The Paramount Queen of Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV, has made a plea to the Volta River Authority (VRA) to consider providing a commuter bus for children residing in the new resettlement camps.
The aim is to facilitate their transportation to and from school, alleviating the stress they currently endure.
Mamaga Sreku emphasized that such a corporate responsibility from the VRA could significantly contribute to easing the trauma experienced by these children due to the floods caused by the spillage from the Akosombo Dam late last year.
During a visit by the United States Ambassador, Virginia Palmer, and a delegation from the US Embassy to Agbetikpo last Thursday, Mamaga Sreku highlighted the current challenges faced by children from the resettlement camps at Mepe-Degorme.
She mentioned that these children walk approximately two kilometres to attend school in the main town of Mepe and then walk back to the camps after classes. This exhausting situation, she noted, has been discouraging some children from attending school altogether.
Visit
During her visit to the local DA Basic School camp, the US Ambassador presented a consignment of learning materials to the children. Coincidentally, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, also visited the same venue.
Ms. Palmer emphasised the significance of education as an essential human right and a crucial catalyst for peace and development. She expressed that her visit to the area allowed her to witness firsthand the dedication of stakeholders to the education of the children, especially in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.
Inconvenience
Mamaga Sreku revealed that the two resettlement camps housed approximately 180 basic school children. The traditional authorities discovered that at least 20 children, predominantly from kindergarten, were not attending school due to the considerable distance they had to walk between the camps and their schools.
She further explained that the floods had severely impacted the residents, stripping them of their primary livelihoods, which included farming, fishing, and oyster picking. The once-clear river had now turned muddy, with significant weed growth on the riverbed.
ECG bills
The Mepe Paramount queen also implored the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to look into the possibility of sparing the people of Mepe and nearby communities the agony of paying electricity bills for some time until they regained their livelihoods again.
“Now, the ECG is sharing bills to the people who are now left with no source of income, and that is not fair,” Mamaga Sreku said.
She noted that for several decades, the people of the area had not been compensated for the havoc wreaked on them from the construction of the Akosombo Dam, stressing that “ now, more than ever, the people genuinely need relief from the payment of power bills for a while to enable them to recover from the hardships they were going through and get set for a new livelihood.”
More schools
Meanwhile, the minister of education has given an assurance that there were plans to build schools at every resettlement camp in areas affected by the floods as soon as possible.
“This is because we attach great importance to the education of our children,” he added.
A nine-member National Executive Committee of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has been officially inaugurated with a mandate to enhance the conditions of service for its members through effective advocacy and quality leadership.
Dr. Yaw Baah, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), emphasised the challenging circumstances under which the newly elected leaders assumed office.
Key issues confronting members, as highlighted by Dr. Baah, include an inadequate salary structure, challenging conditions of service, and substantial tax burdens.
The call to the committee is to address these pressing concerns and work towards improving the overall welfare of the association’s members across the country.
“You have been elected at a time when there is a big fight on our hands and we are going to fight until we win.”
“The workers you are leading are suffering and all your members want from you is high-quality leadership,” Dr Baah said.
Swearing-in
The recently elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) have assumed their roles. The elected officials, who will serve for the next four years, include President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, First Vice President Samuel Alagkora Akologo, Second Vice President Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, and Assistant General Secretary Anthony Sopaal.
Completing the roster areNational Treasurer Moses Anyigba, Assistant National Treasurer Thomas Jafouk Lambon, Public Affairs Relations Officer Joseph Wolimmor Krampah, and Assistant Public Relations Officer Philimon Gyapong.
Under the guidance of GRNMA’s Legal Advisor, Dr. Patrice Fidelis Seddoh, the new committee members took the oath of office and secrecy.
The inauguration ceremony, chaired by Chief Labour Officer Dawuda Ibrahim Braimah from the Labour Department, acknowledged the critical role of nurses and midwives, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding humanity. He encouraged the newly appointed leaders to seize the opportunity to be agents of positive change, advocating for the welfare of members and fostering a resilient and empowered community.
Strategies
The President, Mrs Ofori-Ampofo, explained that the leadership would focus on executing its five-year strategic plan with emphasis on leadership and government, education, research, welfare of members, communication and campaign, and influencing policy in a bid to uplift the image of the profession in Ghana and beyond.
Beyond that, she said the leadership would also focus on maintaining good relationship with its stakeholders to help serve members better.
On the trend of migration, the President urged the government to improve the working conditions of members to ensure that nurses and midwives stayed back to serve the nation.
She further disclosed that the leadership was working closely with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to help refine the payment structure of members.
Ghana’s defender, Denis Odoi, has candidly addressed the goals conceded in their final Group B game against Mozambique at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Club Brugge player criticised the two goals as “stupid,” emphasising the team’s inability to compete when conceding in such a manner.
The first goal came in the 91st minute when Andre Ayew conceded a penalty, and the second resulted from a misjudgment by Richard Ofori, leading to a corner and Mozambique’s equaliser.
This pattern of defensive lapses echoed throughout the tournament, contributing to the team’s struggles.
With hopes of advancing to the round of 16 relying on complex mathematical calculations as one of the four best third-placed teams, the Black Stars face slim chances.
Expressing his dissatisfaction to the media in the mixed zone after the game, Odoi delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s performance, highlighting the critical need for defensive improvement to remain competitive in the tournament.
“If you look at the goals we conceded, we can’t say we deserve any more. It’s just about the goals we conceded; they are stupid,” he said.
“Stupid mistakes and if you give away the balls like that, we cannot compete.”
Ghana is third in Group B with two points from a 2-1 defeat toCape Verde in their opening game, a 2-2 draw against Egypt in the second and another 2-2 draw versus Mozambique in the final match, which they had under control for more than 90 minutes.
Ghana drew 2-2 with Mozambique in their last Group B game, which has left the team on the brink of exiting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament at the group stage.
The Black Stars appeared to be cruising for the majority of the game, until the 91st minute, when substitute Andre Ayew conceded a penalty for the Mambas to pull one back, before they scored the equaliser four minutes later from a corner, which was conceded when Richard Ofori inexplicably touched the ball, which appeared to be heading out.
The result has left Ghana 3rd in Group B with only 2 points from their three games played so far, having lost 2-1 to Cape Verde in their first game and drawn 2-2 in their second against Egypt .
And the Black Stars are certainly down at the moment, but not completely out, at least not technically anyway, even if they harbour only the slimmest of chances to qualify.
Four 3rd place teams will qualify for the round of 16 at this competition, and with host nation Côte d’Ivoire finishing 3rd with 3 points and Namibia currently ranked 3rd in their group with 3 points, both teams are already ahead of the Black Stars in the pecking order of 4th place teams to qualify.
That leaves only two routes through which the Black Stars can qualify.
Those two places are currently contested by Algeria (2 points), Zambia (2 points), Ghana (2 points) and Cameroon (1 point). The other three teams all still have a game left, with Ghana having played all their games.
So in order for Ghana to qualify, Zambia must lose to Morocco, Algeria must also lose to Tanzania, and Cameroon must not beat The Gambia.
If that happens, Zambia will remain on 2 points, Algeria will also remain on 2 points, and Cameroon will also get up to 2 points with a draw.
So one of Algeria and Zambia must lose by at least a 2-goal margin to swing the GD in favour of the Black Stars, with all the others also losing, of course, before Ghana can sneak through.
Yes, I know the math is convoluted and confusing, and you have probably given up already.
But it is still my duty to inform you that the chance exists, even if it’s 0.0001 at this point.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Mohamed Salah could miss the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brentford on Feb. 17 after the Egypt forward’s agent said he faces “21–28 days” out of action with a hamstring injury.
Salah, 31, is due to return to Liverpool this week to undergo intensive treatment on the injury he sustained against Ghana in an effort to boost his hopes of being fit for the semifinal stage of the AFCON should Egypt progress to the final four.
But Ramy Abbas Issa, Salah’s long-standing representative, posted on X on Monday that the Liverpool star faces a race against time to regain full fitness in order to play again for Egypt at the tournament in Ivory Coast.
“Mohammed’s injury is more serious than first thought and he will be out for 21–28 days, not 2 games,” Issa said in a post. “His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit.”
Liverpool sources informed ESPN that their projected timeline for Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation aligns with the statement made by his agent, Ramy Abbas Issa.
The Egyptian forward is facing a significant recovery period after sustaining a hamstring injury, as Issa indicated “21–28 days” of potential absence from action.
Egypt concluded the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday with a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Cape Verde Islands, securing Salah’s team a place in the round of 16.
Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in a £34.3 million transfer in 2017, Salah has remarkably missed only two games due to injury.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Sunday that Salah will be returning to the club for treatment. However, considering the AFCON Final is scheduled for February 11, the specified recovery time of 21–28 days would rule him out for the remainder of the tournament.
Additionally, this puts into question his availability for Liverpool’s crucialPremier League match, six days later, as they currently lead the standings.
Mobile Money(Momo) Agents Association of Ghana (MMAAG) has raised concerns about the reported harassment faced by certain Mobile Money (MoMo) Agents.
The Association deems the persistent arrests of its members by individuals on suspicion of fraudulent activities unjust. Dela Dunstan Abotsi, the president of theMobile Money Association of Ghana, affirmed the Association’s dedication to seeking justice for these agents in an interview with Citi News.
“Regarding how our members are being arrested left and right, there is one particular issue that we are monitoring closely. One of our members was arrested at Tema Community 5 and sent to Port Harbour Police Station. He was later transferred from Port Harbour to the Akosombo police station. Somebody came to withdraw fraudulent money from his end, which he claimed he wasn’t aware of. Based on that, he was arrested, made to pay the money, amounting to 8,000 Ghana cedis, and his home was confiscated. These are issues we are following closely.”
Additionally, the Association plans to convene a consultative meeting with stakeholders to discuss their recent decision to cap cash withdrawals at a maximum of one thousand cedis per transaction, following a meeting with the telecommunications network last week.
“MMAAG cannot make the decision alone, so we will have a meeting and decide the next line of action. We had a meeting, and all the Associations were on board. We will go back to our drawing board to have a meeting with the four Associations (the Northern MoMo Agents Association of Ghana (NOMAAG), the Mobile Money Advocacy Group (MOMAG), the Mobile Money Agents Association Ghana (MMAAG), and the ABAG) to decide on our next course of action.”
Disciplinary Board of theConfederation of African Football (CAF) has levied a fine of $15,000 against the Ghana Football Association for incidents involving fans during the Africa Cup of Nations Match 4 between Ghana and Cape Verde on January 14, 2024.
According to the Safety and Security Official, there was a disturbance at halftime at stand N°18, involving two groups of Ghanaian supporters, with the use of tear gas during the altercation.
The Disciplinary Board reached this decision after a thorough examination of all facts, allegations, legal arguments, and evidence presented during the proceedings. The Ghana Football Association is required to settle the fine within 60 days from the date of the decision.
GFA, in a statement, called on the “supporter groups and all Ghanaians who are in Côte d’Ivoire to cheer the Black Stars to put up the best of behaviour within the laws of the game.”
“The Ghana Football Association will liaise with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under whose authority the supporters travelled to the tournament, and the leadership of the supporters groups to avoid any future occurrence,” theGFA added in its statement.
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager at the age of 51, expresses confidence that playing at home will be a crucial factor in overturning the League Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.
The London club, with a history of winning the League Cup five times, is set to face Middlesbrough on Tuesday, entering the match with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
“It is a passport to the final, to visit Wembley. It’s really important for us, the club, and for everyone,” Pochettino told reporters on Monday.
“We want to be in the final but first of all, we need to beat a very good team in Middlesbrough. We could not beat them in the first leg, but we are very confident that we can have a very good game in front of our fans and the energy from the fans.”
There is no chance French forward Christopher Nkunku will be fit to play due to a hip injury, the manager said, and Chelsea will also be without right back Malo Gusto.
Chelsea have recalled midfielder Cesare Casadei and forward Diego Moreira from loan spells at Leicester and Olympique Lyonnais.
“It will help us, as we had been suffering from injuries,” Pochettino said.
Casadei is ineligible to participate in this week’s League Cup or FA Cup matches as he has already featured for Leicester in both competitions.
Chelsea currently finds themselves in the ninth position on the Premier League table, trailing 12 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. They will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
Under Pochettino’s management,Chelsea has maintained an unbeaten record in their last eight games at Stamford Bridge across all competitions. Their upcoming league fixture is against league leaders Liverpool on January 31.
Kumasi Traditional Council has issued a summons to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), regarding alleged derogatory remarks made against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Council has requested the NPP leadership ensure Wontumi’s appearance before them next Monday to address concerns related to comments reportedly made during the vetting of parliamentary aspirants in Manhyia South.
In response to the summons, the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, accompanied by some regional party officers, visited the Manhyia Palace.
During the meeting, the General Secretary informed the Council that Chairman Wontumi is currently unwell and requested a two-week grace period to facilitate his appearance.
Expressing displeasure over the alleged remarks, members of the council, representing the Ashanti Kingdom, insisted on Wontumi’s appearance, even if it necessitated him coming in a wheelchair.
The Council also took note of comments made by legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw against the chiefs during a program on Wontumi Television.
Presided over by Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, the Council emphasised that Chairman Wontumi, Maurice Ampaw, and the management of Wontumi Radio and TV should appear before them next Monday.
NPP has distanced itself from alleged comments by Maurice Ampaw against the Chiefs during the TV show, with the party’s General Secretary assuring the Council of their commitment to ensuringChairman Wontumi honors the invitation.
The timing and manner of Jose Mourinho‘s dismissal came as a surprise more than the sacking itself, with results and mood in the locker room a problem for some time.
In the last press conferences, he appeared disengaged, down in the dumps, almost resigned. He was unrecognisable.
Mourinho was, is and probably will forever be one of the faces of world soccer, which is why his dismissal is always something of a shock. On May 4, 2021, he had been chosen, called and brought to Rome by President Dan Friedkin, the same man who in recent weeks contributed to the decision to put an “end” to his tenure in the capital.
Despite Mourinho’s continuous declarations of love for the team, the fans, and the environment, Friedkin was not pitied or won over by the Special One’s words. Quite the contrary. After a difficult period in which Roma took 6 points out of 18 available, came the decision to sack him.
How did we arrive at this decision? That is the real point of the question. Not whether or not it was right to fire Mourinho, because the team’s performance had drastically declined and ninth place in the standings was not in the least bit acceptable.
Budapest broke Jose and us
A section of Roma fans are not taking the decision to fire Mourinho in January well at all, because in their opinion, the Portuguese has given so much to Roma that he at least deserved the chance to work until June, for better or worse.
The truth, or at least that is the thinking of the person who’s writing this piece, is that the roads had to break after the Budapest final. The cursed final was lost to Sevilla because of a hugely controversial refereeing performance by Anthony Taylor.
José Mourinho’s record with Roma:
▪️ 138 games ▪️ 68 wins ▪️ 30 draws ▪️ 40 losses ▪️ 49% win percentage 🥈 Europa League final 🏆 Conference League pic.twitter.com/AH2BsJaW6S
That night was to endMourinho’s adventure at Roma with a victory and another trophy lifted to the sky—an incredible, legendary success that Mourinho and his Roma had deserved on the pitch, playing better with heart, pride, and dignity. Something broke that night—not only the hearts of Roma fans but probably Jose’s himself.
The truth is that it is impossible to judge Mourinho’s experience at Roma by talking only about results. No one can call his experience a “failure,” and the reasons for this are many. First of all, Mourinho won the Conference League, Roma’s first European trophy (apart from the Fairs Cup), he then came close to clinching the Europa League trophy.
He also allowed the arrival of champions such as Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, he created in Rome an atmosphere not seen in a long time of union of absolute enthusiasm between the city, the team and the fans; he made so many fans proud; he defended Roma against everything and everyone.
Roma fans were proud of Mourinho’s Roma and of having the Portuguese on the bench, despite the fact that at times things were difficult and the results were not satisfactory. And that in Rome is more important than anything else.
The fact that they felt represented and defended, that they felt that Mourinho was speaking for their people, made Romanisti fall in love with the Portuguese coach, whose name will forever be linked to that of the Giallorossi team. Even if he had won nothing, the journey would still have been unforgettable and forever cherished by Roma fans.
Only Roma fans understand what Jose meant to the club
Giallorossi fans did not start rooting for Roma because of the successes, because of the trophies, because of the titles, but because no other team has that same sense of community, conveys that sense of family. Feeling part of something, feeling represented, that feeling of being “unique” and being “chosen,” – that is what matters most to a Roma fan.
And Mourinho was all of this and more: he had chosen Roma despite being bigger than the club, he spoke on behalf of the fans and defended them against everything and everyone, he spoke words of love despite having coached in Madrid, Milan, London.
No one will ever be able to understand what Mourinho has been for Roma except Roma fans. No fan of any other team will ever understand the empathy, the sharing of battles and values, perhaps not even Roma fans themselves, who at least had the luck and joy of sharing those emotions with other brothers and sisters.
De Rossi’s return something we needed
To replace Jose, Dan Friedkin chose Daniele De Rossi.The man who embodied Romanism and cheered for Roma like no other in history. It was a risky choice from a technical point of view because, although DDR grew up as a player under some of the best coaches in the history of soccer, his only experience on the bench had been at SPAL, which started badly and ended worse.
Daniele signed a contract almost at the minimum wage; he told the owner, “You choose the salary; I don’t care; I’ll sign anyway.”. An act of love, yet another from De Rossi, who, as a player, said, “My only regret is that I could only donate one career to Roma,” and now here is the chance to give his great love another career, that of coaching.
Some have called the decision to entrust him with the team not very clever but he does not care about that; he has already said he will fight to the death to stay on that bench well beyond the 4 months stipulated in the current agreement. “You can’t refuse Roma,” DDR explained, and after the conference, he went straight onto the field to try to solve the team’s problems.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
On January 17, 2024, the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, citing the government’s blatant neglect of their welfare as the primary reason.
Both associations disclosed that the government has repeatedly failed to meet obligations related to their two-tier pension and overdue overtime allowances.
This strike has led to the cessation of various services across public universities.
“TEWU of TUC (GH), is by this statement calling on its members in the Public Universities to join the ongoing strike in solidarity and especially on the non-payment of Tier 2 pension contributions by government that is outstanding for nine (9) months. We wish to serve notice, and is hereby served that the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC (GH) has joined the strike declared by the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG).”
TEWU also called for the government‘s swift response to the action.
“TEWU of TUC (GH) is calling on government to immediately pay the nine months Tier 2 pension contributions arrears of workers of the Public Universities to ensure dignified retirement. It is hoped that the smooth running of Ghana’s Public Universities will be revered in a swift response of the government agencies to forestall disruptions in the academic calendar.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear Sir/Madam
TEACHERS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKERS’ UNION OF TUC (GH) JOINS ONGOING STRIKE IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union of TUC (GH) (TEWU of TUC (GH)), associate itself with the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) in the issues culminating in the current nationwide strike action.
It is noteworthy that the demands for Tier 2 pension payment and the restoration of payments of stopped agreed allowances were among the myriad of issues listed on the petitions to the National Labour Commission (NLC) in October, 2023 which almost led to another joint non-teaching staff Unions strike in the Public Universities.
It is obvious that the patience of the universities workers has waned, and the continued lethargy of government agencies in addressing labour issues will no more be entertained.
TEWU of TUC (GH), is by this statement calling on its members in the Public Universities to join the on-going strike in solidarity and especially on the non-payment of Tier 2 pension contributions by government that are outstanding for nine (9) months.
TEWU of TUC (GH) is calling on government to immediately pay the nine months Tier 2 pension contributions arrears of workers of the Public Universities to ensure dignified retirement.
We wish to serve notice, and is hereby served that the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC (GH) has joined the strike declared by the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG).
It is hoped that the smooth running of Ghana’s Public Universities will be revered in the swift response of government agencies to forestall disruptions in the academic calendar.
Long Live TEWU of TUC (GH)!
Long Live Public Universities!!
Long Live Ghana!!!
……………………………………….
(MARK DANKYIRA KORANKYE)
GENERAL SECRETARY
CC:
The Executive Secretary, National Labour Commission
Hon. Minister, Ministry of Education
Hon. Minister, Ministry of Finance
Hon. Minister, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations
Director General, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
The Chief Executive, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission
World Bank Group tentatively embraced the agreement outlining essential parameters for Ghana’s proposed debt restructuring, as brokered by the Official Creditors’ Committee within the G20 Common Framework.
This accord, aligned with the Joint World Bank-International Monetary Fund (WB-IMF) Debt Sustainability Framework, marks a significant achievement in the journey towards reinstating debt sustainability in Ghana.
In principle, the World Bank Group expressed its approval of the parameters outlined in the debt restructuring agreement for Ghana, which were reached by the Official Creditors’ Committee under the G20 Common Framework. This pivotal agreement, consistent with the Joint WB-IMF Debt Sustainability Framework, represents a crucial step in restoring debt sustainability within the country.
“This agreement will help unlock financial support by international financial institutions, including a US$300 million budget support operation supported by IDA that will be considered by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors next week.
“This will help Ghana in its recovery by attracting investments and restoring a sustainable growth path,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa.
The Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation is the first in a series of three operations totaling US$900 million and part of a broad World Bank engagement in support of crisis response and resilience in Ghana.
The country implements US$4.3 billion in commitments from the World Bank through national and regional projects focused on private sector development and jobs, inclusive service delivery and sustainable, resilient development.
Babymama, of popularcomedian Funny Face, has expressed her confidence to be the first to go to heaven when God comes today.
This comes after entertainment blogger ZionFelix, in an interview, questioned her about the numerous tattoos she has on some parts of her body, including her legs, arms and chest, which is believed to be a violation of the Christian faith.
However, Nicole Vanessa, who professes that she is a Christian, mentioned that her tattoos would not prevent her from making it to heaven, provided God comes any moment from now.
“So then why do we listen to gospel musicians, especially Hilsongs? Their songs are very touching Personally, I love Hillsongs a lot; most of their singers have tatoos. Its all about what your heart is receiving.”.
“Didn’t you hear what Afia Schwaznegger said? Maybe if God comes today, I will be with him in heaven. If he comes today, I will be the first to go to heaven.
The specific passage in the Bible that is often referenced in discussions about tattoos is Leviticus 19:28( ESV), from the Old Testament.
“Thou shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves; I am the Lord.”
Also speaking on fellow church members opinions of her when she goes to church, she mentioned that she doesn’t care as they are all entitled to their opinions, emphasising that even her pastor has a tattoo.
She said, “I’m a Christian, and I go to church.Even my pastor has a tatoo. It’s part of life. My heart belongs to God, but my body will decay.”
Funny Face’s baby mama, Vanessa Nicole, known for her love for
Mostly in Ghana, people who have tattoos are seen as violators of cultural, religious, or social norms.
Tatoos were mostly considered taboo and unacceptable art by Ghanaians.
Mutaz Ibrahim from Libya has been selected as the centre referee for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B match between Mozambique and Ghana.
Assisting Mutaz Ibrahim will be Djibril Camara from Senegal (Assistant I), Abbes Akram Zerhouni from Algeria (Assistant II), and Samuel Uwinkunda from Rwanda (Fourth Official).
The officiating team comprises these individuals for the upcoming game.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has advocated for global stadium bans for fans and proposed “automatic forfeits” for teams in cases where supporters engage in “abhorrent” abuse.
This call comes in response to recent racist incidents during football matches in Italy and England on Saturday.
Infantino emphasised that there is no tolerance for any form of discrimination, whether within football or in a broader societal context.
“The events that took place in Udine and Sheffield on Saturday are totally abhorrent and completely unacceptable,” he said in a statement.
“The players affected by Saturday’s events have my undivided support.”
Fans aimed monkey chants at AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win at Udinese, with the game temporarily halted.
Support from Mbappe
In a strongly worded statement on X, formerly Twitter, the France team said: “You have all our support, Mike Maignan. The FFF (French federation) totally condemns all racist acts.”
France captain Kylian Mbappe also offered his backing to his international teammate.
Tu es très loin d’être seul Mike Maignan. On est tous avec toi. Toujours les mêmes problèmes et toujours AUCUNE solution. Trop c’est trop !!!!!!!!!!!!
“You are very far from being alone, Mike Maignan; we are all with you,” wrote the Paris Saint-Germain star.
“Still the same problems and still NO solution. Enough is enough!!!!! NO TO RACISM” he posted on X.
Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer accused Sheffield Wednesday fans of doing the same towards him during their English Championship clash, which his team won 2-1.
“We need all the relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools so that future generations understand that this is not part of football or society,” Infantino said.
“As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned, as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists.
“FIFA and football show full solidarity with victims of racism and any form of discrimination. Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”
At Udinese, referee Fabio Maresca stopped play during the first half and a livid Maignan stormed down the tunnel with his teammates.
“They’re ignorant people… You can be booed or whistled when you’re away from home; that’s normal, but what happened today has no place in football,” Maignan told Sky Sports.
Play resumed after about five minutes.
Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates walked off the pitch briefly following abuse directed at the goalkeeper from the stands.
Italy, currently under the governance of a coalition led by the far-right Brothers of Italy party, grapples with the prevalence of fascist football fan groups, especially within the dedicated “ultras” who significantly contribute to the stadium atmosphere.
Recently, Lazio faced consequences as they received a one-match stand closure penalty due to fans directing monkey chants at Romelu Lukaku during their Italian Cup victory against local rivals Roma.
In Sheffield, the abusive behavior wasstrongly condemned by Palmer, who labeled it as “abhorrent and wholly unacceptable.” The match was temporarily halted as the referee engaged with both managers on the touchline to address the issue.
In a statement, Sheffield Wednesday said they were “shocked and saddened by the racist gesture from the stands reported by Sky Blues player Kasey Palmer.”
“Both clubs roundly condemn any form of discrimination and abuse, and underline that there is no place for this kind of behaviour in football or our wider society,” it added.
“We will work together with the relevant authorities and anyone proven to be culpable will face the strictest possible sanctions from both Sheffield Wednesday and the law.”
On Saturday, fourAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, Rev. Osei Kofi, James Kuuku Dadzie, Kofi Pare, and Willie Klutse, graced the Black Stars’ training ground in Bengerville to inspire and motivate the team ahead of their crucial final group B clash with Mozambique on Monday.
These football legends, present in Cote D’Ivoire to support the team in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire 2023, bring a wealth of experience and success to boost the current squad.
Rev. Osei Kofi, a revered figure for both Asante Kotoko and Ghana, was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, guiding Ghana to its second triumph. He also secured the third-highest scoring title in the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kofi Pare, a participant in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and a member of the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, boasts a remarkable achievement of scoring six goals in a single match, the highest ever recorded in Ghana.
James Kuuku Dadzie, esteemed as one of Ghana’s finest central defenders, played a pivotal role in the squad that clinched victory in both the 1978 and 1980 African Cup of Nations, contributing to Ghana’s historic three-time win in 1978.
Kuuku Dadzie has also served as the coach of the Black Queens, Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs, and Tema Youth SC.
Willie Klutse, part of the Ghana squad that triumphed in the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations and scored against Nigeria in the finals, currently serves as the Technical Director of former Premier League side Inter Allies Football Club.
These football legends, present inAbidjan since the commencement of the tournament, have been actively supporting the team from the stands during the group games against Cape Verde and Egypt.
Ghana is set to face Mozambique at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe on Monday, January 22, 2024.
Guinean Football Federation and the national team are urging fans to exercise restraint in their celebrations after six individuals lost their lives in the aftermath of Guinea’s 1-0 victory over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.
Enthusiastic Guinea supporters took to the streets across the country to celebrate the win, which has placed coach Kaba Diawara’s team on the verge of advancing to the knockout rounds in the tournament held in Ivory Coast.
In response to the incidents, the Federation has released a video featuring the team, appealing to fans to celebrate responsibly. This call comes ahead of Guinea’s upcoming match against Senegal in the final pool stage on Tuesday.
“What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in a very measured fashion,” the Federation’s media manager Amadou Makadji told the BBC.
“They have to be very careful not to put themselves in danger, because the goal of football is to bring joy and not leave families bereaved.”
A draw against Senegal would send Guinea into the round of 16 and they could advance even if they lose depending on other results.
“We do not want deaths to mourn, so we call on everyone to celebrate but to take care of themselves so that nothing happens to them,” Makadji said.
“Guinea is a country where people are very, very passionate about football and they experience football like nowhere else in the world.”
Man Utd is keeping tabs on Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey, but the likelihood of a January deal is being downplayed, according to a source at ESPN.
United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has expressed interest in acquiring Brobbey from his former club , Ajax, since his initial summer at Old Trafford. Although inquiries were made about the striker’s availability in 2022, the club allocated their budget to other targets, such as Brazil winger Antony.
Despite Ten Hag’s continued interest in Brobbey, who has notched up an impressive 15 goals for Ajax this season, financial constraints, particularly for permanent deals, are reportedly a limiting factor.
Brobbey could potentially provide cover upfront for Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford, especially with Anthony Martial, who is managing a hip injury, expected to stay put in January despite the club’s openness to offers.
While United remains open to potential signings this month, the primary focus has been on addressing financial concerns ahead of the summer transfer window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOC2KSafTbg
The club has already approved several departures, including Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Sergio Reguilón, Hannibal Mejbri, Álvaro Fernández, Joe Hugill, and Mateo Mejia.
With Martial anticipated to leave on a free transfer in the summer, United is actively exploring options for another forward. Brobbey is likely to be part of the conversation, particularly if Ten Hag continues as manager after the impending overhaul led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who recently secured a 25% stake in the club, has made his first major appointment. Omar Berrada, who resigned as the chief football operations officer at Manchester City, will join as CEO.
The official start date for Berrada is yet to be announced as United awaits the ratification of Ratcliffe’s agreement by the Premier League. Ratcliffe and his team anticipate receiving the green light to commence official work in February.
In a remarkable comeback, Ghana secured a convincing 5-1 victory against Senegal in the second leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final round qualifier in Kumasi on Sunday.
Despite Senegal’s early lead (a goal from a corner kick in the fourth minute), Ghana quickly responded, with Maafia Nyame scoring in the 18th minute to level the score.
Shortly after, Beline Nyarko capitalised on a pass from Helen Alormenu, delivering a superb strike into the top corner to put Ghana ahead.
The Black Princesses defended their lead, going into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
After the break, Yussif Basigi introduced fresh players, leading to increased dominance. Tracey Twum converted a penalty in the 67th minute after Salamatu Abdulai was fouled in the box.
Beline Nyarko then showcased skill with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, securing Ghana’s fourth goal in the 72nd minute.
Maafia Nyame and Helen Alormenu’s contributions on the flanks set up Salamatu Abdulai, who scored in the 78th minute, bringing the total to 5. Despite opponent substitutions in a bid for a comeback, Ghana maintained their lead until the final whistle.
With a resounding 7-1 aggregate score, including a 2-0 win in the first leg in Senegal, the Black Princesses have qualified for a record 7th consecutive FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Colombia later this year.
Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton, asserts that his players are well-informed about the necessary steps to achieve the desired outcome in their final group game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana is set to face Mozambique on Monday evening, aiming to secure their initial three points of the tournament after facing setbacks in their first two matches.
The Black Stars suffered a defeat in their opening game against Cape Verde and later relinquished their lead twice to settle for a draw against Egypt in the second fixture.
With just one point from the draw against the Pharaohs, Ghana enters the last round of fixtures, where a victory could significantly enhance their chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition
Addressing the press ahead of Monday’s game, Hughton said: “The players know what it will take to get a result. There are no easy games in this tournament
“We have to be physically and mentally prepared for this.”
A win for Ghana would give them four points and move them to second, depending on the results of the fixture between Egypt and Cape Verde.
Mohamed Salah is set to make a return to Liverpool for treatment on his posterior injury.
However, this will happen only after he observes Egypt’s completion of their group fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, where they are scheduled to face the Cape Verde Islands in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Monday.
The Egypt Football Association (EFA) has confirmed that Salah will resume his treatment at the club, as suggested earlier by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following their convincing 4-0 victory in the Premier League against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Despite Salah’s return to Liverpool, there is still optimism within the Egyptian camp that he might be able to contribute to the tournament, indicating a glimmer of hope for his potential involvement.
“We are hoping to catch him in the semifinals of the Africa Nations Cup in case of qualification,” the EFA said in a statement.
Salah sustained the injury during the match against Ghana on Thursday, and as of now, there is no specified timeline for his recovery. Despite facing the media on Saturday in the Ivory Coast, Salah avoided addressing inquiries about the severity of the injury.
Earlier in the day, Klopp had expressed his anticipation of Salah’s return to Liverpool for rehabilitation, emphasizing the likelihood of him working closely with the medical staff during this period.
“That’s the plan,” Klopp said. “However long he is out, it probably makes sense for everybody to [rehab] with us [in Liverpool] or with our people. That’s the plan. If that’s written in stone already, I don’t know.”
Klopp mentioned that he communicated with Salah on the night of the injury, clarifying that all subsequent contact has been with the Liverpool medical staff. Klopp also indicated that if Salah’s recovery progresses rapidly, there remains a possibility of his return to the AFCON to support Egypt.
“I’m not a doctor,” Klopp said. “I would say if Egypt qualifies for the final then probably yes. Ivory Coast, I’m sure it’s a wonderful country, but we have no people from us there. They have people who have to take care of the players who are playing.”
Salah said on Saturday of the injury: “I am happy to be here; my injury is still there but the most important thing is to speak about the game. We have great players and a great team and we just need to fight and see what is going to happen.”
Despite Salah’s absence, Liverpool comfortably beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday to extend their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League. Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota grabbed two goals apiece in the second half, and Klopp was delighted with their performances.
After a tense first half, Klopp changed things up at the break and played Núñez on the left and Jota through the middle.
“In the moment we find rhythm, we are strong,” Klopp said. “We should start the games better but it’s about 98 minutes; it’s about winning the games in the end. As long as you stay in the game, today, step by step, we found a way and we won.”
While it was the forwards who grabbed the match-winning goals, Klopp was also thrilled with the controlled performance from Alexis Mac Allister at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield.
“Absolutely exceptional performance; I’m so happy for us but for him as well. He’s a really good footballer and defensively, he, he did a job and offensively, he’s a super important player for us. He’s calm on the ball and the good things in the first half were him,” Klopp said.
The manager was also delighted with Conor Bradley’s performance at right-backin his Premier League debut. “Pretty good, really good, very impressive,” Klopp said. “Wonderful kid, really hard worker and a good footballer. It was a good game.”
Real Madrid’s quest for the world’s top young talent persists, with their attention now focused on Man City defender Yan Couto, as reported by Marca.
At 21 years old, Couto is making waves as a right-back for La Liga leaders Girona during his loan spell from City. This marks his second loan stint at the Spanish club since joining City permanently from Coritiba in 2020.
Girona currently leads the division, securing historic victories against powerhouses like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Couto, known for his defensive prowess, also exhibits versatility by contributing to the attack and showcasing promise on the left side of midfield.
His outstanding form has attracted interest not only from Real Madrid but also from Bayer Leverkusen, especially since earning his debut call-up to the Brazil national team last October.
While Couto is under contract with Manchester City until 2025, discussions have arisen about the possibility of his return to feature under manager Pep Guardiola next season.
However, Real Madridis expected to challenge City’s stance with a bid, viewing Couto as the ideal successor to aging stars Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez—a potential “signing for a decade.”
Real Madrid’s scouting efforts extend beyond Couto, encompassing other promising young talents like Leny Yoro from Lille, António Silva from Benfica, and Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio.
Mason Greenwood is set to make a return to Manchester United, and the club is poised to entrust their new sporting director with the responsibility of determining his future.
In September 2023, Manchester United permitted the 22-year-old forward to go on loan to La Liga side Getafe.
This loan agreement has been extended until the conclusion of the season, showcasing Greenwood’s impressive performances in Spain and subsequently attracting interest from clubs such as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Initially, when Greenwood bid farewell to Old Trafford, it seemed he had no future at Manchester United.
His last appearance for the Premier League giants was just before his arrest in January 2022 on charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control. However, these charges were dropped in February 2023, allowing Greenwood to resume his professional career.
Despite his legal clearance, there has been no reintegration for him at Manchester United.
According to Fabrizo Romano, a decision regarding the winger’s long-term future will be deferred until the Red Devils appoint a new sporting director.
Romano has told GIVEMESPORT, with Jadon Sancho also set to return to England from a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund: “At the end of the season, they will have Sancho and Greenwood returning.
With those players, Man Utd and INEOS want a new sporting director to make a decision and be responsible for what they decide to do with these two players.
“So, it’s early, and I think for Greenwood, nothing will be decided now or in February or March. I think it’s something that they will probably discuss in May or June.”
Significant personnel changes are on the horizon, with United expressing interest in recruiting Dan Ashworth from Newcastle as their new sporting director.
Additionally, Omar Berrada is poised to assume the role of CEO after being lured away from Manchester City.
Moses Abor, a prominent contender in the Ayawaso Central race, has accused the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey, of attempting to manipulate the upcoming January 27 elections.
Abor has formally lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, outlining several concerns.
Among the allegations, Abor points to the Regional Minister’s purported plans to deploy “illegal security personnel” and police officers sympathetic to him for election-day security services with the intention of influencing the election outcome. Abor asserts that these actions are aimed at intimidating and harassing delegates who are perceived as supporting him.
Additionally, Abor claims that Henry Quartey and his associates have devised a complex strategy to unlawfully tamper with the election results by stuffing vote boxes with pre-marked ballots.
Moses Abor, who held the position of Greater Accra Regional Youth Organiser for the NPP from 2017 until his resignation in September last year, declared his candidature for the Ayawaso Central seat.
Read Moses Abor’s petition:
I am Moses Abor, an aspiring Member of Parliament in the Ayawaso Central Constituency (hereinafter referred to as “Constituency”) and I refer to the above subject matter.
My attention has been drawn to the fact that the Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament of the Ayawaso Central Constituency. Hon. Henry Quartey, who is also a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary primaries in the same constituency, intends to use illegal security personnel to disrupt the election process on the 27, 2024, to his favour.
Amongst other things, the Greater Accra Regional Minister intends to employ private security personnel and personnel from the Ghana Police Service who owe allegiance to him to intimidate and harass delegates whom he perceives as my supporters on the said day.
I also have information that during counting, he intends to unleash hooligans to snatch ballot papers and possibly burn them to halt the process if it goes otherwise.
Together with my team, we have intercepted a grand agenda by the Regional Minister to stuff the ballot boxes with his thumb-printed ballot papers when voting is ongoing. As law-abiding citizens, we do not intend to take the law into our own hands.
We therefore petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take a special interest in the elections of Ayawaso Central and deploy professional police personnel to the venue on the voting day to avoid clashes and ensure the election is free and fair.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West Constituency, who doubles as Communication and Digitalization Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has bemoaned the devastating effect of the mass exodus of what she labels as experienced MPs from Parliament.
Her remarks follow a voluntary move by some MPs, such as the majority leader and MP for Suame constituency, Hon. Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, who decided to end their parliamentary careers.
During an engagement on UTV’s ‘Mpu ne Mpu” on January 19, 2024, she noted that parliament would struggle with its duties as many of its experienced heads were bowing out.
She highlighted the need for the stay of these MPs to groom and guide the ‘newbies’ who will join the house in 2025 after the 2024 polls.
“One of my chief concerns at the moment is the significant departure of many seasoned MPs from Parliament. In any organisation, a balance between the younger and older (experienced) members is crucial for collective growth. The next House will face difficulties, and we really will due to the loss of many experienced MPs,” she said.
Citing her experience during her early days in parliament, she recapped how an old member of the house, “OB Moah, advised me after I felt bored due to having very little to do. He advised that I join the subsidiary legislative committee if I want to get myself busy. So I did.”
Another MP, the minister, eulogised and expressed her admiration for the former Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Akuapem, WO Boafo, whom she described as a stalwart in legislative processes and dealings.
“WO Boafo, the former Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Akuapem, is a figure I deeply admire. His legislative expertise is unparalleled, making him an invaluable asset in our work. In his absence, we often faced challenges and shortcomings in the effective execution of our duties
All the time, you’d find me around him, under his tutorship, directing me to: Ursula, do it like this, do it like that . So people like this: when they leave parliament,they leave us trained. Another reason why the newbies would have to meet some experienced MPs in parliament is to guide them on what the work of parliament is like,” she added.
In light of this, she has called for a retainment by offering a plea to electorates to retain them in parliament in order for them to be teachers to the new MPs who would join the house in 2025.
Meanwhile, about 20 Members of Parliament have announced their decision to bow out of Parliament come 2025; hence, these MPs did not pick nomination forms.
This announcement was made in a statement on Friday, January 19, 2024, following Ghana’s successful negotiation with bilateral lenders, including China and France, the previous week. This crucial step paved the way for the release of the second disbursement.
Ghana’s achievement of passing its first review under the Fund program, initiated with the initial tranche in May of the preceding year, underscores the country’s commitment to meeting program targets. The government has outlined plans to allocate the newly acquired funds to support activities outlined in the 2024 budget.
The details of this development were shared during a joint press conference on Friday, January 19, 2024, involving representatives from the government, the IMF, and the Bank of Ghana.
In addition to securing the IMF funds, Ghana has successfully negotiated a moratorium with official creditors, extending debt payments until May 2026. The country anticipates finalising an agreement with Eurobond investors to restructure a $13 billion debt by the end of March.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has announced a structured approach to bilateral obligations, with payments totaling $5.4 billion scheduled over two installments spanning 16 and 17 years. This move aligns with the optimistic outlook expressed by the Finance Minister regarding IMF funding, anchored in financial assurance under the G20 Common Framework.
In parallel, the World Bank hassignaled its readiness to provide Ghana with $300 million in budgetary support to aid the country’s economic recovery. The release of this financial support is pending the convening of the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors next week, following the agreement in principle by the Official Creditors’ Committee on the key criteria for Ghana’s planned debt restructuring.
Below is the full press statement from the IMF
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2023 Article IV Consultation with Ghana and Completes First Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the first review of the $3 billion, 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, which was approved by the Board on May 17, 2023 , as well as the 2023 Article IV Consultation with Ghana. The completion of the first ECF review allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 451.4 million (about US$600 million), bringing Ghana’s total disbursements under the arrangement to about US$1.2 billion.
Ghana’s economic performance has been marked by significant volatility over the years. Episodes of strong growth and overall macroeconomic stability were undermined by rising inflation, exchange rate depreciation, and the loss of external buffers, in turn largely reflecting overly accommodative fiscal policies. Most recently, severe external shocks compounded pre-existing fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, exacerbating such volatility and leading to acute economic and financial pressures in 2022.
The authorities’ reform program has been designed to respond to immediate pressures and pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous economy. The ECF arrangement has provided a framework to implement the authorities’ policy and reform strategy to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, address long-standing vulnerabilities, and lay the foundations for higher and more inclusive growth.
Ghana’s performance under the program has been strong. All quantitative performance criteria for the first review and almost all indicative targets and structural benchmarks were met.
Consistent with the authorities’ commitments under the Fund-supported program, Ghana is on track to lower the fiscal primary deficit on a commitment basis by about 4 percentage points of GDP in 2023. Spending has remained within program limits. To help mitigate the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable population, the authorities have significantly expanded social protection programs. On the revenue side, Ghana has met its non-oil revenue mobilization target.
The Ghanaian authorities are also making good progress on their debt restructuring strategy. Their domestic debt restructuring was completed over the summer. On January 12, 2024, the authorities reached an agreement with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) under the G20’s Common Framework on a debt treatment that is in line with Fund program parameters. This agreement provided the financing assurances necessary for the Executive Board review to be completed.
Ambitious structural fiscal reforms are bolstering domestic revenues, improving spending efficiency, strengthening public financial and debt management, preserving financial sector stability, enhancing governance and transparency, and helping create an environment more conducive to private sector investment.
The authorities’ reform efforts are bearing fruit, and signs of economic stabilization are emerging. Growth in 2023 has proven resilient, inflation has declined, and the fiscal and external positions have improved.
Looking ahead, fully and durably restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and fostering a sustainable increase in economic growth and poverty reduction will require steadfast policy and reform implementation.
At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:
“Ghana’s economic performance has been marked by significant volatility over the years. Most recently, severe external shocks compounded pre existing fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, leading to acute economic and financial pressures in 2022. The authorities’ efforts to reorient macroeconomic policies, restructure debt, and initiate wide ranging reforms are already generating positive results, with growth more resilient than initially envisaged, inflation declining, the fiscal and external positions improving, and international reserves increasing.
“Fully and durably restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and fostering higher and more inclusive growth require steadfast policy and reform implementation. The government’s plans to further reduce deficits by mobilizing additional domestic revenue and streamlining expenditure and to finalize its comprehensive debt restructuring are critical to underpin debt sustainability and ease financing constraints. Continued efforts to protect the vulnerable and to create space for higher social and development spending are also key. Reforms to improve tax administration, strengthen expenditure control and management of arrears, enhance fiscal rules and institutions, and improve SOEs management are needed to ensure lasting adjustment.
“The authorities took decisive steps to rein in inflation and rebuild foreign reserve buffers. Maintaining an appropriately tight monetary stance and enhancing exchange rate flexibility are key to achieving the program’s objectives.
“Bank of Ghana had deployed its regulatory and supervisory tools to mitigate the impact of the domestic debt restructuring on financial institutions. The authorities’ strategy aimed at maintaining a sound financial sector, drawing on new resources from the private sector, government, and multilaterals to rapidly rebuild financial buffers, is welcome. Ensuring full implementation of bank recapitalization plans and addressing legacy issues in the financial sector will be important.
“Reforms to create an environment more conducive to private investment are needed to enhance the economy’s potential and underpin sustainable job creation. Given Ghana’s exposure to climate shocks, promoting a green recovery by further advancing the adaptation and mitigation agendas should also remain a priority.”
Dr. Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), expressed strong opposition to the imposition of a 15% value-added tax (VAT) on lifeline electricity consumers, stating that it is detrimental to the welfare of workers.
He questioned the government’s decision to burden already struggling workers with an additional tax, considering the prevailing hardships.
Dr. Baah voiced these concerns during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected leaders of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNA) held at the GRNA head office in Shiashie near Gulf House, Accra, on Tuesday, January 17, 2024.
“This country is called Ghana, and with all the resources we have, now government doesn’t see anywhere else to tax; they are also taxing our electricity. Tomorrow they will tax our water, and we are not going to sit down for that to continue. That’s why I’m saying you are going to have a baptism of fire; we need to fight it until this thing is cancelled,” he told the new executives.
“How can you add this to the problems that we have in this country? The lifeline that they are talking about is just 30 kWh. It used to be 50 kWh; they have brought it to 30 and if you have two light bulbs in your house, two, and you have a television, if you leave your TV on for more than five hours, you will pay this tax,” he said, adding that everyone using a refrigerator will be paying as well.
“Why should this happen in this country? If we don’t resist this, tomorrow they will come and tax water. They will say there is a lifeline. This lifeline they are talking about is two bulbs, part of a television, maybe half of television; if you switch on your fridge, you will pay this VAT.”
Dr. Yaw Baah said the law imposing VAT on power consumption was promulgated in 2013 and wondered why it is only this government that is interested in its implementation.
“Why is it that we are allowing the IMF to dictate to us to implement it now?So Comrades, you have been elected at a time when there is a big fight on our hands, and we are going to fight it until we win,” he said.
José Mourinho is reportedly in discussions to assume managerial responsibilities at Saudi Pro League team Al Shabab FC, following his dismissal from Roma, according to a source informed by ESPN.
Mourinho, who spent more than 2½ years with Roma, is already engaged in talks with Al Shabab’s sporting director, Domenico Tite, while his agent, Jorge Mendes, negotiates with the club.
Despite early interest from some European clubs, there remains a possibility that Mourinho may choose not to move to Saudi Arabia.
Currently, Al Shabab occupies the 11th position in the Saudi Pro League and is actively seeking a replacement for beleaguered manager Igor Biscan, who has seen the team secure only five wins in 19 league games this season.
The squad boasts notable names such as former Atlético Madrid star Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Éver Banega, Romain Saïss, Habib Diallo, and several Saudi Arabian internationals.
Mourinho, who has expressed his openness to working in the Gulf state, previously mentioned in October that he was “convinced” he would eventually work there.
Jose Mourinho will not get carried away yet
He also revealed that he turned down a lucrative offer from a Saudi team while still the coach of Roma.
If the negotiations with Al Shabab progress swiftly, Mourinho’s debut game as manager could potentially be a friendly against Roma on Wednesday in Riyadh.
This move would make Mourinho the third client of Jorge Mendes in the Saudi Pro League, joining Jorge Jesus at Al Hilal and Luis Castro at Al Nassr.
Cape Verde progressed to theAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout round, after thumping Mozambique 3-0 in Group B out in Ivory Coast. Mozambique appeared unsettled right from the beginning of the match, committing two turnovers just outside their box in the early minutes of the game.
Their nervousness proved detrimental as, in the 32nd minute, Tiago Manuel Dias Correia (commonly known as Bebe) unleashed a powerful shot into the back of the net, giving his team the lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, Mozambique faced a further setback when Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove lost possession, allowing Ryan Mendes to extend the Blue Sharks’ lead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ml1pI7s9GA
The situation escalated for the Mambas when Kevin Pina’s powerful strike from outside the box in the 69th minute extended the lead to three on the scoreboard and ensured that they became the first nation to progress to the knockout stage.
The Blue Sharks have maintained a threatening presence in the early stages of Afcon, and their supporters can take pride in how the team has composed themselves against their opponents.
The Mambas faced difficulties finding their rhythm and appeared a shadow of themselves after securing a 2-2 draw against Egypt.
They will head back to the drawing board, aiming to make adjustments ahead of their final group match. Cape Verde are set to faceEgypt on Monday, January 22.
While, Mozambique will go up against Ghana on the same day.
Despite Chelsea grappling with a season marred by injuries, the club’s medical director, Dimitrios Kalogiannidis, is poised to depart, as reported by The Athletic.
The timing of his exit remains unspecified, adding an unexpected element to the Blues’ ongoing injury woes.
Kalogiannidis, who assumed the role of medical director in October 2022, is set to leave the club for family reasons after a 13-year tenure.
This news comes amidst a series of changes in Chelsea’s medical staff, including the departures of Paco Bicosa and Thierry Laurent, who held significant positions in the medical department, back in September 2022.
The injury crisis at Chelsea is palpable, with nine players currently sidelined.
Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Nicolas Jackson are all unavailable.
The team, under Mauricio Pochettino, faces Middlesbrough in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, trailing 1-0 on aggregate.
The departure of Kalogiannidis adds another layer of uncertainty toChelsea’s medical and injury management at a crucial juncture in the season.
The Belgian club values the 18-year-old Nusa at €30 million ($25.73 million), including potential add-ons, and aims to retain him until the end of the season as part of any agreement reached this month.
Negotiations are in the early stages, and while Nusa has drawn interest from Chelsea previously, it remains uncertain if they will compete with Spurs for the Norwegian international.
Brugge holds a strong negotiating position as Nusa signed a new contract last year, binding him to the club until 2027.
Tottenham, seeking to fortify their attacking options on the wing, has already secured Timo Werner on loan from Red Bull Leipzig.
The club has the option to sign Werner permanently at the season’s end, estimated to be between €15 million and €20 million.
However, bringing in Nusa in the summer would enhance the squad for the next season, regardless of the decision on Werner. Nusa has displayed promising performance with three goals and three assists in 26 games forBrugge this season.
Real Madrid conveyed a social media message to the father of Formula 1 sensation Carlos Sainz, acknowledging his remarkable accomplishments this week.
Carlos Sainz Sr., who is the father of Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, secured his fourth Dakar Rally victory.
The 61-year-old achieved this historic feat by triumphing in the renowned endurance race in Saudi Arabia while driving an electric Audi. Real Madrid’s official social media accounts extended their congratulations to Sainz Sr for his victory on Friday morning.
In a message published on X, formerly Twitter, Real Madrid said: “Congratulations on winning your fourth Dakar Rally, @CSainz_oficial!
It’s an honour for our club that a Madridista like you, a Real Madrid honorary member, continues to make history while adding to your legendary status. You are one of the greatest champions. Congratulations!”
Carlos Sainz Sr. is not only a passionate supporter of Real Madrid but also shares a significant history with the club. Prior to pursuing a career in motorsports, he played football and was even offered a trial by Los Blancos in the 1970s.
In later years, Sainz Sr. sought a role in Real Madrid’s leadership, running for the position of vice president after Florentino Perez and Fernando Martin both resigned as presidents.
With Audi discontinuing its participation in the Dakar Rally, it remains uncertain whether Sainz Sr. will defend his title in the upcoming year. In the meantime, he will closely follow Real Madrid’s pursuit of the La Liga title.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team currently stands second in the table, trailing Girona by one point but maintaining a seven-point lead over arch-rivals Barcelona. Meanwhile, Sainz Jr., part of the Ferrari team, anticipates the upcoming F1 season, set to commence in Bahrain on March 2, 2024.
Joe Cole revealed why the players didn’t want to get on Jose Mourinho’s bad side at Chelsea, as the manager would slam them if they put a foot wrong.
The Portuguese manager is known to be a combustible character who has often thrown his players under the bus before the media in the past.
However, not many knew that Mourinho was even more hostile inside the dressing room and would take his players to the cleaners for minor errors, even if they had an otherwise brilliant outing.
While speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Cole revealed, “I loved Jose, but people always think we had a bad relationship. I played a league game and we won 3-0 at home. I set two goals up and thought I played well, but it probably took a few little flicks around. I’ve gone through one-on-one with the keeper late on and should’ve slotted it in but instead, I gave it to Crespo, but he not run anywhere near it and the defenders got it.
“I thought nothing of it, but we were doing the warm-down the next day and Mourinho came over and he said, ‘See you do that s* again, boy, you’ll never f*ing play for me again’ and I was like, what? Another time I scored the winner against Liverpool and they were our big rivals. I thought I was the bee’s knees and we’d gone out and had a great night. The next morning, my phone’s blowing up and he’s battered me in the press. It was just a way of keeping us down but I think he knew every time he did that to me, I’d respond.” Ricardo Carvalho was considered one of the favourites of Mourinho but he was also slandered after he struggled during a friendly.
“It was a belter when he dug out Riccy Carvalho. Riccy’s his boy; he took him everywhere and loved him, but I don’t know why (he went for him),” he said.
“I was right in front of him and he’s going, ‘You’re playing like a fucking elephant,‘ and he’s done the trunk sign and I’m there laughing.” John Obi Mikel jumped in and added, “When he’s angry, he picks one person that he will really go after and that day Jose killed me. ‘You play like a fing elephant; you can’t run’, he destroyed me. I went back and after 10 minutes, he took me off.” Getting back to the Carvalho incident, Cole further stated: “There was sometimes no rhyme or reason for it (his dressing downs).
“He never played badly for more than two games and hardly ever made a mistake. He’s gone to Riccy. ‘You’re fing s. I’m not going to play you. I’m going to play JT (John Terry) and then (William) Gallas. Then I’m going to play Robert Huth, and then I’m going to play the youth kid Steve Watt. If I don’t play him, I’m going to play the kitman; I’m not going to play you’. And I get the giggles when there’s things like that.”
Mourinho led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles in his first stint from 2004 to 2007. Throughout this timeframe, Cole featured in 123 matches under Mourinho’s tutelage, playing a pivotal role with 21 goals and 13 assists.
Currently unattached to a managerial position, Mourinho left AS Roma following a string of unsatisfactory results. Despite this setback, there are rumours linking him to a coaching role with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab, suggesting a potential swift comeback to the coaching arena.
Inter Miami has unveiled the squad numbers for the upcoming 2024 MLS season, providing insights into the jerseys Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will don.
Following their historic League Cup triumph in 2023, shortly after Messi’s remarkable move to the United States, Inter Miami aims to pursue more major honours in the upcoming campaign.
Before competitive action kicks off, Inter Miami has a series of friendly matches on their agenda, including the club’s inaugural international tour and high-profile clashes with teams like Vissel Kobe, Newell’s Old Boys, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
The club’s official website has disclosed the assigned numbers for these games, confirming Messi’s continuation with his iconic No. 10 shirt.
New signing Suarez will sport the No. 9 jersey, while Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retain their numbers 5 and 18, respectively. USMNT star Julian Gressel will don the No. 24 shirt.
Messi, included in the travelling squad, is set to make his debut in Inter Miami’s first pre-season match of 2024 against El Salvador on Friday. Subsequently, they will face FC Dallas on Monday before embarking on a tour to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Jordan Henderson has issued an apology for potentially causing offence with his decision to join Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the criticism surrounding his move.
Despite the controversy, the newly signed Ajax player asserts that his fundamental beliefs have remained unchanged.
The English midfielder faced backlash for leaving Liverpool for the Middle East in 2023, especially given his previous advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights during his tenure at Anfield.
Henderson, now back in Europe after securing a two-and-a-half-year contract with Ajax, expressed remorse for disappointing any supporters but emphasised that his core principles have remained consistent. The former Liverpool captain stated,
“If any people from that community feel let down or hurt, I apologise. If anyone was offended or feel as though I upset them, that’s on me; that was my decision, and I apologise for that. It was never my intention. I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax. My beliefs have never changed and never will. Again, I can only apologise if people feel let down.”
Henderson said of cutting his time in theSaudi Pro League short, having initially committed to a £350,000-per-week contract at Al-Ettifaq: “I think a lot of people would like me to criticise the Saudi League; that’s not something I’m going to do. I have a lot of respect for them and those that made me feel welcome. If anyone is offended, I apologise; that was never my intention.”
He added when asked if he has any regrets: “Looking back at the time, it was a big decision and one I felt was right for me. Things change quickly in football and I’m happy to make this decision (to come to Ajax), and I felt this opportunity was too big to turn down for me.
“In life, if you want to call them regrets or mistakes, you can, but they’re only mistakes if you don’t learn from them and I learnt a lot of things about Saudi Arabia. I haven’t got a bad word to say about anyone. I have friends over there I’ll speak to forever and there were still positives to come out of it. In the end, it didn’t turn out the way we both wanted to, but it ended on great terms.”
Henderson says he is now ready to commit himself fully to the Ajax cause, with the Dutch giants enduring uncharacteristic struggles this season that have left them fifth in the Eredivisie table and with the Europa League providing their only route to major silverware.
West Ham appears to be leading the race to secure the services of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, with the midfielder being informed of his lack of future at the Etihad.
City has given him the green light to explore opportunities in the January transfer window to secure more playing time, with an eye on earning a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024.
Reports suggest that West Ham is the frontrunner in the pursuit of Phillips, although they face stiff competition from Crystal Palace, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.
Despite the high demand for Phillips, City has laid out a condition for any potential loan deal: that his substantial £135,000-a-week wages must be covered entirely by the acquiring club.
West Ham’s financial strength positions them well to meet these demands, having recently lightened their wage burden by loaning out Thilo Kehrer to Monaco.
Additionally, there is a possibility of Said Benrahma leaving, with interest from French clubs Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais.
Crystal Palace, under manager Roy Hodgson, have also expressed interest in Phillips, as confirmed by Hodgson before their recent 1-0 loss to Everton in the FA Cup third-round replay.
Meanwhile, Newcastle withdrew from the race due to concerns over the high loan fee demanded by City and their reluctance to include an obligation-to-buy clause.
Despite the uncertainties, Phillips remains optimistic about resolving his future swiftly. Having played just over 300 minutes in various competitions this seasonunder Pep Guardiola, the midfielder is eager to secure regular playing time elsewhere.
South Korea’s quest for their first Asian Cup title in 64 years faced a significant setback as coachJurgen Klinsmann announced on Friday that their primary goalkeeper, Kim Seung-Gyu (33), will miss the remainder of the tournament due to a knee injury.
Kim, who participated in their 3-1 victory over Bahrain, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a training session leading up to their second match against Jordan on Saturday.
“We’re very sad about Seung-Gyu’s injury but it’s part of sport; it happens in tournaments but we have to move on. We keep him in our thoughts and we fight for him,” Klinsmann told reporters.
“What I told the team was that we are here and we have a mission, which is to stay till the end of the tournament.”
South Korean midfielder Lee Jae-Sung said the injury to one of their most senior players had motivated them to go deeper in the tournament.
“Being an athlete, I know how much being injured hurts. But there are 25 other players in the squad. We’re all together in this and hopefully, it gives us extra motivation to go far,” he said.
South Korea are in disciplinary trouble after five players were booked in their group opener, including skipper Son Heung-Min and centre-back Kim Min-Jae.
One more yellow card will result in a suspension for the following game but Klinsmann said he would not ask his players to exercise caution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMgjPoj65l8
“We obviously didn’t want so many yellow cards. Obviously, if you get a second one, they miss a game. It’s part of football; two or three could have been avoided—the players know that too—but it’s something you have to live with,” he said.
“Managing yellows is something for the players to look at. As a player, you need to trust your instincts; you can’t be too cautious. If it happens, it happens.”
Jordan are at the top of Group E after beating Malaysia 4-0 and although many expect the Middle Eastern side to play defensively against a team 64 rungs above them in the world rankings, Klinsmann thinks otherwise.
“Jordan will make it difficult and frustrating for us and we need to find a way to break them down,” the German said.
“But if you score four goals, you’re not a defensive-minded team… If the coach fields a defensive-minded team, that’s his choice.
“They’ve proven they’re dangerous; they can counter-attack really fast and have gifted players up front. We have to be alert.”
English midfielder is aiming to secure a spot in the squad through a return to Europe. Ajax has officially confirmed the acquisition of Jordan Henderson following his departure from Al Ettifaq.
On Thursday evening, the Saudi Arabian club released a statement confirming Henderson’s exit and insisted that it wanted to be “respectful” of his desire to leave.
The 33-year-old departs after only six months of a three-year contract, which was worth a reported £350,000 a week after he made the controversial move to head to the Middle East from Liverpool last summer.
With Euro 2024 coming up and Ettifaq labouring in mid-table of the Saudi Pro League, Henderson pushed for a return to Europe and will see out the season with Dutch giants Ajax.
Henderson said in a statement: “I’d like to thank the club, the fans and all involved for the opportunity and wish them the best for the remainder of the season. A lot of hard work is going in which I know will pay off in the future.”
Ettifaq club president Samer Al Misehal added: “Firstly, the club would like to thank Jordan for his efforts and wish him the best for his future endeavours.
“We are always respectful of our players. The club and Jordan believe this quick decision, without any delay or further distraction, has been made for both the overall good of the club and for Jordan.”
Ajax endured a tough start to the season but a good run of results have returned them to the top five of the Eredivisie.
Manager John van ‘t Schip said: “We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. Partly due to injuries, we were also looking for someone who can be there immediately. Jordan Henderson is such a player.
“His arrival is a major boost in quality for our squad. Both on and off the field, a footballer of this calibre is also important for our many young players. He is an England international and has won the Champions League and many other trophies with Liverpool. I am happy with his arrival and I think it is very good for our club that he is now an Ajax player.”
Defender Jules Kounde asserted that Barcelona players must take responsibility for the team’s disappointing performances this season, as the reigning Spanish champions currently trail by eight points in La Liga.
Barcelona suffered a significant setback in the Spanish Super Cup final against long-time rivals Real Madrid, suffering a 4-1 defeat. In La Liga, they find themselves positioned below unexpected successes by Girona, Real, and Athletic Club.
Under increasing pressure, Barcelona secured a much-needed morale boost with a 3-1 victory over fourth-tier Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday, providing a positive development for coach Xavi’s side.
“At the end of the day, you can talk about the coach, but we (the players) are the ones out there on the pitch,” Kounde, who was one of the goalscorers against Unionistas, told Movistar.
“When there are bad results, it’s also our fault, of course. We had to react tonight. This game was important, and we have to move forward with intensity, which is what I think we have lacked this season.
“Winning the Copa is one of the objectives, and after a tough defeat on Sunday, we needed to show a reaction. We put in a serious performance.”
Liverpool has the opportunity to solidify their position at thesummit of the Premier League in their upcoming Sunday fixture against Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, currently facing a challenging phase, aims to rejuvenate their title aspirations by hoping for a stumble from Liverpool as they confront Crystal Palace.
On a different note, the focus shifts to the lower end of the table, where Brentford’s Ivan Toney is anticipated to make a comeback in a crucial match against fellow struggler Nottingham Forest.
As we anticipate this weekend’s football action, AFP Sport highlights three key talking points.
Mac Allister’s mark of success
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is already contemplating a tattoo to commemorate what promises to be a memorable season as the formidable Reds vie for four major trophies.
Under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, the table-topping Liverpool squad holds a two-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, and a triumph over Bournemouth on Sunday could extend that lead to five points.
Despite the absence of Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool has maintained an unbeaten streak in their last seven matches across all competitions. Their ambitious goals for the season include clinching the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League titles.
Signed from Brighton in the recent off-season, Mac Allister has emerged as a pivotal player in Liverpool’s resurgence this campaign. The flamboyant Argentina World Cup winner is not only eager to commemorate his country’s victory in Qatar last year with a tattoo but also plans to add any silverware lifted by Liverpool this season to his body art collection.
“I want to get my tattoo about the World Cup first and then, of course, I will get something about Liverpool, because since the first day I felt a really good connection with this club and I’m really happy to be here,” Mac Allister said.
“(A trophy) would be nice! Maybe on my leg. Hopefully we can win something this year and get it done.”
Arsenal on the rocks
Experiencing only a single victory in their previous seven matches across all competitions, Arsenal finds themselves in an inconvenient downturn that poses a risk to their pursuit of their first title since 2004.
Under the management of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is set to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, confronted by a string of setbacks, including three consecutive losses against Liverpool in the FA Cup, Fulham, and West Ham in the Premier League.
Arsenal, once leading the table before Christmas, has encountered a troublesome phase marked by a detrimental combination of ineffective goal-scoring and lax defensive performances.
When people say “the grass isn’t always greener”, file Jordan Henderson’s (33) switch to Saudi Arabia under that.
Just six months after moving to the Middle East to join Al Ettifaq, Henderson is already packing his bags and returning to Europe.
Ajax are his apparent rescuers, but it is a pretty embarrassing turn of events given how controversial the initial move was in the summer.
Giving in A vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Henderson attempted to justify his bumper move by insisting it wasn’t about the money and more about bringing “change” to a country with a poor human rights record.
“We can all bury our heads in the sand and criticise different cultures and different countries from afar,” Henderson said in an interview with The Athletic.
“But then nothing’s going to happen. Nothing’s going to change.”
Jordan Henderson
That interview happened four months ago and unless Henderson has managed to transform what is accepted in that time, it looks as if he has given up on those plans.
One thing that has changed, though, and for the worse, is his reputation, something that he built tremendously over the years while at Liverpool.
He worked hard to mould it, forcing his way into becoming a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s machine which won major trophies in a relatively close period of time.
It was his thick skin that helped him forge his image, but turning his back on such a controversial move this early has damaged it, and for what?
A warning sign What his short Saudi stint does show is chasing the money doesn’t necessarily always end well and serves as a warning to other professionals who are contemplating a move there.
Henderson had a pretty miserable time on the pitch with Al Ettifaq hardly pulling up any trees – eighth in a league comprised of 18 teams.
Attendances have also been a major talking point about the league, with Al Ettifaq drawing in an average of 7,854 spectators at home.
Henderson played in front of just 696 people against Al Riyadh in October – hardly inspiring and a damning look at the quality of the league regardless of what the players are earning.
Yet after all of this, Henderson won’t even get to reap the full benefits of his £350,000-a-week salary, having reportedly deferred his earnings to avoid a hefty tax bill.
Salvaging something It has appeared to be a complete waste football-wise for Henderson, but he might have got out just in time.
Joining Ajax is usually seen as a decent move and while the standards are still higher than whatever is going on in Saudi Arabia, the Dutch side have had problems of their own this season.
They were recently knocked out of the Dutch Cup by a part-time team and have moved on to their fourth manager of the season – not exactly the most stable of environments for Henderson to arrive into.
Henderson’s international career may have also received some extra security, although England boss Gareth Southgate has stuck by him quite rigidly throughout.
Playing in the Netherlands likely only strengthens his case for being in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 – not that his position has been massively under threat anyway.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
This eagerly awaited return follows an eight-month suspension for the striker.
Manager Thomas Frank, whose team has found itself embroiled in the relegation battle during Toney’s absence, expressed the significant positive impact of having him back.
Frank highlighted the value of Toney’s goal-scoring prowess and leadership on the field. “He’s bossing. He’s like an eight-year-old boy; he just wants to go out and play,” Frank told a news conference on Friday. “Just that pure joy of playing football.
“I’m looking into the eyes of a player who is very committed and very excited. He will start tomorrow, he will lead the team out, he’ll be the captain. I’m sure he’ll be ready.”
Having scored 20 goals in 30 league appearances last season, Toney faced a suspension due to betting offences. His return, eagerly awaited by Brentford teammates who affectionately call him ‘Big Dog,’ is timely.
Thomas Frank has confirmed that Ivan Toney will start and captain Brentford in his return to football this weekend 🔙 pic.twitter.com/AowfRY6DkO
Brentford currently sits in 16th place, just three points clear of the relegation zone and trailing 15th-placed Forest by a single point.
“Not only this week, but the last three-and-a-half years, he has been a special character in many ways; he’s a fantastic person to be around myself, the staff, the players, the energy he brings, the smile, and the positivity at the training ground,” Frank said.
“On the pitch, he wants to win; he wants to help the team; of course, it’s a massive boost. It’s like a new signing. He’s the second-best striker, in my opinion, in the Premier League.”
One worry for Frank is that with the January transfer window still open, Toney could be lured away by a big-money offer from a Premier League rival, although none have arrived so far.
“As I said earlier in these conferences, it’s 99% something that he will stay here but football is crazy; you never know what will happen tomorrow,” Frank said. “He’s committed to helping the team; that’s all that’s on his mind. He wants to stay here; he wants to help the team.”
Bank of Ghana Governor (BoG) Dr. Ernest Addison has reassured the public that the launch of the much-anticipated e-Cedi, the country’s digital currency, will take place before the end of 2026.
The Governor acknowledged progress made in the e-Cedi’s development but attributed the delay in its launch to economic dislocation caused by the events of 2022.
“Probably, it could be earlier than that. As I mentioned, we have reached a point of trying to understand the commercials a little bit more,” said Dr. Addison during an interview held on the sidelines of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) 40th anniversary and Central Banking Autumn meetings in Saint Kitts and Nevis in November 2023.
Following the successful completion of the pilot phase in Sefwi Asafo, discussions on the commercial aspects of the e-Cedi were initiated. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis led the central bank to temporarily halt the digitization process, shifting priorities.
Despite the setback caused by economic challenges, the pilot was a crucial step in the country’s plan to enhance financial inclusion and promote digitalization. The central bank remains optimistic about the future of the e-Cedi.
In December 2023, the Bank of Ghana announced the winners of the country’s first-ever e-Cedi hackathon, showcasing the fintech community’s enthusiastic engagement. The competition aimed to encourage innovation and partnerships around the central bank’s new digital currency. Out of 88 initial applicants, 10 finalists were selected to present their e-Cedi solutions, covering areas such as agriculture, government payments, business transactions, taxation, and more.
Dr. Addison provided insights into the current status of the e-Cedi pilot, emphasizing its offline operational capacity.
“The central bank did a lot of things due to favourable conditions at the end of 2019,” he explained. The pilot, conducted in some of the country’s remotest parts, featured an offline version of the digital currency to ensure usability in areas with limited connectivity infrastructure.
“The Ghanaian population is used to mobile money, so the concept of a digital currency was easily absorbed—it’s not an alien concept to people,” Dr. Addison highlighted. Positive results from the pilot, wherein participants were given a certain value to spend within their locality, demonstrated the e-Cedi’s potential success.
While the economic challenges of 2022 prompted a reevaluation of priorities, Dr. Addison emphasised that progress towards launching the e-Cedi is ongoing. The central bank’s adoption of a retail token-based CBDC, stored locally on various devices, aims to replicate the traditional attributes of physical cash while incorporating additional functionalities.
“The e-Cedi’s successful deployment could have a significant impact on the country, helping to augment the government’s digitalization agenda and foster financial inclusion,” Dr. Addison stressed. The Bank of Ghana seeks to reinforce its role as an active regulator and facilitator of a digital economy, aligning with the nation’s evolving financial landscape.
As Ghana makes strides in its digital currency initiatives, the e-Cedi hackathon stands out as a pivotal milestone, playing a significant role in promoting innovation and aligning with the country’s objectives of enhancing financial access and embracing digital transformation.
With theBank of Ghana’s Governor providing assurances, expectations are high for the imminent official launch of the e-Cedi, anticipated to usher in transformative changes to the nation’s financial ecosystem.
Bundesliga clash scheduled for Friday between Mainz and Union Berlin has been postponed due to freezing temperatures posing a risk to spectators, as announced by the German League on Thursday.
This marks the second Union game cancellation this season, following the postponement of their fixture against Bayern Munich in December due to heavy snow.
The rescheduled date for the Bayern Munich match is now set for January 24th.
“The reasons for this (postponement of Mainz v. Union) are the ice forming in the lower parts of the stands, especially the standing tribune, as well as access roads for spectators,” the DFL said.
A rescheduled date for the Mainz versus Union Berlin match will be determined shortly. Currently, Mainz holds the 16th position and faces relegation play-offs, while Union Berlin sits at 15th, holding a three-point lead.
The recent freezing rain in central and southern Germany has caused widespread disruptions, leading to the grounding of hundreds of flights and impacting train services on Wednesday.
The weather service has issued warnings about slippery roads, heavy snowfall, and an extreme risk of black ice in affected regions.
Additionally, the German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, has cautioned travelers about potential delays and cancellations due to the challenging winter weather conditions.
Ghana Education Service (GES) has provided clarity on certain procedures expected from teachers in both primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Addressing the ongoing confusion between headmasters and teachers in various schools concerning lesson notes, the GES acknowledged the previous requirement for teachers to submit lesson plans every Monday, with potential disciplinary consequences for non-compliance.
However, recent changes to the curriculum and educational systems have caused some misunderstandings.
In a statement released on January 17, the GES clarified that lesson notes can now be handwritten or prepared electronically, and submission can be done physically or via email.
Furthermore, the statement instructed regional directors to communicate this information to district, municipal, and metropolitan directors of education.
Background
Teachers in Ghanaian schools have generally created lesson plans and notes on dedicated Teacher Lesson Note Books provided by the school.
Headteachers documented and reviewed each week’s subjects before they were implemented.
In the past, G.E.S. required all teachers to submit lesson plans every Monday, and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action.
This practice had become part of theG.E.S. system over the years, and many teachers viewed it as an essential part of their job.
However, recent modifications to the curriculum and educational systems have created new obstacles.
In a key modification for 2024, the GES directed the district/municipal/metropolitan directors of education to require that teachers accept lesson notes in both handwritten and electronically generated versions, either in print or via email.
The French center-back was let go by Sevilla in September 2021 due to persistent concerns regarding the player’s professionalism and physical condition.
The grounds raised by Sevilla to justify Gnagnon’s termination were “the player’s alleged overweight situation and his multiple delays to training sessions.”
Gnagnon, whose contract with Sevilla was set to expire in June 2023, sought redress from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for what he deemed an unlawful dismissal, seeking millions of euros in compensation.
Initially appealing to FIFA, Gnagnon’s claim was rejected as “inadmissible” because he had already initiated a labour dispute in a Spanish court. However, the Spanish court closed his case as he failed to attend the mandatory hearing.
The player, who joined Sevilla in the summer of 2018 in a €13.5 million ($14.7 million) transfer from Rennes, had a minimal impact, making just seven LaLiga appearances in three years.
The verdict highlighted that the club’s expectations regarding the player’s weight parameters were reasonable. Despite Sevilla’s efforts to assist and numerous warnings, Gnagnon did not comply with the club’s guidelines. Various medical check-ups confirmed the player’s overweight condition.
Since leaving St Etienne in May 2022, the 27-year-old Gnagnon has been without a club. He joined the French side as a free agent four months after his dismissal from Sevilla.
Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has expressed reservations regarding the government’s Agenda 111 initiative, citing concerns about the geographical placement and accessibility of facilities nationwide.
These concerns have emerged in light of the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Report, which involved the study of 618 clusters across 261 administrative districts.
In presenting the report, Prof. Kobina Anim, the Government Statistician, revealed that a significant 40% of Ghanaian women aged 15 to 49 face travel times of more than 30 minutes to 2 hours to access healthcare. This underscores the considerable inconveniences experienced by individuals throughout the country.
“We identify that about 2/5 that is in excess of 40% of women aged 15 to 49 years, were travelling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility. This puts into context the government’s intervention of Agenda 111, where it is being situated and the extent it is going to affect the fact that we have people travelling in excess of 30 minutes, specifically 40% of people travelling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility. Of importance to us is the disaggregation across the 16 administrative regions.”
“And from the perspective of those travelling more than two hours to access the nearest health facility, we identify the Oti region as having more than 10% of women aged 15 to 49 travelling over two hours to access the nearest facility. The range is from 0.8 in the Eastern region to 11.6%.
“This is where the conversation around the situation of Agenda 111 should be reflected. As in is it dominant in these places where we see a lot more people travelling over two hours to access a health facility?” he said.
In the midst of these concerns, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, reaffirmed his dedication to addressing the existing disparities within the health sector.
“While some targets have been met nationally, it is a concern that several regions fall short, showing substantial regional disparities for almost all indicators including skill delivery, and percentage of children without vaccinations. In the face of these challenges, our service commits to providing strong leadership and clear guidance to ensure coordination among multiple partners of the sector.”
“I must say that the regional disparities also shore gross disparity among the newly created regions, which we see also and that is why GHS moved in there very early to ensure that we can focus on these deprived areas. And we are hoping that the next DHS will show better results in these areas.
“So we pledge to deliver high-quality services at both the facility and community levels, but we will require the support of our media and the entire population to ensure that this is done,” he said.
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) have agreed to hold regular consultative meetings with industry stakeholders, focusing on developments in cement manufacturing, bagging, and distribution.
The objective is to tackle crucial issues in the sector, particularly before any announcements of changes in ex-factory prices by individual companies.
Minister K.T. Hammond initiated the meeting to express concerns about the rising cost of cement at the retail level and its adverse economic impact. He raised questions about the sale of a bag of cement at ¢95.00 in certain regions, including the Accra and Tema Municipalities.
“The Minister entreated the industry to take cognizance of the widespread effects of price escalation and the need to closely monitor and exercise control over the recommended ex-factory price margins of distributors and retailers of their respective grades of products across the country,” stated the MoTI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKA_9rBcf04
Crucial measures have been unanimously agreed upon for immediate implementation to stabilise prices in the cement industry. These measures include the obligation for individual companies to publish recommended distribution and retail prices for various product grades within their respective distribution zones.
Furthermore, companies are now mandated to rigorously enforce quality standards and specified weights for cement products, aiming to counter the production and distribution of substandard items.
Stakeholders are also anticipated tocollaborate on exploring the feasibility of introducing a standardised cement pricing formula. This initiative aims to ensure consistency in retail pricing across the country, taking into account essential cost variables.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) has assured the public that these measures, deemed necessary among others, will be implemented in partnership with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana. The ultimate goal is to facilitate justifiable and reasonable adjustments in prices.
In an unprecedented move, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira held a news conference exclusively for female journalists to underscore the underrepresentation ofwomen in football.
Acknowledging her unique position as the sole female club president across Brazil’s three main divisions, Pereira openly admitted to often feeling isolated in her role.
“Having just one woman in front of a big club in South America is not normal,” Pereira said in the news conference. “Why does it happen? Because we suffer several restrictions that prevent us from getting where we can go.
“I’m not going to solve the problem of machismo in Brazil and the world, much less in football, but with the strength of Palmeiras, we can be an example.”
More than a dozen female journalists took part in the extensive two-hour news conference hosted at the Football Academy. Leila Pereira, elected as Palmeiras’ first female president in 2021, emphasised the necessity for structural transformations within the club to promote gender equality.
Responding to criticism about the exclusive access granted to female journalists at the news conference, Pereira defended the decision, advising against undue alarm and stating, “Don’t be hysterical.”
Nigeria’s coach, José Peseiro, has expressed his bewilderment over the eligibility of Umar Sadiq to play for Spanish team Real Sociedad, considering the forward’s injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite being sidelined due to injury, the 26-year-old Sadiq was named in Sociedad’s squad for the Copa del Rey game against Osasuna on Wednesday, leading Peseiro to express confusion about the player’s ability to participate for his club while being unavailable for the national team at AFCON.
“I’m also confused,” Peseiro said when asked about Sadiq on Wednesday. “What I can say, I saw the report from the medical test that he’s injured and that he cannot recover in 15 days, at least, or more time… The report went to the club, and the club said he must come (back) to recover.”
Peseiro said Sadiq wanted to stay with the Nigeria squad but that he and his coaching staff decided to replace him before Jan. 3, the final day to submit the squad lists for the tournament.
“I am happy that he recovered well. I am sad that he’s not here to help us,” Peseiro said.
The pressure is mounting on Peseiro’s Super Eagles as they face host nation Ivory Coast on Thursday, following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening game. In contrast, Ivory Coast began their campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.
The Portuguese coach, Peseiro, has come under criticism in the aftermath of Nigeria’s draw. Furthermore, his team has been susceptible defensively, conceding at least one goal in each of their last six games, including a 2-0 loss to Guinea in a pre-tournament warm-up match.
Star forward Victor Osimhen found the net but also missed several golden opportunities in Nigeria’s tournament opener, a match they dominated without securing a victory. Despite having 19 shots at goal compared to Equatorial Guinea’s seven, the Super Eagles failed to capitalise on their chances, intensifying the scrutiny on Peseiro and his team.
“If you create the same opportunities, you’re going to score,” Peseiro said Wednesday. “Like I said the last time, Sometimes, the god gives, sometimes the god takes. It’s the right time for God to give (to) us.”
