on a swift upward trajectory. This is evident in the growth of Access Bank into a widely recognised global brand.
“Herbert’s legacy in the finance and banking sectors will always be remembered. RIP,” Mr Mahama added.
Ghana Prisons Service has broken its silence regarding the reported escape of a Chinese national who was serving a one-year jail term for theft at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison.
The incident took place during the individual’s medical assessment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Superintendent Abdul Latif Adamu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, confirmed the escape and revealed that the inmate, Wang Xiao, was undergoing medical examination at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital at the time of the incident.
During an interview on Citi FM on February 12, 2024, he elaborated that despite being escorted by prison officers, Xiao managed to escape.
“It is indeed true that an incident like that has come to the attention of the service, and we can confirm that, yes, an escape has happened at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where an inmate, a Chinese to be specific who was sent there for assessment for medical care, unfortunately, escaped.
“As it stands now, the issue is seriously under investigation, and we have mounted a strategy to search for and, if possible, recapture him. he was a convict serving a one-year jail term. the inmate in question was on transfer to Korle-Bu Hospital; it was a dental problem,” he said.
Superintendent Abdul Latif Adamu continued, “Officers were deployed to supervise him to ensure that he was escorted to the hospital and then back to the facility but unfortunately, this happened.
“That is why investigations are very necessaryto establish how it happened and the factors that actually caused it. We have gotten a lot of leads that have proven to be successful in what we are doing,” he added.
In a separate report by the state-owned graphiconline.com, DSP Irene Pokuah Wiredu, Head of Media Relations for the service, disclosed that a wanted person notice has been issued, urging the public to assist in re-arresting Wang Xiao.
Ghanaian media personality and entrepreneur Mzbel has said her daughter, Ohenmaa, will in no way whatsoever become a Christian. On her path, many people are currently stuck to their respective beliefs as a result of their socialisation.
She believes if many had the opportunity to choose what religion to believe in, they would have made different choices.
Responding to a question on the possibility of her daughter becoming a Christian during an interview on Kingdom FM, she strongly contended that it will never happen as a result of the exposure she is giving her daughter.
“No miracle will happen for her to become a Christian. It will never happen”.
“You believe in Christianity because you were born into it. Muslims, Christians, and others belong to the said religions because they were born into them . If they had been given the opportunity to choose, I’m sure most people would have made different choices,” she stated.
With the belief that Christianity is a religion that forces its dictates and principles on people, Mzbel believes that one of the biggest deterrents for her daughter in choosing Christianity over her African spirituality is how Christian doctrines and principles are forced on its believers.
She said she forces none of her children to do anything, so they wouldn’t want to wrap themselves in a religion that would force them to do things.
“I don’t force anyone to do anything. But she would not make the decision to become a Christian because Christianity is a forced religion . A religion that forces its principles on people and I don’t force my children.
So they will also not want to subject themselves to any principles that force them to do things against their will. We all know what is right,” she added.
Mzbel is confident that her daughter will not adopt Christianity due to the upbringing and knowledge she is providing her.
”I wouldn’t be surprised if she became a Christian but it will never happen because of the upbringing I’m giving her,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview,Mzbel disclosed that her son does not adhere to any religious beliefs; instead, he regards her as his guiding force.
She explained that when he requires something, he does not turn to prayer; rather, he approaches her directly to ask.
Mzbel further revealed her own scepticism about the existence of a divine being, stating that she does not pray to any god for her desires. However, she does visit her late mother’s altar to make requests, which she claims are answered.
Mzbel’s son, Okomfo Black, had previously expressed his unorthodox views on religion in an interview.
He challenged the concept of an Almighty God, asserting that every individual possesses inherent divinity and should not worship any supreme deity.
The 10-year-old’s remarks have caused a stir in a society where Christianity and Islam hold significant sway. Many conservative Ghanaians have criticised his stance, leading some parents of his schoolmates to ostracise him.
Senior Economist andDirector of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Dr. John Kwakye, has voiced criticism against the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for characterising the GH¢60.81 billion losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana in 2022 as merely “technical.”
In a published write-up, Dr. Kwakye emphasised that these significant losses reported by the Central Bank during the specified financial year would inevitably lead to cuts imposed on various operations.
Highlighting the tangible impacts, the IEA Director underscored how these losses are already affecting prevailing economic conditions in the country, including exchange rate stability and inflationary pressures.
“Dr. Bawumia said BoG’s action was responsible and that it was temporary, as the bank had advanced money to the government in only two of the past seven years. The Minister of Finance had expressed similar sentiments in the past, which was not surprising because the government was the direct beneficiary of the monetary financing,” he said.
Dr Kwakye continued, “However, as central bankers, we know that the most inflationary source of financing the budget is high-powered money coming directly from the central bank vault. It is not the fact that BoG advanced money to the government that is the issue, for the Bank’s Act provides for such advances up to 5% of the previous year’s revenue.
It is the magnitude of the advance—over 50% of the previous year’s revenue—that is disturbing. It is no wonder inflation peaked at 54.1% in 2022—and depreciation ballooned to 54.2% in November 2022, before falling to 30.0% in December 2022. Meanwhile, as government debt to BoG was also discounted under the DDEP, the Bank made a whopping loss of GH¢61 billion and a record negative equity of GH¢54 billion in 2022.”
He further contended that despite attempts by the Finance Minister and Central Bank Governor to downplay the extent of the losses, the country’s balance sheet suffered a severe blow.
“Both the Minister and the Governor seem to have played down the loss as only a technical one. However, the fact is that the bank’s balance sheet has been severely impacted, and this would force it to cut back on some of its important operations so as to save costs,” Dr Kwakye said.
Ghanaian high-life and afrobeat singer-songwriter Kuami Eugene has earned accolades from popular Ghanaian disc jockeys and radio hosts of Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM for his lyrical prowess in music.
In a captivating two-minute video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the renowned radio personality appeared genuinely enthralled by the afrobeats singer’s profound lyrics, going as far as to hail Kuami Eugene as Ghana’s golden child.
Partnering with Kuami Eugene, according to Andy Dosty, exposed him to the “good songs” yet to be released by Eugene.
“Maybe he wouldn’t be very happy that I’m saying this on the radio about Kuami Eugene. You see, there’s something about Kuami Eugene. See, that boy is golden. Kuami Eugene, that’s our golden child right there.
I happen to be in the studio to work with him on a project and I tell you the number of good songs and I’m stressing on good songs—the songs that he has,” he said.
He added that Eugene has lyrically rich songs that he has yet to release and others that he has crafted and sold to other artists .These yet-to-be-released songs, according to Andy, are way better than the ones the world is enjoying.
“Songs that he has written but not sang yet—songs he has written and is selling—songs he has written but not out yet—are way better than the ones out. And the guy is so rich when it comes to his songwriting. Look, I have never seen anything like that .
No wonder anyone writes a song for the song to blow up. His talent is just amazing,” the Daybreak Hitz show mentioned.
Meanwhile,Andy Dosty featured Kuami Eugene in his “Love You Die” song in 2018. It was nominated for the High-Life Song of the Year at the 2019 Ghana Music Awards and also did well on the Ghanaian music chart.
A latest data from Numbeo has ranked Ghana as the third country in West Africa with the highest cost of living.
Additionally, it holds the 20th position among 24 African countries with the lowest cost of living overall.
Numbeo’s ranking is determined by factors such as the Rent Index, Groceries Index, Restaurant Purchase Index, and Local Purchasing Power Index. Ghana’s overall Cost of Living Index stands at 26.0, contributing to its placement as the third highest in West Africa.
This ranking is attributed to various factors, including the slowdown in inflation and the depreciation of the cedi throughout 2023.
Regarding specific indicators, Ghana’s scores are as follows:
Rent Index: 11.0.
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index: 18.8
Groceries Index: 27.2
Restaurant Purchase Index: 22.9
Local Purchasing Power Index: 14.8
For the highest cost of living among other African countries,Cote d’Ivoire ranked first in Africa and West Africa with a Cost-of-Living Index of 44.7.
Senegal ranked second with an index of 44.0.
Ethiopia was 3rd with a score of 43.1, while Mozambique and Mauritius were 4th and 5th with scores of 43.0 and 39.8 respectively.
Initially, the team faced uncertainty after finishing third in Group A with just three points.
Leading the group were Nigeria, followed by Equatorial Guinea, which had only managed to win one of their three matches, suffering defeats against both Nigeria and the National Thunder.
However, the Elephants managed to scrape through to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-place finishers.
This marked the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset, the head coach, whose uninspiring leadership during the tournament led to his exit.
Emerse Faé, formerly the assistant coach, stepped up as the interim head coach, which proved to be a pivotal moment for the hosts.
Their journey gained momentum as they eliminated defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16 with a narrow 5-4 victory on penalties.
Subsequently, they faced Mali in the quarterfinals, showcasing dominance despite playing with 10 men for a significant portion of the match, eventually securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory in stoppage time.
Advancing to the finals, Ivory Coast secured their place by defeating DR Congo in the semi-finals.
The climax of Emerse Faé’s side’s remarkable journey unfolded on February 11, when they staged a spectacular comeback to defeat Nigeria 2-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Goals in the 62nd and 81st minutes by Frank Kessie and Sébastien Haller, respectively, propelled the hosts to a well-deserved victory on a thrilling night.
This victory marked the 12th occasion in history that a host country has clinched the CAF Africa Cup of Nations title, the first since Egypt in 2006.
It was a momentous achievement for the Elephants, adding to their previous triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
AC Milan maintained their pursuit of the Serie A title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions SSC Napoli, extending their unbeaten league streak to nine games following a goal by Hernandez.
Stefano Pioli marked his 220th match as head coach of the Rossoneri, a milestone that placed him alongside the esteemed Arrigo Sacchi in managerial history.
Despite a close call early on when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s pass found Giovanni Simeone, whose shot narrowly missed the target, Milan soon found their rhythm. Rafael Leao’s perfectly lofted pass set up Theo Hernandez for a clinical finish, reminiscent of Sacchi’s renowned style of play.
After a somewhat sluggish start, Milan regained momentum, with Leao and his teammates pressing forward. However, the injury-enforced substitution of Davide Calabria tempered their progress momentarily.
Napoli’s goalkeeper, Pierluigi Gollini, nearly gifted Milan a second goal but managed to recover after initially fumbling Alessandro Florenzi’s deflected shot.
The pace remained frenetic, with both sides creating chances. Napoli’s Matteo Politano and Simeone threatened, indicating an improved performance from the visitors in the second half.
Despite Milan’s attempts to extend their lead through Leao and Yunus Musah, they couldn’t find the net again. Nevertheless, they held on as Napoli pressed late, with Jesper Lindstrom’s effort hitting the post.
This comes after the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) weekly Treasury Bill Auction, conducted on February 9, 2024.
This resulted in an oversubscription of GH¢2.259 billion. Notably, the previous week’s auction yielded a total amount of GH¢4.527 billion.
Meanwhile, interest rates experienced a slight decrease, ranging from 27.99% to 30.99%.
The latest auction results from the Bank of Ghana indicate that interest rates for the 91-day and 182-day bills currently stand at 27.99% and 30.43%, respectively. For the 364-day bill, interest rates are reported at 30.99%.
With inflation currently at 23.2%, there are positive signs for investors.
All bids tendered in this week’s auction were accepted, with GH¢2.931 billion accepted for the 91-day bill, GH¢1.627 billion for the 182-day bill, and GH¢2.287 million for the 364-day bills.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has announced the government’s intention to reintroduce the contentious Import Restrictions Bill to parliament in the near future.
Last year, the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) faced significant opposition from members of the trading community, including the Minority in Parliament, leading to its withdrawal from consideration.
However, Minister K.T. Hammond has clarified that the government remains committed to advancing the L.I and its objectives. The proposed restrictions aim to address the influx of inexpensive imported goods into the country while safeguarding the interests of local manufacturers by targeting 22 selected items for import control.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary ceremony of Rose Alumnium Company, the Trade Minister said, “How come every conceivable item that we consume in this country is imported? Look at our Balance of Payment accounts. Just last year, in 2023, we imported over $200 million worth of animal intestines (yemuadie) as food.”
“How can we be importing so much rice? The L.I has just been held in abeyance. I can promise you, we are going to lay it. My enemies were going around saying you are cutting imports and there will be starvation. No president will allow starvation. If the policy would starve Ghanaians, the president would have sacked me, he stressed.
The Trade Minister underscored the government’s commitment to enacting legislation that safeguards the interests of stakeholders in both the importation sector and local manufacturing.
Drawing inspiration from successful models in countries like Malaysia and Singapore, the Minister highlighted the importance of protecting domestic businesses to enhance their global competitiveness.
The Import Restrictions Bill, which aimed to regulate the importation of 22 selected items, was put on hold in December 2023 pending further review in parliament.
Nigeria’s loss to host country Cote d’Ivoire in the just-endedAfrican Cup of Nations (AFCON) has garnered widespread reactions.
Some Nigerian celebrities, including Afrobeat sensation Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, appeared to be devastated as her country’s hopes of winning the AFCON trophy were shattered by Ivory Coast.
In a video posted by an X (formerly Twitter) user @GhanaTrends.com and sighted by TIGpost, the musician was drenched in tears as she pleaded for oxygen.
“You think you can embarrass me? Somebody please. Somebody please. I need oxygen. Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast (as she went on sobbing).Eno be don say we don cool for you.I’m feeling decampapu like I can’t. You want to embarrass me? yeeeee. My shirts, my intestines… Aya ya yaaaa! Isakabalalalaaaa, Isakaba,” Teni cried while she expressed her emotions.
😳😳😅 Nigeria’s loss was really a big deal for many including musician Teni |#GhanaTrends follow for more | | | Sabinus Your Papa Blacko Dr. Bawumia Ghana and Nigeria Cote D'Ivoire No Light Lonely Sabinus Kessie Rey Mysterio Nzema Kennedy pic.twitter.com/sDthKCynXh
The 34th edition of the prestigious African Cup of Nations (AFCON) saw the Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire clinch victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a thrilling final showdown.
Despite Nigeria seizing the lead in the 38th minute, Ivory Coast managed to equalise in the 62nd minute and eventually secure the winning goal in the 81st minute of regular play.
William Troost-Ekong netted Nigeria’s goal, while Ivory Coast found the back of the net through strikes from Franck Kessie and Sebastian Haller.
In a captivating match witnessed by their home supporters, the Ivorians dashed Nigeria’s hopes of claiming their fourth AFCON title, ultimately emerging triumphant with a 2-1 victory.
This decisive encounter on Sunday,February 11, 2024, marked the conclusion of the 2023 AFCON tournament, which commenced on January 10, 2024.
Manchester United showed exceptional character and resilience to secure a late winning goal in their 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa, despite facing fatigue towards the end of the match, according to manager Erik ten Hag.
Although Rasmus Hojlund’s early 17th-minute goal was equalized by Douglas Luiz’s strike in the second half, substitute Scott McTominay’s decisive goal in the 86th minute propelled sixth-placed United to 41 points after claiming their third consecutive victory.
“I liked especially the first 20 minutes, when we are dictating the game. After I think we are dropping a little bit too much,” Ten Hag told reporters on Sunday.
“We had our moments in the counter attacks, but yeah, I think then at 1-1, to fight back, we are really happy for today… I think it was really high intensity and you could see how many players were so, so fatigued by the end.
“It was so open and it could go two ways. But then finally, I think we found the mentality and the character to win this game. And I think also the subs, they have had an impact.”
During the victory, Manchester United faced an injury concern as defender Luke Shaw, who has been sidelined for a significant part of the season due to injury, was substituted at half-time.
Ten Hag said the England left back’s substitution was precautionary, adding: “He mentioned some complaints and we can’t take a risk with him, especially Luke Shaw, because he has had so many injuries in the past.
“We took him off so that it did not become an injury. We have to see how it develops in the coming days.”
Arsenal delivered a resounding 6-0 victory over West Ham United in an away fixture, firmly asserting their presence in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
The visitors dominated the game from the outset, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime.
Goals from William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, and Leandro Trossard ensured Arsenal’s overwhelming advantage before the break.
The onslaught continued in the second half, with Saka netting his second goal to make it 5-0. Former West Ham midfielder Declan Rice then added insult to injury by scoring Arsenal’s sixth goal.
The comprehensive victory allowed Arsenal to narrow the goal difference gap with champions Manchester City, bringing both teams level on 52 points in the league standings.
However, Arsenal remains in third place due to a lower goal tally, with City having a game in hand. Meanwhile, league leaders Liverpool maintain their lead with 54 points.
Arsenal’s triumph served as sweet revenge for previous defeats suffered against West Ham earlier in the season, including a League Cup loss and a 2-0 home defeat in December.
This time, Arsenal showcased lethal efficiency, inflicting one of West Ham’s worst home league defeats since 1963.
The magnitude of Arsenal’s dominance was such that thousands of disillusioned home fans left the stadium before halftime, sparing themselves from witnessing further humiliation for West Ham.
Real Madrid hasconfirmed that Jude Bellingham will be sidelined for three weeks due to a high ankle sprain sustained during their LaLiga victory over Girona on Saturday.
Despite scoring twice in the 4-1 triumph against Girona, which propelled Madrid five points clear at the top of La Liga, the England international was forced off before the hour mark with an injury to his left ankle.
Following the match, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that Bellingham would undergo medical examinations.
Subsequently, on Sunday, Madrid confirmed the diagnosis of a sprained ankle.
The timing of the injury is particularly challenging for Madrid as they gear up for Champions League action, facing RB Leipzig in the round of 16 on Tuesday, followed by a LaLiga encounter against Rayo Vallecano next weekend.
Bellingham’s absence poses a significant setback for Madrid, as he is currently their leading scorer with 20 goals across all competitions this season, with 16 ofthose coming in LaLiga.
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder in the men’s marathon at 24 years old, tragically passed away in a road accident in his homeland.
The accident claimed the lives of both Kiptum and his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, as they were travelling on a road in western Kenya on Sunday.
Kiptum had emerged as a formidable competitor to his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners.
His breakthrough came in 2023, notably surpassing Kipchoge’s achievement by clocking 26.2 miles (42km) in an impressive two hours and 35 seconds during the Chicago Marathon last October.
Both Kiptum and Kipchoge had been included in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the upcoming Paris Olympics later this year, showcasing the promising future that Kiptum’s career held before this tragic incident.
Paying tribute to Kiptum, Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote on X: “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”
Kenya’s opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, said the country had lost “a true hero” and was mourning “a remarkable individual… and Kenyan athletics icon.”.
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said Kiptum was “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy.”
The road accident happened at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Giving further details of the crash, police said Kiptum was the driver, and the vehicle “lost control and rolled, killing the two on the spot”.
Kiptum’s car
A spokesman quoted by AFP added that the third passenger, who was female, had been injured and “rushed to the hospital.”.
Just a week ago, his team revealed plans for him to attempt breaking the two-hour barrier at the Rotterdam marathon, a monumental feat yet to be achieved in open competition.
The ascent to stardom for this father-of-two was meteoric; he embarked on his first full marathon journey only in 2022.
Making an immediate impact, he clinched victory at the Valencia Marathon with the then-fourth-fastest time on record (2:01:53), followed by setting a course record of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April 2023.
In a remarkable display of talent, just six months later, Kiptum shattered the world record in Chicago in only his third marathon, cutting an impressive 34 seconds off the previous record.
His tactical prowess was evident, employing a distinctive strategy of sticking with the pack for 30 kilometres before accelerating and seizing control of the race on his own.
Kiptum’s journey began in 2018 when he competed in his first major event, donning borrowed shoes due to financial constraints that prevented him from purchasing his own pair.
He represented a new generation ofKenyan athletes who launched their careers in road racing, departing from the conventional path of starting on the track before transitioning to longer distances.
In an interview with the BBC last year, Kiptum attributed his unconventional trajectory to the simple reality of lacking resources.
“I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained.
His coach, Hakizimana, 36, was a retired Rwandese runner. Last year, he spent months helping Kiptum target the world record.
Their relationship as coach and athlete began in 2018, but the pair first met when the world record holder was much younger.
“I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefoot,” Hakizimana recalled last year. “It was in 2009; I was training near his father’s farm; he’d come kicking at my heels and I would chase him away.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is considering making a move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leão, as reported by Calciomercato.
With Kylian Mbappé likely to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer, PSG is exploring potential options to bolster their forward line.
Sources informed ESPN that the 24-year-old Leão has emerged as a primary target for PSG, according to Calciomercato.
Although PSG had shown interest in Leão last summer following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar, no bid materialised, largely due to Mbappé’s decision to remain with the French club.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gA75cWyBvFg
However, with Mbappé’s situation set to change, PSG could be inclined to pursue Leão once the transfer window opens, though there has been no communication between the two clubs thus far.
Portugal international Leão enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, tallying 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions. However, he has struggled to replicate that form this season, only scoring three goals in Serie A.
‘Struggling’ English Premier League club Chelsea has entered the fray in the pursuit of Spanish-Ghanaian forward Nico Williams.
The talented player, a younger sibling of Ghanaian striker Inaki Williams, has garnered attention from numerous clubs over the past year. Currently under contract with Athletic Club, Nico Williams has demonstrated his potential as a rising star.
His ascent includes breaking into Athletic Club’s starting lineup, solidifying his role as a pivotal winger, and earning a regular spot on the Spanish national team.
Chelsea’s interest signals their desire to strengthen their squad, with reports suggesting that club officials are actively scouting Williams and are keen on securing his services promptly.
Despite Chelsea’s interest, Williams has also been linked with potential moves to other English giants such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
In the ongoing season,Nico Williams has showcased his skills in 20 league appearances for Athletic Club, contributing three goals and six assists to his team’s efforts.
Ghanaian football icon and assistant coach atFC Nordsjaelland, Michael Essien, has heaped praise on Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra following his outstanding display in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on February 11, 2024.
Adingra played a pivotal role in Ivory Coast’s remarkable 2-1 comeback victory against Nigeria, providing assists for both goals.
In the aftermath of the match, Essien took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the talented graduate of the Right to Dream Academy for his exceptional performance and extend his congratulations on the team’s triumph.
“What a player, Felicitation Mon @simon.adingra,” the Chelsea legend wrote.
The player from Brighton and Hove Albion showcased his prowess and was rightfully awarded the title of man-of-the-match.
In addition to his stellar performance, Simon Adingra clinched the Young Player of the Tournament accolade, capping off his tournament contributions with two assists and a goal.
Captain of Equatorial Guinea, Emilio Nsue,has been crowned the recipient of the Golden Boot Award at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON).
With an outstanding total of five goals scored in just four games, Nsue’s exceptional goal-scoring ability remained unparalleled throughout the tournament.
Despite being a 34-year-old right-back for Intercity in Spain’s third tier, Nsue demonstrated remarkable attacking prowess by netting all five goals across two remarkable performances.
Nsue notably achieved a stunning hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau during Equatorial Guinea’s second group stage match.
He then followed this up with a brace in Nzalang Nacional’s memorable 4-0 triumph over Côte d’Ivoire in their final group stage encounter.
Although he missed a penalty in the round of 16 match against Guinea, where Mohamed Bayo scored the winning goal for Guinea, Nsue’s remarkable goal-scoring contributions earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award.
During the closing ceremony, Nsue was duly recognised and presented with the well-deserved Golden Boot award for emerging as the tournament’s top scorer.
In a separate development, Côte d’Ivoire staged an impressive comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over favourites Nigeria, clinching the title at the Alhassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Saturday.
Head of Sports in the media, Dan Kwaku Yeboah has declined to provide commentary on the pledge made by John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), regarding a proposed new strategy for football management in the country.
During one of his campaign tours, John Mahama proposed the adoption of a sporting blueprint aimed at reshaping the management of the Black Stars. This strategy would pivot the team’s composition towards players from the Ghana Premier League, departing from the prevalent reliance on foreign-based players.
Mahama’s stance rests on the belief that nurturing a robust Ghana Premier League would yield players of sufficient calibre to competitively represent the nation on the international stage.
“We will build the new Black Stars based on homegrown players,” Mahama asserted. “Domestic players who have trained together for a long time and work as a team, and then we will bring in the foreign ones to blend with them.”
The issue came up for discussion on the Tuesday, February 6, 2024 edition of Okay FM’s breakfast show and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, who was one of three panellists on the show declined to comment on the promise made by the former president.
While maintaining that his decision is not influenced by fear of anyone, Kwaku Yeboah was worried by what he views as the consistent spinning of his comments on any issue relative to the former president.
“Only God gives life and only he can take it so I don’t fear any human. I respect every human being but I don’t fear anyone. I have been framed as someone who revels in attacking men, and I wasn’t brought up that way so it hurts to see those things. If he were a family member of mine, I’d be glad, so I can never disrespect him, but I don’t want the attacks to continue,” he said.
Kwaku Yeboah mentioned his response to John Mahama’s promise to scrap the payment of ex-gratia as one incident where he was, in his estimation, attacked by communicators of the NDC.
He defended his statement, insisting that his comment was a mere analysis of Mahama’s promise and not what the NDC communicators perceive it to be.
“I won’t talk about him again. The attacks I suffered from NDC communicators after speaking about the ex-gratia are enough; I won’t talk about him again. I was accused of insulting John Mahama but it was a mere analogy that I drew that our constitution has aberrations.
“We’ve over the years attacked Rawlings due to the constitution so those who came after him should have made efforts to address the inefficiencies in the constitution. Atta Mills is the only person who attempted to address the situation and Mahama came after Mills so if he wanted to scrap ex-gratia, he had the best opportunity to do it because Mills had done the groundwork,” he said.
The 34th edition of the prestigious African Cup of Nations (AFCON) saw the Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire clinch victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a thrilling final showdown.
Despite Nigeria seizing the lead in the 38th minute, Ivory Coast managed to equalise in the 62nd minute and eventually secure the winning goal in the 81st minute of regular play.
William Troost-Ekong netted Nigeria’s goal, while Ivory Coast found the back of the net through strikes from Franck Kessie and Sebastian Haller.
In a captivating match witnessed by their home supporters, the Ivorians dashed Nigeria’s hopes of claiming their fourth AFCON title, ultimately emerging triumphant with a 2-1 victory.
This decisive encounter on Sunday, February 11, 2024, marked the conclusion of the 2023 AFCON tournament, which commenced on January 10, 2024.
Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong has been hailed as the standout performer of the 2023Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), earning the prestigious title of Best Player of the Tournament.
Despite Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the final, Troost-Ekong’s exceptional leadership and skill were evident throughout the competition.
The central figure in POAK’s defence, Troost-Ekong, not only marshalled the backline but also captained the team, demonstrating his versatility and importance on the field.
With three goals in seven games, his contributions were significant.
He notably secured a crucial victory against Ivory Coast in the group stage with a well-taken header, converted a penalty against South Africa, and powered home another header in the rematch against Ivory Coast.
In the final match, Troost-Ekong once again rose to the occasion, scoring a powerful header just before halftime to put Nigeria in the lead.
However, Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessie levelled the score in the 62nd minute, denying Nigeria the ultimate glory.
Despite the disappointment in the final, Nigeria’s journey to the pinnacle was remarkable, especially considering the early setback of losing two group stage matches under former coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
However, it was Ivory Coast that ultimately emerged victorious, clinching their third continental title and etching their name in history as the first host nation to claim victory since Egypt in 2006.
Arsenal Fan TV conducted an interview featuringGabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a Ghanaian lawyer and lifelong Arsenal supporter, along with musician Stonebwoy, during their visit to Ghana.
In the interview led by Robbie of AFTV, Gabby Otchere Darko provided an update on Thomas Partey’s injury status, assuring fans that the midfielder would return to action soon.
However, some Arsenal fans criticised AFTV for interviewing the lawyer of a player allegedly under investigation. They argued that since the player was facing allegations, it was inappropriate for AFTV, a platform aimed at providing fans with a voice, to feature the player’s lawyer.
Entertainment journalist Olele Salvador clarified the situation, explaining that Arsenal fans pressured AFTV to remove the video after flooding the comment section on YouTube.
“@DTSIntel reveals that a YouTube interview conducted by Robbie Lyle of Arsenal Fan TV (AFTV) with Gabby Otchere Darko, allegedly Thomas Partey’s lawyer, and a conversation with Stonebwoy have been removed by the channel due to severe backlash from some sections of the Arsenal FC fanbase.
“Some fans called for the cancellation of theYouTube channel due to connections with rape allegations against the Ghanaian and Premier League midfielder.
“Initially, a thumbnail used for the video was changed, but it failed to alleviate the pressure, leading to the video being taken down.”
In 2023, Gabby Otchere-Darko disclosed that he serves as the legal representative for both Arsenal and Ghanaian football sensation Thomas Partey.
A fervent supporter of Arsenal, Gabby has been frequently seen alongside the player, both in Ghana and London, and has attended matches at the Emirates Stadium on multiple occasions.
During an interview with Asempa FM in March 2023, discussing how foreign clubs generate revenue from their players, Gabby affirmed his representation of Partey and mentioned the perk of accessing the Emirates Stadium for games, utilising the player’s box in the stands.
“If you go to Emirates, which is my number one stadium and probably I’d add Kumasi Sports Stadium, Baba Yara,. The players, who are paid 100,000 pounds and whatnot, buy boxes. If I visit Emirate, Thomas Partey is my client; I’m his lawyer, so I sit at his box for free,” he said.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darkois a highly respected solicitor and barrister with qualifications from the UK.
With more than thirty years of experience as an investment lawyer and consultant, he has operated extensively across Europe and Africa.
His keen involvement in politics, particularly in African affairs, has earned him recognition as a prominent Political Risk Analyst in the region.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has reacted to remarks made by Thomas Frank, with the Bees’ head coach effectively indicating that Toney is expected to be sold in the upcoming months.
Ivan Toney emphasised that he cannot compel clubs to pursue him, following Brentford manager Thomas Frank’s acknowledgment that Toney is likely to depart this summer.
The 27-year-old striker, who missed a significant portion of the 2023–24 season due to a ban for breaching betting regulations, was still heavily linked with a transfer during the January window, with Arsenal showing interest.
Toney, who has scored three goals in four matches since his return, will have only 12 months left on his contract by summer’s end. Frank confirmed earlier this week that Toney will likely be sold at the conclusion of the season.
In an interview with Danish magazine Tipsbladet, it was claimed that Frank had conceded: “It’s quite obvious that Ivan Toney will most likely be sold in the summer. It can be expensive to sell your best player but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us.
“Of course, the Bees boss wants to keep his talisman. But Toney was asked for his reaction to Frank’s comments after scoring in Brentford’s 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday and quipped, “I see that [Frank’s comments] as he doesn’t want me!
“The manager has said what he’s said but I can’t make clubs come and get me. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s scoring goals. What will be will be.”
Although Arsenal are long-term admirers of Toney, the Gunners were unable to add him to their squad in the winter transfer window as a result of their Financial Fair Play commitments.
Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly discontent with his situation at Bayern Munich and may seek a departure from the club during the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The 24-year-old defender finds himself outside of manager Thomas Tuchel’s preferred choices for the Bundesliga champions, particularly when all defensive options are available.
This dissatisfaction was evident during Bayern’s recent 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, where De Ligt remained on the bench for the entire match despite his notable performance and goal in the previous victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Although De Ligt is contracted with Bayern until 2027, it appears unlikely that he will remain in Bavaria for the entirety of his current deal.
Interest in the Dutch international is expected to arise in the transfer market, with European powerhouses such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Barcelona reportedly monitoring his situation.
In addition to discussing De Ligt’s predicament, Plettenberg also hinted at Thomas Tuchel’s ongoing interest in securing the services of Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan has been linked with Bayern, with speculation dating back to before the January transfer window.
However, no concrete move for Araújo has yet materialised, as his contract with Barcelona is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Independent presidential aspirant and leader of the Movement for Change,Alan Kyerematen, firmly believes that Ghana has the capability to clinch theFIFA World Cup title.
However, he underscores that this lofty goal can only be attained through a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s sports framework.
During an interview with Akoma FM in Kumasi, Kyerematen stressed the imperative of implementing substantial changes in governance, particularly within the sports sector, to pave the way for Ghana’s success on the global stage.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: we need a significant shift or transformation in our governance, including sports,” he stressed.
“When the great transformation begins in sports, believe me, Ghana can win the World Cup.”
Kyerematen’s vision for Ghana’s sports industry revolves around his ambitious ‘Great Transformation Plan (GTP),’ a comprehensive strategy aimed at rejuvenating national morale and propelling the country to new heights, particularly in sports.
This declaration comes on the heels of the Black Stars’ disappointing performance in recent international tournaments, including the 2023Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where they failed to secure a single victory and exited the group stage for the second consecutive tournament.
Additionally, the national team’s inability to progress to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup has reignited calls for reforms within the sports sector.
Kyerematen is confident that his GTP plan has the potential to reverse this trend and position Ghana as a formidable contender in global sports.
With the 2024 elections approaching,Kyerematen’s “Great Transformation Plan” may prove to be a deciding factor for voters, offering a compelling vision for the future of Ghana’s sports and national pride.
Whether or not his ambition will translate into reality remains to be seen, but his determination to transform Ghana’s sports landscape is certainly generating excitement among sports enthusiasts and Ghanaians alike.
A comical blunder by Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Ofori during Ghana’s match against Mozambique has been highlighted in a short documentary released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) focusing on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The scene depicting Richard Ofori’s costly mistake, where he inadvertently touched a ball heading for a goal-kick, was prominently featured in the CAF documentary, released ahead of the tournament finals on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Despite Ghana’s strong position to advance to the knockout phase of the AFCON, Richard Ofori’s goalkeeping error became a widely shared meme from the tournament.
Ofori’s decision to intervene with the ball instead of allowing it to go out for a goal-kick resulted in a corner kick for Mozambique during the final group B match.
Subsequently, Mozambique capitalised on the corner, scoring a goal that ultimately led to Ghana’s elimination from the tournament.
Richard Ofori faced criticism and threats following the mistake, although he reportedly explained the incident to a former Kotoko forward. Ofori attributed the error to the uneven nature of the pitch at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, where the game was held.
“He (Richard Ofori) has spoken to Maxwell Baako. They were teammates at Wa All Stars so they still have a good relationship. According to Baako, Ofori told him that the pitch was not good so the ball was often bouncing.
“He thought the ball came off one Ghanaian player so he wanted to catch it and prevent a corner kick. Some of the players begged him to leave it but before he could pull out, the ball bounced on the pitch and he scraped his hands, resulting in a corner kick. It was not deliberate,” he said.
The Black Stars ended their 2023 AFCON campaign without a victory, managing two draws and suffering one defeat in Group B.
They began with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in the tournament’s opening match. Subsequently, they secured 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique in their second and final group-stage encounters.
Despite their efforts, the Black Stars garnered only two points and faced elimination from the tournament due to a goal deficit. This marks their second consecutive group-stage exit from the AFCON, following a similar outcome in the 2021 edition.
Following the disappointing performance inIvory Coast, Chris Hughton has been dismissed by the Ghana Football Association.
Hearts of Oak have named Ivorian coach Aboubakar Ouattara as their new head coach, marking an abrupt change in leadership for the club.
The announcement, disclosed on Friday, February 9, signals a swift transition in management.
As per the club’s official statement, Coach Aboubakar Ouattara has inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with Hearts of Oak. He is slated to commence training sessions with the team following their friendly match against the Techiman Eleven Wonders over the weekend.
“The Board of Accra Hearts of Oak has appointed Ivorian coach Aboubakar Ouattara as the club’s substantive head coach. His appointment takes immediate effect.
“Coach Ouattara has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club and is expected to start training next week when the team returns from this weekend’s friendly game against Techiman Eleven Wonders,” the statement from Hearts of Oak said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA_2qpEjbbE
Replacing Martin Koopman, who was relieved of his duties in the early stages of the 2023–24 Ghana Premier League season, Aboubakar Ouattara steps into the role as head coach.
With a CAF Licence ‘A’ coaching certificate, Coach Ouattara boasts extensive experience, having tasted success across multiple African nations in coaching and technical director roles.
The Hearts of Oak board shows unwavering faith inCoach Ouattara’s capabilities to steer the team towards triumph, signalling a fresh era for the club under his leadership.
A dispute over land ownership in East Legon took centre stage as a representative from the Lands Commission testified in a case where business mogul Dr. Daniel McKorley, CEO of McDan Group, and another individual were sued for alleged trespassing on the contested property.
The plaintiff, Magnus A. L. De Souza, has filed a lawsuit against Joseph Nii Mensah Ashong and Dr. McKorley for allegedly encroaching on his land.
During the proceedings, Nii Akwei Bruce-Thompson, counsel for the plaintiff, questioned the witness from the Lands Commission about the ownership of the land in question.
The witness, Jacqueline Osarfo Dikoh, a Senior Lands Administration Officer representing the Executive Secretary of the Commission, confirmed that Magnus A. L. De Souza is indeed the rightful owner of the land.
To support her testimony, Dikoh presented documents indicating that the government had granted a lease to Prof. David Kpapko Acquaye on March 25, 1977. Subsequently, Prof. Acquaye assigned his interests to Magnus A. L. De Souza through a Deed of Assignment dated November 8, 1995.
Dikoh submitted relevant documents to the court, including the Deed of Assignment from the Government of Ghana to Prof. David Kpakpo Acquaye, the Deed of Assignment from Prof. Acquaye to Mr. Magnus A. L. De Souza, and correspondence between the plaintiff’s lawyer and the Lands Commission confirming the validity of the plaintiff’s ownership.
Additionally, Dikoh confirmed that Mr. De Souza had fulfilled all financial obligations related to the land, including stamp duty and ground rent, up to 2024.
Further clarifying the land’s history, Dikoh explained that the British Colonial Government had acquired the land in 1944 for airport expansion.
The lease was later sold to Prof. Acquaye, who subsequently sold it to Mr. De Souza, establishing Mr. De Souza’s rightful ownership.
Justice Rita Abena Abrokwa Doko instructed that photocopies of the submitted documents be provided to the court and served to the defendants’ lawyer. The case was adjourned until March 4, 2024, for cross-examination.
Background
Mr. De Souza initiated legal action against Joseph Nii Mensah Ashong and Daniel McKorley, alleging trespassing on his land, with the first hearing held on July 31, 2017.
Subsequently, on February 13, 2020, De Souza’s legal representative filed a motion for an interlocutory injunction. Justice Doko granted the injunction on the same day, ordering the defendants and any associated parties to refrain from interfering with De Souza’s land until the conclusion of the case.
In his defence, Ashong disputed De Souza’s claim, asserting that his late father acquired the land from the Nii Odoi Atsem family of La in 1974 and immediately took possession. Ashong argued that De Souza, being a non-Ghanaian, unlawfully held an interest in the land for over 50 years, contravening Act 1036 of the Land Act, 2020, and the 1992 Constitution.
However, during cross-examination in July 2023, De Souza countered these claims, demonstrating that his lease had not expired. Additionally, Ashong claimed to have commenced construction on the land in 2000 but later demolished it to start afresh with financial backing from his partner.
He maintained that the land was legitimately granted to McDan by his family, the Nii Odoi Atsem family of La and Okponglo, as evidenced in his statement to the police.
“Neither the plaintiff nor his grantor has possessed the land in dispute or entered or done anything on the disputed land for these years that they claim to have acquired the land. If the plaintiff or his grantor did have any interest in the disputed land, that cannot be the reality now, as for the past 10 years they have not developed or exercised any act of possession on the land, he added.
TheLands Commission witness, however, gave evidence that in their files, Mr. De Souza is the registered owner of the land.
