The event was attended by a select group of individuals, including media personalities and fellow Black Stars players.
Among the notable guests were renowned broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah, sports journalists Owuraku Ampofo, Gary Al-Smith, Yaw Fosu Larbi, and Black Stars players Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Gideon Mensah.
A video shared by GhanaWeb captured the joyous atmosphere, with Gideon Mensah particularly showcasing his dance moves.
As Partey approaches the twilight of his career, he has one year remaining on his Arsenal contract.
The club is open to offers for the Ghanaian midfielder, and reports indicate that a Saudi Arabian club is interested in acquiring the former Atlético Madrid star this summer.
Landguards have killed one person and injured three others in an attack on construction workers in Tebu, located in the Ga South Municipality.
According to reports the incident erupted over a demand for a GH¢4,000 digging fee from the workers.
When the workers refused to pay and continued working, the landguards opened fire, resulting in casualties.
One survivor, Felix Akunnor, sustained a foot injury.
Ebenezer Ahortor, the Assemblyman for the Danchera electoral area, which includes Tebu, confirmed that developers and workers frequently face threats from landguards.
Despite numerous reports to authorities, including the Danchera police station, no action has been taken due to a lack of resources for crime prevention, Ahortor noted.
Real Tamale United (RTU) football team narrowly escaped death after their bus saw a break failure on their return from the Easter Region following their clash withDreams FCon June 12, 2024 at Dawu Sports Stadium.
News of this tragedy emerged after videos and images of the bus were captured in a bush after a veering of the main road around Tuobodam.
In a tweet shared by blogger and social critic @SIKAOFFICIAL, he revealed that “after losing 8-1 to Dreams FC in the Ghana Premier League, the Real Tamale United (RTU) football team narrowly avoided tragedy. On their journey back, their team bus experienced a brake failure near Tuobodom, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.”
After losing 8-1 to Dreams FC in the Ghana Premier League, the Real Tamale United (RTU) football team narrowly avoided tragedy. On their journey back, their team bus experienced a brake failure near Tuobodom, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. pic.twitter.com/v5TUQJ43V9
Meanwhile, the match between Dreams FC and Real Tamale United (RTU) was overshadowed by scandalous acts of impersonation.
RTU used unregistered players who impersonated officially registered players during the game. Despite RTU being already relegated, Dreams FC secured an emphatic 8-1 victory in their crucial penultimate match of the season in Dawu.
The deception was uncovered early in the match when it became evident that the names listed on RTU’s team sheet did not correspond to the players present for the game.
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced Tuesday June 18, as the designated date for the “Hands off our hotel” demonstration.
In a tweet on June 14, 2024, he announced that “All is set for the ‘Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration.’ Yesterday, we concluded discussions with the Ghana Police Service at a meeting in the office of the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arhin Kwasi Annor.
See you all on Tuesday. Enough of the State Capture!”
This public protest forms part of the MP’s move against the sale of hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to the Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
All is set for the ‘Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration.’
Yesterday, we concluded discussions with the Ghana Police Service at a meeting in the office of the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arhin Kwasi Annor.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) June 13, 2024
Background
The North Tongu MP raised concerns about the sale of some state-owned hotels managed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotels, owned by Bryan Acheampong, a former Minister of State.
According to him, the hotels were sold at undervalued prices, raising suspicions of corruption and conflict of interest. He claimed that Acheampong, who was then a minister, used his position to acquire the hotels at a discounted rate, potentially causing financial losses to the state.
During his prime, the Black Stars’ management, despite expert advice, called up Afena-Gyan for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria.
The player accepted the invitation patriotically and performed admirably.
However, after the qualifiers, Afena-Gyan was omitted from the 2022 World Cup squad, a decision many perceived as unfair and a betrayal of the young talent.
Two years later, Prince Tagoe continues to feel aggrieved by this decision, expressing concerns about its impact on Afena-Gyan’s career.
In an interview on Accra FM, Tagoe argued that including Afena-Gyan in the World Cup squad would have significantly benefited his career.
Tagoe urged Ghanaians to treat players with respect and ensure they part ways with the national team on good terms.
“Some Ghanaians must learn to treat players right so they leave the national team with happiness, not with pain. When we needed this boy so badly for theWorld Cup, he came and performed with his pressing and work rate.
“Dropping that boy ahead of the World Cup would have been traumatic for him.
Look at how his career has gone since. He is doing well, but if we had taken him to the World Cup, it would have helped him.
“Sometimes I ask myself, How can people be that wicked? If you’ve followed football, you’d know that how we treated him wasn’t the best. Besides, we don’t have good strikers. When someone sacrifices and shows up for you, you don’t treat him like that,” he said.
Tagoe criticised the exclusion of Afena-Gyan from the squad, stressing that Ghana lacks quality strikers and should have valued his sacrifice and dedication.
Afena-Gyan gained attention as the first player born after January 1, 2003, to score in Italy’s top league.
He also became the third-youngest foreign player to score at least twice in a single Serie A match. His vital goals against Genoa secured a win for Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Man Utd are ready to explore other options if Everton remain firm on their valuation of Jarrad Branthwaite, a source has revealed.
Branthwaite is a top target for United in the summer transfer window, but Everton’s price tag of over £70m poses a significant hurdle.
According to sources, Branthwaite is eager to join Old Trafford, and initial discussions with the 21-year-old’s representatives have been positive.
While United plan to submit a formal offer, a source indicated that Everton must lower their fee demands for the deal to proceed.
Additionally, sources revealed that United have alternative centre-back targets, including Marc Guéhi, Jean-Clair Todibo, Leny Yoro, and Matthijs de Ligt, and are willing to shift their focus ifEverton refuses to negotiate.
Chelsea are preparing to compete with Man Utd and several other clubs for the signing of Michael Olise, having initiated contact with Crystal Palace to discuss a potential deal for the winger, a source told ESPN’s James Olley.
The 22-year-old has also garnered interest from Newcastle and Bayern Munich, with United previously viewed as the leading contenders for his signature should he depart Palace this summer.
However, Chelsea are determined to pursue Olise and have approached their London rivals to avoid a repeat of last August’s confusion, when Chelsea believed they had triggered the player’s release clause, only for the deal to fall through as he signed a new contract with Palace.
This new contract includes a release clause valued between £50m and £60m, though there is uncertainty regarding whether it applies solely to clubs in the Champions League.
A source mentioned that Chelsea’s inquiry is focused on clarifying the specifics of this clause, given their qualification for next season’sConference League.
Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernándezis in advanced negotiations to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad on a free transfer, sources informed ESPN’s Moises Llorens and Rodrigo Faez.
With Nacho’s contract at Madrid set to expire on June 30, he is expected to depart the club for the first time in his career, barring any unforeseen changes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y3-jYgcnYE
An ESPN source revealed that Nacho had already decided to leave by the time Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in theChampions League final on June 1, where he lifted the trophy at Wembley as captain.
Spokesperson for theGhana Football Association (GFA),Henry Asante Twum, has shed light on the altercation that occurred between players and officials from the Central African Republic following Ghana’s 4-3 victory on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Jordan Ayew, who scored a hat-trick, and Black Stars assistant coach Joseph Laumann were at the centre of the incident at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Henry Asante Twum revealed that the scuffle began when Jordan Ayew defended his teammates from verbal abuse by a player and the assistant coach of the Central African Republic.
The player made derogatory remarks in French, not realising that Jordan Ayew and several Black Stars players understood the language.
Infuriated by the comments, Jordan Ayew confronted the player.
Simultaneously, Laumann, who also speaks French, addressed the assistant coach of C.A.R. for his similar comments.
“The report I received is that after the match, one of the Central African Republic players and their assistant coach insulted the Black Stars players in French. They didn’t realize that Jordan was adept in French, so Jordan confronted him,” he said.
“Joseph Laumann is also fluent in French, so he confronted the assistant coach. The assistant coach of C.A.R was the first to attack our assistant coach, but we managed to calm the situation and ensure it didn’t escalate. They were trying to paint a picture of us robbing them, and even their coach abandoned the post-match press conference,” he added on Asempa FM.
Jordan Ayew netted his second hat-trick for the Black Stars, leading them to a 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium. Fatawu Issahaku added another goal for the Black Stars.
The Black Stars now hold second place in Group I, with nine points from four matches.
Otto Addo, head coach of the Black Stars,has revealed that he has adopted a more composed approach when interacting with the media, attributing this change to advice received from his mother and other family members.
During his initial tenure as Black Stars head coach, Addo was perceived by many as being overly emotional in his interactions with the press.
However, since his return to the role, he has garnered praise for his improved handling of media relations.
When questioned about this transformation in an interview with 3Sports, Coach Otto Addo credited his mother’s advice as instrumental in helping him achieve a calmer demeanour.
“I don’t know if my approach was that different. My mother talked to me about taking off my emotions, even if I don’t like some questions. My family asked me to solve this and to be calm.
I have been talking to the FA president and the head of communications, who also gave me good advice.
I think I learned not to be too emotional, even if there are questions I don’t like. I think it keeps me calm,” he said.
Coach Otto Addo has begun his second tenure impressively by guiding the Black Stars to victories against Mali and the Central African Republic, revitalising Ghana’s campaign in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Luis Suarez has showcased his acting talents in a humorous advertisement centred around Lionel Messi, which has left Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham thoroughly amused.
The experienced Uruguayan striker has reunited with his former Barcelona teammate in Florida, where Manchester United and England icon Beckham have played a key role in arranging significant deals.
Known for their close friendship, Suarez and Beckham have been enjoying their time together on the field throughout 2024.
As they prepare for Copa America with Uruguay and Argentina, respectively, Luis Suarez has taken time before the tournament to star in a comedic production that humorously depicts his relationship with Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
In the advertisement, Suarez is besieged by friends, neighbors, and even a taxi driver seeking autographs and tickets to watch Messi play.
The 37-year-old’s patience is tested as everyone focuses more on his connection to the famous colleague than his own abilities.
However, he finds solace in a refreshing beer, cooling off from the chaos.
David Beckham and others have enjoyed the lighthearted nature of the production, which once again features playful references to Messi as a “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time).
Beckham, particularly, hopes Suarez and Messi can reignite their successful on-field partnership upon their return to Chase Stadium following international commitments.
Mbappe, a World Cup champion, and Vinicius Junior, who recently scored in a Champions League final and is now a contender for the Ballon d’Or, are now teammates at Real Madrid.
This follows Mbappe’s high-profile transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu from his former club.
There has been talk of Haaland joining them in Spain at some stage, as he has exit clauses that can be triggered in his contract at Premier League title holders Manchester City.
For now, the trio is having to make do with being away from the field.
They have been joined by Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho in the latest production from boot manufacturer Nike, which sees them display the grit, determination and dedication required to reach the very top, which could be considered “madness” by some.
Mbappe, Haaland and Vinicius showcase the ways in which they go “above and beyond in order to perform at the highest level when it matters the most”.
City star Haaland is now enjoying a summer break,but Mbappe and Vinicius are about to chase down international honours at Euro 2024 and Copa America, respectively.
Bank of Ghana (BoG) is the sole authority mandated to issue and redeem currency according to Section 35 of the Bank of Ghana Act (2002), Act 612.
Mr. Dominic Owusu, Head of the Currency Management Department at the Bank, emphasised this in an educational video produced by the central bank’s Communications Department.
He stated that one of BoG’s primary objectives is to protect and ensure the integrity, confidence, and trust in the currency for economic transactions.
Mr. Owusu noted that it takes a year to procure banknotes for economic transactions, urging Ghanaians to keep their notes clean.
He explained that banknotes are not printed in Ghana but are produced abroad and distributed under strict security across the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKDnFACEuo
Once the money reaches the Bank of Ghana branches and agencies, commercial banks withdraw these funds and make them available to the public.
He further indicated that when banknotes are dirty, counterfeiters find it easier to introduce fake notes into the system.
He reiterated the importance of keeping notes neat, adding that clean notes aid in intercepting counterfeit currency, thereby ensuring the integrity of economic transactions.
Ghana Health Service (GHS) has initiated an investigation into allegations that a patient from Winneba Trauma Hospital was abandoned in the bush at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region.
Reports indicate that the patient had been hospitalised for about two months following an accident, during which she sustained two broken legs and allegedly developed a mental illness.
Despite her condition, her family did not come to care for her.
Community members reported seeing the hospital’s ambulance transport the woman and leave her in a wheelchair in the bush at Ojobi, which she claimed was her hometown.
Tragically, she was later found dead.
Eyewitnesses informed UTV that they observed the ambulance drop her off on the outskirts of the town, assuming she was being left for her caretakers.
However, unconfirmed reports suggest that days after being left there, the woman was found unresponsive and subsequently passed away.
The Ghana Health Service said “upon receiving this disturbing news, it has initiated investigations into the matter to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the story in line with the existing practices in the public service to enable it to take appropriate actions.”
The GHS urged the public to be patient, assuring that anyone found to be connected with this unfortunate incident will be severely dealt with in accordance with provisions of the Service’s Code of Conduct.
Borussia Dortmundhas ended its association with manager Edin Terzic after he requested that the club “terminate his contract immediately.”
Terzic guided Dortmund to the Champions League final in the 2023–24 season, where they were defeated by Real Madrid at Wembley.
The club stated that they agreed to Terzic’s request following “a mutual discussion.”
“After the game at Wembley, I asked for a meeting with the club’s senior management team, because after nine years at BVB, including six on the coaching staff and two and a half as head coach, I feel that the club’s new era should begin with a new man on the touchline,” said Terzic, 41.
“Everyone close to me knows that this has been a very difficult decision for me to take over the last few weeks, but after intensive discussions, my fundamental feeling has not changed.
“I wish Borussia Dortmund the very best, Thank you and see you soon.”
Terzic’s coaching journey began at Dortmund’s academy from 2010 to 2013, before he joined Slaven Bilic at Besiktas as an assistant.
Moving with Bilic to West Ham in 2015, he departed following Bilic’s dismissal in November 2017, returning to Dortmund as Lucien Favre’s assistant the following year.
After Favre’s departure in December 2020, Terzic took over as interim manager until the end of the season, leading Dortmund to victory in the German Cup final against RB Leipzig.
Following this success, he briefly served as the club’s technical director before assuming the managerial role in 2022.
Dortmund finished as Bundesliga runners-up last season, narrowly missing out on the title after a draw with Mainz on the final matchday.
They secured fifth place in the 2023–24 campaign, securing qualification for the next season’s Champions League.
“Edin Terzic has done an outstanding job in his time at BVB, and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude,” said Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.
President Joe Biden confirmedat the G7 summit in Italy that he would not intervene to reduce his son Hunter Biden’s prison sentence for a federal gun charge.
This statement comes a day after the White House chose not to address the matter.
Hunter Biden was convicted by a Delaware jury on Tuesday for falsifying information about his drug use during the purchase of a revolver in 2018.
“I said I abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him,” the president said Thursday.
When questioned, Mr. Biden reiterated his stance that he would not exercise his presidential authority to commute or reduce his son’s sentence. Prior to the verdict, he had affirmed that he wouldn’t consider a pardon if his son was found guilty.
However, following the verdict, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment and referred to the president’s earlier statements.
In the United States, presidents can commute sentences for federal convictions, opting to lessen the punishment while keeping the conviction on record.
They also have the authority to issue full pardons, which erase convictions entirely. It’s important to note that these powers do not extend to cases tried at the state level.
“I’m extremely proud of my son, Hunter,” President Biden said during Thursday’s news conference. “He has overcome an addiction. He’s one of the brightest, most decent men I know. And I am satisfied that I’m not going to do anything.”
Hunter Biden entered a plea of not guilty to charges involving falsifying information about his drug use on a federal background check and possession of a firearm while allegedly addicted to or using drugs.
The 54-year-old claimed he was in recovery at the time of purchasing the gun in October 2018. Legal analysts suggest that despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 25 years, such a lengthy term is improbable.
There is ongoing debate among constitutional scholars regarding whether a president’s power to pardon extends to themselves. Notably, if elected in November,Donald Trump couldpotentially be the first to test this precedent in light of his pending federal criminal cases.
Donald Trump made his first visit to Capitol Hill since the riot by his supporters at Congress three years ago, meeting with Republicans as he prepares for the upcoming presidential election in November.
During the visit, the former president emphasised unity within the party, pledging to resolve any remaining differences among Republicans. Later in the day, Trump also held discussions with a group of 200 corporate leaders.
Reacting to Trump’s return, Nancy Pelosi, the former Democratic House Speaker, issued a statement condemning him as the “instigator of an insurrection” who was now “returning to the scene of the crime.”
Trump’s visit occurred two weeks after his criminal conviction in New York for falsifying business records related to a hush-money trial.
Arriving at a Republican office building near the US Capitol on Thursday morning, Trump encountered a small group of protesters holding signs denouncing him for the alleged “failed coup” and asserting, “Democracy Forever, Trump Never.”
In a brief press conference later that afternoon, Trump expressed confidence in the party’s unity and pledged support to fellow Republicans, even those he may have disagreements with.
I’m with every one of you. I’ll be with you always,” he said. “If [a relationship] wasn’t fantastic, it gets worked out. “We have one thing in mind, and that’s making our county great again.” Trump did not take questions, but waved and gave a thumbs up at a small group of supporters shouting, “I love you.” “Thank you,” he mouthed in response.
Following a meeting between Trump and House Republicans earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the former president “brought an extraordinary amount of energy and enthusiasm this morning.”.
“That is what we’re seeing in the party throughout the country,” Mr. Johnson said. “We believe we are going to win back the White House, and the Senate and grow the House majority.”
Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, described Trump’s meeting with House Republicans as a “pep-rally environment” for the former president. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, told reporters she saw nothing but “overwhelming support for Trump” among the party rank-and-file.
“I am glad to see Republicans here in Washington rallying around President Trump and his candidature as president,” she said. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, who has been openly critical of Trump in the past, called the visit “really positive.”. “He got a lot of standing ovations,” Mr McConnell added.
In addition to Mr McConnell, two other Trump critics within the party—Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy – were at the meeting. Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, described Trump as “extremely gracious” and “warm” to Senate Republicans.
“I guess I’ve just been here five years, and that’s probably the warmest meeting that I have been in with senators and Trump,” he told reporters.
Mr Hawley said that Trump spoke about abortion “quite a lot” at the meeting,where he reiterated hisstance that voters should be the ones to decide on the issue.
A middle-aged woman involved in an accident was reportedly abandoned in the bush by staff from the Winneba Trauma Specialist Hospital.
According to a report by UTV’s Jacob Kubi, the woman was alive when she was left at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region, but she passed away a few days later.
An eyewitness initially saw the ambulance in the bushes and thought the victim was being transported to the hospital.
However, upon returning, the witness found the woman lying helplessly.
Further investigation by Jacob Kubi revealed that the woman had been receiving treatment at the hospital.
However, the hospital’s management decided to discharge her because no family member came to take her.
In an interview with Jacob Kubi, Dr. George Prah confirmed that the woman was an accident victim undergoing treatment at the hospital.
They decided to take her to Gomoa Ojobi, as she claimed to be from there and no family member had come for her.
The police have since taken the body to the mortuary of the same hospital.
On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Malian Football Federation announced the dismissal ofhead coach Eric Chelle following a string of poor results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The decision came shortly after Mali’s 0-0 draw against 10-man Madagascar in Johannesburg.
Despite having a numerical advantage in the 16th minute due to a red card for Madagascar, the Eagles failed to score.
Additionally, Mali had previously lost 2-1 to the Black Stars after leading by one goal, further compounding their recent struggles.
“The executive committee of the Malian Football Federation, meeting in extraordinary session today, unanimously decided, with the agreement of the supervisory authority, to end the collaboration between the coach of the National Team Senior, Mr. Eric Sekou Chelle and the federation,” stated the official announcement.
Eric Chelle, 46, has a multicultural background having been born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother and growing up in France.
He spent most of his playing career in France and represented Mali internationally, earning five caps between 2004 and 2006.
Chelle was appointed as Mali’s head coach in May 2022.
However, despite this accomplishment, there were concerns about Mali’s performance as they failed to maintain their lead against the hosts, who were reduced to 10 players.
Prime suspect in the fatal shooting of a military officer in Kasoa,Ben Lord Ababio, has been officially charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Claiming to be a chief, Ben Lord is accused of shooting the officer at the Millennium City Police Station.
Initially arraigned on May 3, 2024, Ben Lord has been held in remand since then. Following the conclusion of their investigation, the police submitted the case file to the Attorney General’s office for review.
After weeks of deliberation, the Attorney-General has directed the police to proceed with charges of murder and conspiracy against Ben Lord.
Additionally, Nana Amoh Kwakye, the second individual implicated in the case, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
Two Ghanaian participants in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage have sadly passed away due to health complications in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims, who were from Damongo in the Savannah region, died on separate occasions: one on Sunday, June 9, and the other on Wednesday, June 12.
According to Channel One News, these events occurred while over 4,000 Ghanaian pilgrims were taking part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda, confirmed the unfortunate incidents, noting that the deceased were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
In a contrasting turn of events, the pilgrimage also witnessed the miracle of life as a Ghanaian woman among the pilgrims gave birth to a healthy baby in the sacred city of Mecca on Wednesday.
“So far, so good, except for the unfortunate loss of two pilgrims. One of our pilgrims has also given birth to a healthy baby,” the chairman noted.
Former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng,has revealed that he had not visited the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which he founded, for approximately 13 years.
During an interview on GTV on Thursday, June 13, 2024, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng shared that his visit to the Cardio Centre on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, for the 35th anniversary of the Centre, where he was honoured with a bust, was his first since being dismissed in 2011.
The former minister explained that his dismissal occurred under bizarre circumstances and that he was warned never to set foot in the Centre again.
He declined to elaborate on the reasons for his removal as head of the Cardio Centre, citing ongoing court action.
He declined to provide details of the reasons given for his removal as the head of the Cardio Centre, citing a court action.
“Yesterday was the first time in 13 years that I entered theCardio Centre since 2011. I’ve been to Korle-Bu, but not entered the Cardio Centre because I was given a letter to leave the Centre and more or less not step foot there.
“By the then Minister for Health… that for certain reasons, my appointment had been terminated and they wished me good luck in future… the reasons were very funny, but there are deep-seated reasons which I now don’t want to talk about that because of there certain legal issues going on,” he said.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng also expressed worry over the lack of expansion of the Centre.
However, he expressed confidence in the leadership of the Centre to bring in the needed changes so that it would be able to serve the needs of the country.
“We’ve lost a lot of ground. I mean, 35 years in that small space. We’ve lost a lot of ground and we need to catch up.
“I’m happy that the new management and the outgoing management are keen on doing that – establishing a National Cardiac Institute. And if they work hard, I think we’ll achieve that,” he said.
A statement from the two entities said, “The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has explained in a statement that the reduction in gas supply is due to maintenance works being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria and is projected to last three weeks.”
“The maintenance has caused a reduction in the overall power generation capacity in Ghana, which could result in load management over the period of the work,” the statement further added.
See the statement by GRIDCo and ECG:
The Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) wish to inform the public that, due to a reduction in gas supply from Nigeria since yesterday, June 12, 2024, some areas across the country have experienced interruptions in power supply.
The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), in a statement, has explained that the reduction in gas supply was due to maintenance works being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria and is projected to last three (3) weeks.
The maintenance has caused a reduction in overall power generation capacity in Ghana, which could result in load management over the period of the work.
GRIDCo and ECG, however, wish to assure the public that we are collaborating with other stakeholders in the power value chain to optimise available resources to ensure a minimal impact of the reduction in gas supply on consumers.
GRIDCo and ECG sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
American journalist Evan Gershkovich will face trial in Russia on espionage charges, according to Russian prosecutors.
The Wall Street Journal reporter is accused of collecting “secret information” from a Russian tank factory for the CIA.
Prosecutors announced he would be tried in Yekaterinburg, the city where he was arrested last March while covering the war in Ukraine. Both Mr. Gershkovich and the US government deny the charges, with Washington officially labelling him as “wrongfully detained.”
On Thursday, Russian prosecutors stated that an investigation had found Mr. Gershkovich had gathered “secret information” about the “production and repair of military equipment” at a Russian tank factory.
They claimed he carried out these “illegal actions using painstaking conspiratorial methods” under the CIA’s instructions.
Since his arrest, Mr. Gershkovich has been held in pre-trial detention in Moscow, approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) from Yekaterinburg.
He has spent over a year in custody and, if convicted, could face up to 20 years in prison. His arrest marks the first time since the Soviet era that Russia has accused a US journalist of espionage.
The American embassy in Moscow has labelled the detention “baseless.” The Wall Street Journal has accused Moscow of “stockpiling Americans in Russian jails to trade them later.” Russian officials barely conceal their view of Mr. Gershkovich as a bargaining chip.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Tucker Carlson,President Vladimir Putin suggested that a deal could be made to free Mr. Gershkovich.
He stated that it depended on “our partners [taking] reciprocal steps” and hinted at the identity of a person Russia would consider in a prisoner exchange.
Ghana ranks highly among African countries that are most exposed to risks from multiple weather-related hazards, especially perennial flooding.
Accra, amongst other regions in Ghana, has often faced the brunt of heavy flooding during rainy seasons over the past years.
In a bid to deal with this menace, past and present governments have invested some, with aid from the World Bank and other donors.
In May 2019, the World Bank approved a $200 million investment for the GARID project,, which focuses on improving flood risk management and solid waste management in the Odaw River Basin of Greater Accra.
This was after a devastating flood and fire disaster in the Odaw catchment on June 3, 2015 which led to the unfortunate loss of about 150 lives.
However, despite these significant investments, the Ministry of Works and Housing says only two percent of the problem has been addressed.
During a media engagement on June 13, 2024, the deputy sector Minister, Dr Prince Hamid Armah,, revealed that,
“If you take Greater Accra, the intervention of the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development Project (GARIP) that we put in a lot of resources to be able to address the problem, we are solving only two percent of the flooding situation in Greater Accra.”
According to him, addressing the drainage situation requires proper demarcation and mapping of the regional landscape, including all drainage systems, to accurately estimate the necessary budget.
He also mentioned that additional investment is needed to tackle the flooding issue, emphasising that the government alone cannot finance it.
When asked about the allocation of the recently approved tranche of the GARID project, he explained that the additional $150 million will be partially used for re-scoping the project and settling compensations.
Meanwhile, the seven major floods include the Accra floods of 1995.
The torrential floods in Northern Ghana in 2007.The major flooding event in Accra in June 2010.
The floods in Accra and surrounding areas in June 2014.
Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus has been ranked as the second most valuable African player in the world at the end of the 2023–24 football season, following Chelsea striker Nicholas, valued at 99.3 million euros.
The Black Stars’ standout player joined West Ham United last summer, transferring from Dutch giants Ajax after several successful seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie, where he had established himself as one of the league’s top talents.
In his debut season at West Ham United, Mohammed Kudus delivered impressive performances, quickly becoming a fan favourite and emerging as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
With eight goals and six assists in his first season in the English Premier League, the Ghanaian star’s value has skyrocketed.
Having been signed for 44.5 million euros last summer, Mohammed Kudus is now valued at 89.6 million euros.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Mohammed Kudusis currently the second most valuable African player in the world, just behind Chelsea striker Nicholas, whose value is pegged at 99.3 million euros.
South Africa’s health minister,Joe Phaahla, has announced a second death from monkey pox (mpox) less than 24 hours after the country reported its first fatality from the virus.
The deceased men, aged 37 and 38, tested positive for the virus, according to Mr. Phaahla.
Mr. Phaahla further disclosed that South Africa has recorded six cases of mpox this year: two in Gauteng and four in KwaZulu-Natal.
All cases were severe, requiring hospitalisation, and involved men aged between 30 and 39 who had not traveled to countries experiencing outbreaks, indicating local transmission of the disease.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection spread through close contact.
Symptoms typically start with fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, and muscle aches, which may progress to a rash.
While the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency during a 2022 outbreak, reporting has shown continued low levels of cases in certain countries even after the emergency was lifted last year.
“One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease,” Mr Phaahla said on Wednesday, urging those with suspected symptoms to seek medical attention and help trace contacts.
According to Mr. Phaahla, the six patients diagnosed with mpox since the beginning of May had pre-existing immunodeficiencies.
The virus has been documented in over 100 countries since 2022.
Of those infected, two have been discharged home, while two are still hospitalised. Close contacts of the deceased individuals will undergo a 21-day monitoring period.
The first human case of mpox was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, where the disease continues to be endemic, as stated by theWorld Health Organisation (WHO).
Despite André Ayew’s impressive form at Le Havre, where he scored six goals in 12 starts, he was notably omitted from Otto Addo’s 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ third and fourth matches.
The decision to exclude André surprised many fans, given his recent performances.
Following Ghana’s thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic on Monday, questions arose about André’s absence.
In response, Otto Addo chose to address the situation on behalf of Jordan Ayew.
“Let me speak for Jordan. Of course, he wants his brother beside him, but ultimately, the decision lies with me and the coaching staff. As a brother, naturally, he would prefer to have Andre next to him,” Addo explained.
“But I have a responsibility to the national team and to Ghana. I must make decisions that are best for the team. Who knows? Maybe Andre will be included in the future, or maybe not.
It’s uncertain. I might not even be here to decide. We just don’t know what the future holds.”
Jordan Ayew has played a pivotal role for Ghana, scoring decisive goals in their recent victories over Mali and the Central African Republic.
These performances have been instrumental, as the Black Stars currently hold the second position in Group I, aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Under theguidance of Otto Addo, Ghana is determined to continue their quest for World Cup qualification, with upcoming matches against Chad and Madagascar scheduled for March 2025.
Juventus have reportedly submitted a £40 million ($51m) bid to Manchester United, aiming to prompt a decision on Mason Greenwood.
The Bianconeri seek additional creativity and goal-scoring prowess, with Greenwood catching their eye following a successful loan stint at Getafe, where he scored 10 goals.
Napoli, another Italian heavyweight, is also interested, but Juventus have now made an official offer, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
Discussions between the Turin-based outfit and Premier League giants United are said to have been “underway for some time”.
Manchester United have not yet approved Greenwood’s sale, awaiting potential counter offers, which could prompt Juventus to explore other options from Old Trafford.
One such alternative is Jadon Sancho, who recently featured in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League final appearance and is reportedly also on Juventus’ radar.
Several potential deals are currently under consideration at Allianz Stadium, including Juventus’ interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Reports suggest they may propose a part-exchange deal involvingUSMNT’s Weston McKennie and England U21 international Samuel Iling-Junior to secure the Brazilian playmaker.
The draw for the 2025Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)Qualifiers is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 4, 2024.
This draw, to be held at SuperSport Studios, will determine the groupings for the qualifiers leading to the tournament in Morocco.
Forty-eight nations, including preliminary round winners Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan, will be allocated into 12 groups of four teams each, competing for spots in the finals.
Among the notable nations confirmed for the draw are reigning African champions Cote d’Ivoire, as well as Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, and others.
The qualifiers are set to commence in September 2024, with the aim of determining the initial 24 nations advancing to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.
Following the excitement of AFCON 2023, where the host nation secured their third title against expectations, the upcoming qualifiers promise a series of compelling matches on the road to the 35th edition of this prestigious continental event.
In a conversation with former Manchester United defender and pundit Rio Ferdinand, Mourinho recounted an incident where he nearly injured his leg in the Chelsea dressing room.
He also disclosed that he had wished to sign Lionel Messi but ultimately felt that coaching the exceptional talent was impractical, given Messi’s status as the standout player of his generation.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Mourinho said: “My favourite dressing room moment? One of my favourite moments in the dressing room was when I almost broke a leg at Stamford Bridge at halftime.
I wanted to kick the massage table and I hit something very hard. I had no shin pads [laughs] and I almost broke a leg.”
“One player that I never signed but wished I had? In my generation, of course, I would say the little guy [Messi]. The little guy was not coachable but I have to say, in our generation, he was the best.”
Even though Mourinho has coached Cristiano Ronaldo, he has consistently praised Messi as the greatest, a sentiment he has expressed multiple times.
During his tenure at Real Madrid, Mourinho was involved in numerous encounters with the Argentine, including defeating Messi and Pep Guardiola to clinch the 2010 La Liga title.
Now embarking on his new role at Fenerbahce this summer, Mourinho is shifting his focusback to club football after a few months away from management.
He continued his stellar form by netting a remarkable hat-trick on Monday, leading Ghana to a thrilling 4-3 win over the Central African Republic.
The Crystal Palace forward is determined to maintain his scoring streak for the Black Stars in the upcoming matches, aiming to contribute towards Ghana’s qualification for the2026 FIFA World Cup.
On Wednesday, Italian giant Juventus announced the hiring of Thiago Motta as their new manager, replacing Massimiliano Allegri.
“Juventus is delighted to announce Thiago Motta as the new First Team head coach.
The Italian-Brazilian has signed an agreement with the club until June 30, 2027,” Juventus said in a statement.
Allegri was fired for his antics at the end of his team’s Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta, while Bologna confirmed before the end of the Serie A season that Motta would not extend his contract at the club.
“I am really happy to begin a new chapter at the helm of a great club like Juventus,” Motta said as part of Juventus’ announcement.
“I thank the owners and the management, who can be sure of my ambition to keep the Juventus flag flying high and to please the fans.”
At 41 years old, Motta successfully led Bologna to secure Champions League qualification in his second season with the northern Italian club, marking their first appearance in the prestigious tournament since 1964.
Before his tenure at Bologna, Motta steered Spezia to Serie A survival in the 2021–2022 season, although his initial managerial stint at Genoa lasted only two months in 2020.
The Brazil-born former Italy international had a distinguished playing career, notably with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan, where he achieved a historic treble underJosé Mourinho’s guidance in 2009–2010.
Recently, Motta’s Bologna faced Juventus in their second-to-last Serie A fixture, relinquishing a three-goal lead in the final 15 minutes as Paolo Montero temporarily took charge following Allegri’s departure.
Allegri’s contract was officially terminated earlier in June by mutual agreement.
Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien is confident that West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus possesses the talent to become one of the world’s top players.
In an interview with TalkSport, the Chelsea legend expressed his belief that Mohammed Kudus is destined for greatness and will soon be among the best footballers in the world.
Michael Essien stated that he has high expectations for Kudus and is convinced that he will soon dominate the football scene.
“I rate him very highly, and he’s got everything to be at the top. He is a good footballer, and he has everything to go to the top,” Essien said.
Mohammed Kudus has recently been the focus of attention due to his response to criticism from social media users regarding his performance in Ghana’s match against the Central African Republic.
Following dissatisfaction with his display, some Ghanaians criticised Kudus, demanding better from him.
In response, Kudus reacted strongly, using language that upset some Ghanaians, including sports journalist Jeffrey Asare.
Jeffrey Asare strongly criticised Mohammed Kudus’ actions on social media following Ghana’s victory over the Central African Republic on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Asare emphasised that Kudus could jeopardise his potential if he does not maintain humility and respect towards Ghanaians.
He reminded Kudus that the Black Stars have seen more talented players in the past, citing Stephen Appiah as an example.
Asare noted that Appiah, who he believes accomplished more in football than Kudus, never showed disrespect towards Ghanaians.
“Kudus is average with the potential to be a top player in the future.
He can only become a top player if he has a good attitude. The national team belongs to Ghanaians, and none of the national team players can match Abedi Pele’s talent.
“You have the audacity to insult fans who criticise and appeal to you to release the ball early. The Black Stars have seen far better players than Kudus, who never insulted fans who criticised them.
If people are criticising you and you are a professional player worth your salt, you keep quiet.
“Stephen Appiah has never spoken back at Ghanaians because he is a mature player. Those who are advising him should counsel him well; otherwise, he won’t reach his full potential,” he said.
Former France midfielder Claude Makelele believes thatKobbie Mainoo shares similar attributes with Ghanaian legend Michael Essien.
The Manchester United midfielder, who has Ghanaian heritage, has been selected for the England squad for Euro 2024.
Mainoo had an exceptional season with the Red Devils, scoring the decisive goal in the FA Cup final. However, his spot in England’s starting eleven is not assured.
Nonetheless, Makelele thinks that a midfield partnership featuring 19-year-old Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will be advantageous for the Three Lions.
“To complete England’s midfield, I would go for Rice, Bellingham, and this boy in Manchester [Mainoo]. He is very good, so young, but he has demonstrated that he can play.
He is young but has quality. I think he will add some spice to the midfield,” Makelele said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
The young player is frequently compared to former Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, but Makelele sees more similarities to Michael Essien in Mainoo.
“I would say Michael Essien. He needs to learnmore from Michael Essien. He is young, you know, and he has a great future ahead of him,” he added.
Award-winning sports broadcaster Saddick Adams has observed that Black Stars talisman Mohammed Kudus was not subjected to abuse on social media during Ghana’s game against the Central African Republic.
Kudus responded to some criticism from Ghanaians regarding his performance in the game with a social media rant.
Although some considered the comments directed at the West Ham player to be abusive, Saddick Adams argued that they were simply criticisms.
“Fans are like that; they are fickle. What is not abuse is when somebody says you should have played this pass earlier. Don’t do that; this is not something a professional footballer of your calibre should do. That is not abuse to me.
“The fans are making fair comments…They may be ignorant about the game, but that is what they think. So many players have come under this, even Ronaldo and Messi. I don’t think it is abuse,” he said on his YouTube channel, Saddick Adams TV.
He acknowledged that social media has given fans a platform to express their emotions and opinions about every action during the game, which can sometimes result in harsh comments.
“Also, when some of these things happen, it happens in the heat of the moment. Your heart is following the game intensely. When the game is ongoing, a big game of that nature is like a marketplace.
Everybody is shouting; some of them are criticising, some of them are giving praises, some of them are being vocal about something, and some are being controversial because everyone has a phone,” he added.
Kudus, in his response to the fans, urged them to be quiet and not talk about his game.
One of the criticisms sighted online reads, “You people should tell Kudus the truth. He’s not Messi, nor is he Ronaldo. He should stop doing too much and release the ball quickly.”
The West Ham United star replied, “Masa, be quiet!”
Despite the critical online comments, Kudus delivered a solid performance as Ghana secured a 4-3 victory in their fourth match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The video, uploaded to Bawumia’s social media channels on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, captures him alongside government appointees, senior New Patriotic Party officials, and musician King Paluta, all enjoying a jovial time together.
Seated beside the Vice President on the campaign bus, King Paluta treats the group to an acapella performance of his popular song “Aseda.”
The Vice President joined his campaign team in singing along with the 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards New Artiste of the Year, celebrating a moment of praise.
Also featured in the video were Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, and Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and serving as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP.
Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer,concluded a three-day tour of the Ashanti Region as part of his nationwide campaign for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, stated that the agreement between Ghana and its Official Creditor Committee (OCC) will facilitate the approval of the country’s third tranche of $360 million.
In a social media post on Wednesday, she congratulated the country on reaching an agreement with the OCC, saying, “this will support the IMF Executive Board’s consideration of the programme’s second review later this month.”
This development follows the Ministry of Finance’s announcement regarding the restructuring of approximately US$13 billion in external debt, marking a critical step towards restoring Ghana’s long-term debt sustainability.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of Finance, explained that the agreement would strengthen the ongoing discussions with private creditors, aiming to reach a comparable agreement as soon as possible.
“This landmark agreement marks an extraordinary milestone in Ghana’s debt restructuring journey and will further strengthen our ambitious reform agenda with the strong support of our development partners,” he said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, an Economist, described the agreement reached as a “major breakthrough” in the country’s debt restructuring process.
“From all indications, the MoU would be finalised by the end of this month, and the IMF Executive Board would approve the second review, which would occasion the release of the third tranche of US$360 million,” he said.
“There’s reasonable certainty that by the end of the month, we should be getting the third tranche, and it’s good news, but that’s not what will solve all the problems,” he added.
He called for intensified reforms to address key structural benchmarks, such as inflation and exchange rate pressures, in order to consolidate and sustain the gains made.
Reflecting on previous IMF loan support programs, Prof. Bokpin cautioned against easing efforts ahead of the third review of the current program. He urged the media, academia, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take a leading role in this endeavour.
“The third review, which will happen towards the latter part of this year and happen within the hot season of the election, is where the risk is; and that’s where we need to focus our attention on.”
He said it was because the country’s history has indicated that in almost all presidential cycles, under an IMF programme, the government tended not to take the review that happened at the peak of the election seriously.
He urged the government to work towards structural benchmarks for the third review, including fiscal responsibilities, and make policies in that regard tighter as a restraint on “excessive expenditure.”
Divisional Executives Council of the Public Services Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana, representing the National Identification Authority (NIA) Division, has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike, which began on June 10, 2024.
This decision to halt the strike comes as the union prepares for crucial discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2024.
The suspension is the result of interventions from several key stakeholders, including an appeal from the Minister for National Security and an invitation from the FWSC to return to the negotiation table.
Additional factors include advice from the union’s parent body, in light of a recent National Labour Commission (NLC) ruling, and the expressed concerns of the Ghanaian public.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 12, the Divisional Executives Council noted that the FWSC had assured them of its commitment to engaging in good faith during the upcoming discussions.
“However, this gesture will be put to the test on Friday, June 14, 2024. Members are therefore assured that, if, at the close of negotiations on Friday, the government fails to demonstrate true faith by granting us Institution Specific Allowances, we would not be hesitant to return to our industrial action; this must be noted,” it added.
The council therefore appealed to its members to report to work on Thursday,June 10, 2024.
“We appreciate your unprecedented massive solidarity and compliance following the declaration of the strike action. The action has really made a tremendous impact.
However, we anticipate favourable outcomes within the shortest possible time.”
It also cautioned the FWSC to demonstrate good faith as it gets back to the negotiation table in the interest of industrial harmony.
He highlighted that both local and international companies generate substantial revenue from their Ghanaian clients, making taxation necessary.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s “The Point of View,” Dr. Ampaabeng discussed various potential revenue sources for Ghana, emphasising online businesses and content creation companies.
He questioned why national companies operating in Ghana are taxed, while social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook, which host numerous advertisements, are not subject to the Ghanaian tax system.
Dr. Ampaabeng pointed out that these social media companies profit from the advertisements they display, and online trading companies earn significant income from their products and services.
He mentioned online trading platforms such as Jiji, Jumia, and Tonaton, which he believes exceed all physical marketplaces in Ghana in terms of scale.
“I can’t think of a country that has not gotten a digital service tax system of some sort, so Ghana is long overdue. Just to make an example so that people will appreciate where I’m coming from. Go to YouTube and play a video, within one or two minutes, you are going to watch about two or three advertisements.
“What it tells you is that Facebook or Youtube is making profits right here in Ghana. Go to your Facebook account, and you are going to see a number of ads on your right and left.
What it is telling you is that Facebook is making profits right here in Ghana and not being taxed. Meanwhile, there are companies operating in Ghana, for jurisdictional reasons, of course, that are being taxed.
“So then, it comes to the question of the application of our tax laws. Revenues generated in Ghana are subject to taxes. We have Facebook, TikTok and all those players; these are digital platform owners.”
He stressed, “Then we have the digital or market players; here we are talking about individuals who are using the digital platforms. We have Jiji, Jumia, and Tonaton, these combined are bigger than all the physical marketplaces in Ghana. And it tells you the volume of transactions that are going on there.”
He expressed his hope that individuals earning online profits from Ghanaian residents would be taxed.
“There are conversations ongoing; I wouldn’t want to preempt anything, maybe in the future, it might not be anytime soon, what I would like to see is a Ghana where people who are earning all forms of profits in the country are subject to taxes. People who are trading online with Ghanaian residents, people who are generating revenue from Ghana, are allowed to pay taxes,” he noted.
Additionally, he proposed a collaboration with the government to curb cybercrimeby registering and verifyingthese online trading companies.
“We can have a system where the government engages these operators, so individuals will submit their Ghana Card and are registered and verified.
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,has urged Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and Presidential Aspirant for the NPP in the upcoming December 2024 elections, to take decisive action to review the Chieftaincy Act if elected as president.
According to the Asantehene, this review would facilitate better collaboration between chiefs and the government, allowing for more active participation in the country’s development process.
Furthermore, the revision would empower chiefs, the custodians of the land, to effectively partner with the government in combating illegal mining, which is damaging the country’s rivers, forests, land, and other natural resources.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu made these remarks when the Vice President visited him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during his three-day campaign tour of the Ashanti region.
The Asantehene also called on Dr. Bawumia to fulfill his promise to improve the allowances provided to various traditional councils. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of continuing all ongoing development projects across the country and initiating major new ones to foster growth and sustainable development.
He urged the Vice President to clearly communicate his vision to the people, helping them to understand and support him in the December elections.
Earlier, the Vice President had visited the Chief of Kenyase in the Kwabre East Municipality, pledging his commitment to complete the ongoing road projects in the area. He also inspected the Agenda 111 Project and the Mampongteng town roads, promising to enhance their conditions.
During his visit toOpoku Ware Senior High School, Dr. Bawumiapresented over 4,000 tablets to the students as part of the government’s smart school initiative aimed at ensuring quality education in the technological age.
FIFA has characterizedGhana’s exhilarating 4-3 triumph over the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as ‘crazy.’
The football governing body shared its astonishment at the match’s outcome, which witnessed Otto Addo’s team clinch a hard-fought victory in Kumasi, on its official platform.
“This #FIFAWorldCup qualifying match was crazy!” FIFA wrote, accompanied by a popcorn and an exploding head emoji, reflecting the excitement and drama that unfolded on the pitch.
Ghana’s recent victory over the Central African Republic marked the team’s third triumph in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers.
Their journey began with a narrow 1-0 win over Madagascar in Kumasi, followed by a disappointing 1-0 loss to Comoros in Moroni.
However, on June 6th, Ghana bounced back with a 2-1 victory over Mali, courtesy of goals from Ernest Nuamah and Jordan Ayew.
This set the stage for a thrilling encounter against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, June 10, 2024.
In this intense match, Jordan Ayew stole the spotlight with a remarkable hat-trick, while Abdul Fatawu Issahaku netted the other goal.
Yet, the Central African Republic fought relentlessly, managing to score a late third goal, setting the stage for a tense finale.
Despite the late scare, Ghana maintained their composure and clinched a crucial three points. This victory propelled them to the top of Group I with nine points from four games.
Ghanaian dancehall and reggae artist, Stonebwoy has reiterated his status as a married man, for which reason he wouldn’t fight anyone.
He made the disclosure during an interview with Accra-based radio station Asaase Radio on June 12, 2024.
“I’m a married man; I’m solid, you know. I’m not in any rivalry with anybody. This is a good opportunity to let the world know that you know I’m in no rivalry with anybody,” he stated.
This comes after his self-acclaimed rival and fellow dancehall artist of the 25th TGMA, Artiste of the Year, Shatta Wale, accused and attacked him over a cancellation of his performance at the University of Ghana’s James Nelson Top Yankah Hall Week celebration (Wave Africa Artiste Night ).
He went on to emphasise that “you can all see. I just have to state that we can all see a beef when you get replies. A rivalry is when it’s back and forth. So it’s not worth it, not qualified to be called a rivalry,” he affirmed.
Both Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were slated to grace the University of Ghana Campus with their performances on June 8. Stonebwoy was set to take the stage at Limann Hall’s karaoke night, while Shatta Wale was booked for the JT Nelson Yankah Hall artiste night.
However, just hours before Shatta Wale’s scheduled performance, organizers of the JT Nelson Yankah Hall event received an unexpected directive instructing them to refrain from allowing Shatta Wale to perform.
Interestingly, Stonebwoy’s performance went on without any hitches or interruptions.
This discrepancy led to widespread speculation and rumors, fueled by the longstanding rivalry between the two artists. Many conjectured that Stonebwoy might have utilised his connections with influential figures and authorities to hinder Shatta Wale’s performance.
Jordan Ayew and the captain of the Central African Republic, Amos Youga, have been captured in a viral video after the 2026 World Cup qualifiers between the two teams at theBaba Yara Sports Stadium on June 10, 2024.
Initially perceived to be a harmless exchange, it escalated into a fight between the duo, where the captain of CAR slapped Ayew on the neck as he held on to his head with both hands, after which, in a retaliatory move, pushed the CAR captain Black Stars goalkeeper Ati-Zigi in to separate and calm the two.
More players from both teams later rushed back to the park.
There was a confr0ntation between Jordan Ayew and the captain of the CAR national team last night after the game.
Antoine Semenyo, on the other hand, tried to defend Jordan Ayew while Thomas Partey exchanged pleasantries with teammates of the Central African Republic.
The exact reasons behindthe altercation remain unclear, leaving fans and pundits speculating about the cause of the conflict.
On Thursday, a thousand BTS fans will line up in Seoul for a chance to receive a hug from Jin, who has returned to his K-pop idol role after completing 18 months of military service.
This three-hour event marks his first public appearance since being discharged from the army on Wednesday.
The lucky 1,000 fans were selected through a raffle, though Jin had initially proposed hugging up to 3,000 fans.
“I’m so happy now that I will meet Jin,” says Ms. Park, who learned last weekend that she had won a spot in Thursday’s “hugathon.”.
“I didn’t expect to win. I couldn’t believe it so all weekend I kept checking over and over again,” says the 32-year-old, who did not wish to reveal her first name.
She said it only started to “feel real” when she began packing for her trip to the capital.
Jin, 31, the eldest member of the hit boy band BTS, was drafted in December 2022. He served as an assistant drill instructor at a South Korean military training centre, fulfilling the country’s requirement for all able-bodied men to serve.
Jin is the first BTS member to be discharged from duty. The other six members—J-Hope, V, RM, Jimin, Jung Kook, and Suga—are still serving, and the band is expected to reunite only in June 2025.
However, the others took time off on Wednesday to celebrate Jin’s return. Fans are already excited about images of their brief reunion on that day.
Jin kicked off his return to the music scene with a livestream where he spoke to fans: “Thank you for waiting for me, I love you. I will try to express my feelings tomorrow.”
Thursday’s hugs will be followed by another event for 3,000 fans, where Jin will perform requested songs and share messages.
Vanessa May Leuterio, 25, wasn’t lucky in the raffle for the hugs but made it to the second round. She flew from the Philippines to attend the event.
“I cried [when I learned the result] since I prayed very hard for a winning slot,” she said. “It was definitely hard to win since it was me versus thousands of ARMYs [BTS fan group] who wanted to join.”
@BTS_twt BTS members gather to celebrate Jin’s return from army@BTS_twt.
The other six members of BTS took time off on Wednesday to celebrate Jin’s return Ms Park, on the other hand, is both excited and worried.
“Hugging a thousand people for three hours is difficult even if Jin became more fit in the military,” she says.
She said many fans wanted HYBE, the band’s manager, which is also behind the event, to invite fewer fans for hugs. They also wanted them to vet the attendees.
“Someone could approach him, pretending to be a fan. We fans are constantly worried for the artist’s health and safety,” Ms Park says.
The event also drew backlash for its qualification rules, which required fans to join ARMY, which reportedly has more than 25 million members. They also had to buy BTS albums on a designated website to enter the raffle – the more albums they bought, the higher their chances of being hugged.
But this caused an uproar and HYBE was accused of using the event to sell unsold albums. The agency eventually apologised and loosened the criteria to allow anyone who had ever purchased certain BTS albums.
Jin addressed the controversy in his livestream on Wednesday: “This is something that the company and I prepared in good intention, so please understand.”
To fans, Jin’s return is also the beginning of BTS’ return from a forced hiatus. But the question industry insiders are asking is whether the world’s most famous boy band can be as successful after a pause?
“BTS will be perceived as older,” says music critic Lim Hee-yun. But he doesn’t think that will necessarily hurt the band’s image.
“BTS has been active for more than a decade. They will not attract new, young fans who will find them fresh, but their existing fan base will go with them. They are growing old with the band.”
Fans seem to agree. “I think that shouldn’t be a problem between ARMYs and BTS,” says 20-year-old Samantha, who did not win the chance to hug Jin but will attend the second part of Thursday’s event.
She has been following the band since she was 10 and doesn’t see that changing anytime soon: “I like their music, not their popularity.”
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Seskohas inked a fresh contract at the Red Bull Arena, as confirmed by the club on Wednesday.
This development comes amidst keen interest from top Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
According to ESPN’s report on Tuesday, negotiations between Sesko and Leipzig were nearing completion.
The young forward had garnered significant attention throughout the season, with Arsenal particularly active in scouting him and initially leading the pursuit before discussions with Leipzig intensified in recent days.
Sesko, 21, emerged as a sought-after talent across Europe following his impressive tally of 18 goals across various competitions last season.
Several Premier League outfits were considering activating his €65 million release clause.
“I had a good first year at RB Leipzig and am incredibly happy to be here,” Sesko said in a statement. “Team, club, city, fans—the overall package remains simply outstanding for me.
Poland’s star striker, Robert Lewandowski, will be absent from his team’s Euro 2024 opener against the Netherlands due to a thigh injury.
The 35-year-old sustained the injury during a 2-1 victory against Turkey in their last warm-up match before the tournament.
Lewandowski, who represents Barcelona, was substituted off after 33 minutes.
Following the match against the Netherlands, Poland will face Austria in their second game on June 21, with their final Group D fixture against France scheduled for June 25.
“Lewandowski suffered a rupture of the biceps femoris muscle, which will exclude him from the first match of the tournament,” said a Poland statement.
Defender Pawel Dawidowicz and strikerKarol Swiderskialso suffered injuries but should “return to full training within three to four days.”
Arsenal midfielder VictoriaPelova has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while representing the Netherlands on international duty, the club has confirmed.
The 25-year-old was forced off in the 12th minute during her country’s Uefa Championship qualifying match against Finland last week after sustaining a knee injury.
Pelova is now scheduled for surgery and faces an extended period on the sidelines.
Her injury adds to a string of ACL setbacks for Arsenal players over the past year and a half, including forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, as well as defender Leah Williamson.
Research indicates that female footballers are at a higher risk of ACL injuries compared to their male counterparts, with potential factors including anatomical differences and hormonal influences.
However, the exact cause remains uncertain.
Dr. Katrine Okholm Kryger, a sports medicine expert specialising in football at St. Mary’s University in London, suggests ongoing discussions around whether the risk stems from biological factors or gender-specific training and management approaches.
In April, Fifpro, the Professional Footballers’ Association, Nike, and Leeds Beckett University announced “Project ACL,” a three-year initiative aimed at conducting research into ACL tears.
Speculation surrounded the Dutchman’s future following a disappointing Premier League campaign, but the club’s triumph in the FA Cup final against Manchester City marked a positive conclusion to the season.
Following an extensive review conducted by new co-owners INEOS, led by Sir Dave Brailsford, the decision was made to keep Ten Hag at the helm.
Sources revealed to ESPN that the review unequivocally recommended Ten Hag’s continuation as manager.
Talks between Ten Hag and the club are underway to discuss a contract extension beyond his current deal, which was set to expire in 2025.
These discussions were described as constructive, focusing on the outcomes of the review.
Ten Hag’s inaugural season at Old Trafford saw a commendable third-place finish in the Premier League and success in the Carabao Cup.
However, the subsequent season witnessed a downturn, with United’s league performance hitting an all-time low as they finished eighth.
Despite winning the FA Cup, their European and domestic struggles led to consideration of potential replacements for Ten Hag, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, and Graham Potter.
Moreover, interest was also expressed in England manager Gareth Southgate.
Ten Hag has repeatedly insisted injuries were to blame for poor results and was defiant in the face of intense questioning about his future following the FA Cup final at Wembley, saying: “If they [United’s owners] don’t want me, then I go somewhere else to win trophies because that is what I do.”
Now that he has received confirmation that he will retain his position as manager, it is anticipated that he will return to Carrington for the commencement of preseason training in July. United’s summer fixtures kick off with a match against Rosenborg in Norway on July 15.
