Following Ian Baraclough’s dismissal, Michael O’Neill has been rehired as Northern Ireland’s manager on a five-and-a-half-year deal.
O’Neill’s first tenure in command, which spanned from December 2011 to April 2020, saw him lead Northern Ireland to their first tournament in 30 years and the last 16 of Euro 2016.
The 53-year-old was fired from his position as Stoke City‘s manager in August after taking over in November and initially juggling it with his role as Northern Ireland manager.
Northern Ireland, which fired Baraclough in October after he won just four of his 22 competitive games, has now brought him back into the world of international managing.
“I am delighted to be the Northern Ireland senior men’s manager,” O’Neill said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I am excited to see what can be achieved with this group of players and can’t wait to be in front of the Green and White Army at the National Stadium once again.”
O’Neill’s first game in charge will be against San Marino on March 23 in Northern Ireland’s opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
S&P Globalhas downgraded Ghana’s long-term local currency bonds to “selective default”.
Per the statement from the American credit rating agency, Ghana’s foreign currency debt has been cut from “CCC-plus” to “CC” with default a “virtual certainty”.
“S&P said Ghana’s proposed local debt swap is a “distressed exchange offer,” earning those bonds the “selective default” rating, while the foreign currency bonds downgrade responds to the government’s announced plans to restructure that debt,” the report said on December 6, 2022.
The downgrade is due to government’s debt exchange programme announced on December 5, 2022, by the government.
The government has made an invitation to “holders of domestic debt to voluntarily exchange approximately GH¢137 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, including E.S.L.A. and Daakye bonds, for a package of New Bonds to be issued by the Republic.”
The move has been regarded as a clear admission of probable default on its bonds.
S&P DOWNGRADEs GHANA TO SD ( selective default) from CCC+, REFLECTING GHANA’s RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF DOMESTIC BOND DEFAULT.
This comes after Ghana’s second biggest bank, GCB Bank, was downgraded by international rating agency, Moody’s.
GCB Bank’s long-term local currency deposit rating was downgraded to Caa3 from Caa2 and is one notch higher than the bank’s Ca long-term foreign currency deposit rating.
Again, its long-term foreign currency deposit ratings have also been downgraded from Ca to Caa2, its long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings (CRRs) to Caa3 from Caa2 and its long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment (CR Assessment) to Caa3(cr) from Caa2(cr).
The rating follows Moody’s action on December 2, 2022, to downgrade Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings from Ca to Caa2 and place them on review for downgrade on November 29, 2022.
This is the second time in two years that Moody’s has downgraded the indigenous bank.
A judgement debt worth GHS120 million may hit Ghana over the construction of the national cathedral project, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed.
In a Facebook post, the legislator explained that Waterstone Realty Apartment Complex has dragged the Lands Commission to court for its “reckless decision” to demolish the Waterstone Realty Apartment Complex to pave way for the construction of the cathedral.
He blamed President Akufo-Addo for this development, adding that “Bad leadership created the current economic crisis.”
In a writ of summons, the plaintiff, Waterston Reality Limited noted that the defendant, Lands Commission, had been directed to pay the sum $4721000 being the market value of the two-storey multipurpose building complex at the time of compulsory possession and demolition by defendants.
A further order “directed at the defendants to pay the Plaintiff the sum of $995,508.52 being the difference in terms of the established market value of the plaintiff’s property on the land being the sum $4,721,000 and the actual value of the property as of May 2018 when the defendant repossessed the property,” per the document shared by Mr Ablakwa.
The Lands Commission was also to pay the sum of $54,000 being loss of rent, general damages and cost including cost of engagement of solicitors.
Meanwhile, work on the construction of the national cathedral has been halted due to insufficient funds.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has asserted that the 2022 World Cup has been a “fantastic success,” pushed along by the best group stage in the competition’s history.
Speaking on the first rest day of the World Cup, Infantino said: “I have seen all the matches, indeed, and put very simply and very clearly, this has been the best group stage of a FIFA World Cup ever.
“So, it’s very promising for the remainder of the FIFA World Cup.
“The matches have been of great, great quality in beautiful stadiums – we knew that already. However, as well, the public who was there was incredible. Over 51,000 on average.
“Record-breaking figures on TV – we already had over two billion viewers, which is really incredible.
“Two and a half million people in the streets of Doha and a few hundred thousand every day in the stadiums, all together, cheering together, supporting their teams, fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement and surprises.”
Following an unprecedented opening address in which he disregarded several critiques and controversies surrounding the finals, FIFA president Infantino was under fire as Qatar 2022 got underway.
Even though there have been more of these incidents during the tournament, most notably the controversy surrounding the OneLove campaign, Infantino thinks the product on the field has improved.
No side finished the group stage with nine points out of a possible nine, since there were several surprises, most notably Argentina’s defeat to Saudi Arabia and Germany’s early exit.
These surprises have continued into the round of 16, with Morocco eliminating Spain on Tuesday via penalties.
“For the first time as well, national teams from all continents going to the knock-out phase, for the first time in history. This shows that football is really becoming truly global.”
Infantino expects the finals to conclude in a similarly entertaining manner.
“We hope that the FIFA World Cup continues and concludes as it has started – a fantastic success,” he said. “I am sure that we will reach the five billion viewers around the world.
“When it comes to stadium attendances, the stadiums are sold out, full practically at every match. The fan festivals, the different fan zones, are also very crowded with people celebrating and enjoying [themselves].
“And at the end [of the day], we simply want to give some joy and some smiles to people all over the world. That’s what football is about, that’s what the FIFA World Cup is about, and that’s what should also happen from now until the end.”
Xherdan Shaqiri expressed regret for Switzerland’s performance in their 6-1 defeat to Portugal, giving credit to their opponents while emphasizing that his team needed to improve.
Switzerland was humiliated by a Portugal team that started Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and was eliminated from the World Cup in the last-16.
Ronaldo was substituted by Goncalo Ramos, who scored one of the game’s two goals in the first half before completing a hat trick in a raging second half.
The only time Murat Yakin’s team managed to get back into the game was when Manuel Akanji bundled in from a corner to make it 4-1.
“We are all disappointed, the whole team,” Shaqiri said afterwards. “I just want to apologise to all the people in Switzerland, because we were not at our best today.
“We lost the game already in the first half against Portugal, who are a very good team. You saw the kind of goal they can score. With all respect, we have to do better.
“We have to learn from our mistakes, and if we are behind 2-0 against Portugal, it’s always very, very difficult to come back. We just were not at our best today, from everybody.”
Yakin had altered his tactics, beginning with a three-man defense, but he did not think this was the cause of his team’s difficulties.
“We had a clear plan, we have practised it, we also had test games, the team was familiar with the system,” the Switzerland coach said. “We tried to put pressure on using the flanks, but unfortunately it didn’t work.
“Ronaldo or not, our players are able to play in every position. Yes, our opponents got a good start in the game, we saw many things not work out for us. There’s nothing we could’ve done today.”
Shaqiri showed the breadth of skill Portugalhas available by not dwelling on Ronaldo’s exclusion.
“It’s the whole team,” he said. “You saw today: he was on the bench, and they scored a lot of goals, too. The quality is there from the whole team, and we saw this today.”
The winger added: “Portugal is for me a favourite and also was before the tournament. They have a good team, a quality team, and we will see in the end how far they’re going to go.
“You saw today, in the offensive, they are very good. They can go very far.”
Cristiano Ronaldo praised Portugal’s “historic” World Cup victory over Switzerland on social media.
Ronaldo, 37, came off the bench last night as the Selecao defeated the Swiss 6-1 to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup with Morocco.
After leaving Manchester United, the Portuguese superstar became a free agent, and he was the center of attention before the game.
But Goncalo Ramos, who took his spot in the starting lineup, made headlines with a hat-trick and an assist in the round-of-16 match.
Ronaldo, who had a goal disallowed for offside, said on Instagram: “Amazing day for Portugal, with a historic result in the biggest contest in world soccer.
“Luxury display by a team full of talent and youth.
“Congratulations to our national team. The dream is alive! To the very end! Come on, Portugal!”
At the age of 31, Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard, has announced his retirement from international competition.
Attacking midfielder or winger Hazard made his Belgium debut in 2008 at the age of 17, and went on to earn 126 caps while tallying 33 goals.
After Belgium was eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage, he made this decision.
“A page turns today,”said the Real Madrid player. “Thank you for your love [and] for your unparalleled support.”
He added on social media: “Thank you for all this happiness since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you.”
Hazard was a member of the team that advanced to the 2018 World Cup semifinals, losing 1-0 to France, then beat Englandto place third.
He entered the game as a substitute against Luxembourg to make his debut and become the eighth-youngest player for his nation. After that, he played in three World Cups, two European Championships, and led the team 56 times.
Hazard participated in each of Belgium’s three World Cup games in Qatar, although the team only managed one goal—in a 1-0 victory over Canada. They drew 0-0 with Croatia and lost 2-0 to Morocco.
Following their elimination, Belgium’s manager Roberto Martinez resigned on Thursday.
For an estimated £150 million, Hazard transferred from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2019. During his seven years at Stamford Bridge, he won the Europa League twice, the FA Cup once, the EFL Cup once, and the Premier League twice.
Injury setbacks have limited Hazard’s time in Spain, but since his arrival, Real Madrid has won two La Liga championships and the Champions League, even though Hazard was not used as a substitute in May’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the final.
He has played just six times for Carlo Ancelotti’s club so far this year.
Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo is expected to retain his position when the party elects its new batch of national executives on December 10, 2022.
This is because, Mr Opare Addo has provided a list of projects he will undertake if given the nod.
In total, the NDC is expected to benefit from 10 projects under the leadership of Mr Opare Addo.
Mr Opare Addo among other things, wants to provide quarterly fuel allowances for constituency Youth Organizer, set up financing for Youth Wing Members running for District Assembly elections, operationalize the Youth Wing command center with digital infrastructure for volunteers for operation 24/7.
The fourth and fifth items on his to-do-list are to reassemble a National Youth Operation wing ahead of the 2024 elections and provide Megaphones and information packed flash drives for each constituency youth organizer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The remaining projects to be executed under the leadership of Mr Opare Addo are “print T-shirts and other Paraphernalia for constituency youth organizers; provide a motorbike for each youth organizer and the deputy to increase grassroots mobilization by December 2023; provide cars to deputy regional youth organizers and regional youth organizers without functioning cars; provide a National TEIN Coordinators Vehicle under the auspices of the TEIN secretariat and establish the “Support The Youth Fund” with seed money for constituency Youth organizers.”
The main opposition party will in some two days hold its National Delegates Congress, in Cape Coast.
Nine positions are up for grabs but the aspirants–nine times the number of portfolios available–will slug it out on December 17, in Accra.
The positions available for grab are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Organiser, Communication Officer, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Zongo Caucus Coordinator and National Executive Committee members.
One of the talked about portfolios is the Youth Organiser. This is because the heart of the Party lies with the youth and the Youth Organiser is responsible for organising the youth wing of the party.
Mr Opare Addo will be going up against the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi, his closest contender, whom he beat, during the 2018 National Delegates Congress.
The competition to score the most goals during the World Cup is definitely in full swing.
The eight teams who are still in the running will be aiming to win the renowned Jules Rimet trophy, but individuals can make history by taking home the Golden Boot.
We examine the contenders for Qatar 2022’s most effective shooter ahead of the quarterfinals, with one star out in front and a sizable group of others trailing behind.
Kylian Mbappe (France) — Five goals, two assists
Kylian Mbappe, a sensation in France, is unquestionably in the lead heading into the final eight after scoring five goals in his first four games.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has been in incredible form, scoring the opening goal for Les Blues against Australia before registering a spectacular match-winning double to defeat Denmark in the group stage.
In their round of 16 match against Poland, the 23-year-old struck again, scoring their opening goal before skillfully curling in his fifth of the year late in the game.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) — Three goals, one assist
Lionel Messi has spearheaded Argentina’s charge to win a first World Cup since 1986
Lionel Messi’s hopes of finally delivering a World Cup triumph are still alive and no Argentina player has done more than the diminutive magician to help them get to this stage.
The 35-year-old got off the mark from the spot only 10 minutes into his first game at the 2022 showpiece, though that match ultimately ended in a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
With La Albiceleste facing a disastrous early exit, Messi struck home a crucial effort from distance against Mexico on their way to a 2-0 win.
Having reached the last 16 by beating Poland by the same scoreline, their talisman came to the fore yet again as his delightful finish broke the deadlock in a 2-1 victory over a resolute Australia side.
Goncalo Ramos (Portugal) — Three goals, one assist
Goncalo Ramos netted a superb hat-trick for Portugal in his first World Cup start
Not many expected 21-year-old striker Goncalo Ramos to feature in Portugal’s last-16 clash with Switzerland, but he grasped his opportunity in blistering style.
An extraordinary performance saw the youngster beat Yann Sommer at his near post with a vicious strike after 17 minutes before two further finishes made him the first hat-trick scorer of Qatar 2022.
Having also provided the assist for Raphael Guerreiro, Ramos now finds himself second alongside Messi in the scoring charts.
Marcus Rashford (England) — Three goals
Marcus Rashford scored an exceptional free-kick for England against Wales
Leading a group of five players tied on three goals still in contention to surpass Mbappe’s tally, England forward Marcus Rashford is next on this list thanks to his superior ratio of 2.05 strikes per 90 minutes.
The Manchester United attacker only recently won back his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad after a difficult period since his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
He netted just minutes into his international return against Iran before playing a starring role from the start against Wales with two goals — the first an excellent free-kick past Danny Ward.
Bukayo Saka (England) — Three goals
Bukayo Saka nets England’s third goal against Senegal in the last 16
Rashford’s Three Lions team-mate Bukayo Saka also has a trio of goals to his name, after dinking a neat finish in England’s 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal.
The Arsenal starlet, 21, is a key component of Southgate’s side and made himself an early contender for the prize with a lovely brace in his World Cup debut against Iran.
If Saka is selected for the quarter-final clash with France, he will be a key man for Didier Deschamps’ world champions to watch out for.
Olivier Giroud (France) — Three goals
Olivier Giroud has become France’s all-time top scorer at Qatar
There is every chance Olivier Giroud would have barely kicked a ball for France had Karim Benzema been fit for this World Cup.
Now Les Blues’ all-time top scorer with 52 goals, it would be foolish to discount the 36-year-old centre forward out of the race at this stage.
A brace against Australia was followed by an important opener in the last-16 encounter with Poland and now the former Arsenal and Chelsea man will hope to end England’s run in Qatar.
Richarlison (Brazil) — Three goals
Tottenham striker Richarlison finished off a delightful Brazil team goal against South Korea
Brazil outlined their credentials to go all the way with a superb 4-1 win over South Korea in the last 16, with Tottenham striker Richarlison finishing off a fine team move to score arguably the pick of the bunch.
The Selecao No9 can also lay claim to another contender for goal of the tournament with an exceptional touch and scissor-kick effort in the South American’s opener against Serbia.
Having netted both of Brazil’s goals in the 2-0 win that night, he is likely to stay in the Golden Boot conversation as the tournament favourites target their first World Cup title in 20 years.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) — Three goals
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo’s transfer value keeps rising with his World Cup displays
PSV Eindhoven ace Cody Gakpo was already one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards before the World Cup — and his performances for the Netherlands have shown exactly why that is.
The 23-year-old nodded home six minutes from time to help the Oranje overcome Senegal in their opener, before netting against both Ecuador and Qatar in an impressive group-stage showing.
Interest from the likes of Manchester United will only hot up if he can inspire his country past Argentina into the semi-finals.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has clarified that the 2023 budget statement and economic policy has not been approved by Parliament as reported.
On Tuesday, it was widely reportedly by media houses that Parliament has approved the budget statement.
According to Mr Ablakwa, Parliament has just concluded its debate and approval of the policy.
Parliament is however yet to approve the specific budgetary allocations to the ministries, which is the second stage of the Budget approval process, he noted in a Facebook post.
The final stage is the approval of the Appropriation Bill which is an itemized sum of all approved estimates by the House based on which government can spend in the ensuing year.
Some Ghanaians have criticised the Minority in Parliament for contributing to the alleged approval of the budget.
Reacting to this, Mr Ablakwa stated that “Ghanaians did not give the NDC a parliamentary majority, neither is it an NDC President destroying our economy and introducing bitter policies to further impoverish the citizenry.”
Nonetheless, he assured that they shall discharge their duties with “utmost integrity, good conscience, respect and solidarity with the suffering Ghanaians we represent.”
The Minority in Parliament has threatened to reject the GH10 million budget allocation to Defence Advisory Services under the Ministry of Defense.
Also, they have questioned why the allocation to the Contingency Vote has increased by over GH400 million from GH999 million to GH1.4 billion.
Some items in the 2023 budget presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, include a reduction in the Electronic Transaction Levy also known as E-levy -from 1.5% to 1%. The GH100 daily threshold has also be removed.
However, the Minority has registered strong disapproval with the tax measures government is introducing.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, argues that in an economy deemed to be in crisis, the e-levy should be at a rate of 0.5%. According to the minority, they disagree with an increase in VAT.
Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to adjourn its third sitting on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
Virgil van Dijk asserts that Lionel Messi will pose a threat to the Netherlands even when he is “chilling” and that the Dutch must have a “good plan” to deal with Argentina’s great player.
In a match with a long World Cup history, the Dutch and La Albiceleste will renew their hostilities on Friday in Qatar.
The Netherlands fell to Argentina in the 1978 championship game, but Louis van Gaal will get the chance to exact retribution because he was in command when his team lost to Messiand co. on penalties in the semifinals eight years ago.
When Liverpool overcame Barcelona in the 2018–19 Champions League semifinals, Van Dijk faced off against Messi, who has already scored three goals in Qatar, including one in the 2-1 last-16 victory over Australia.
So, naturally, he knows the Paris Saint-Germain star and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is a player you can never take your eyes off.
“The difficult thing about him is when we are attacking, he is chilling somewhere in a corner or something,” Van Dijk said.
“You have to be so very sharp in terms of defensive organisation. They always looked for him to try to make it difficult for us on the counter.
“It is an honour to play against him. It is not me against him, or the Netherlands against him, but the Netherlands against Argentina.
“No one can do it on his own, we will have to come up with a good plan.”
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) on Tuesday, December 6, received the World Lottery Association (WLA) President, Madam Rebecca Paul and General Secretary Lynne Roiter, who would be gracing the Authority’s 60th anniversary celebration.
The grand durbar of the NLA’s 60th Anniversary is scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2022, at 4pm at the NLA Head Office in Accra.
The two personalities are making their first appearance in Ghana courtesy the NLA, being headed by Director-General, Sammi Awuku.
Madam Rebecca Paul is the first woman to be elected for the coveted Position of President for the World Lottery Association. She was re-elected WLA Boss in Vancouver, October this year for another term.
Madam Rebecca Paul has also been instrumental in leading many reforms and championing good causes across the various lottery bodies.
Together with the experienced General Secretary, Mad. Lynne Roiter and other Top Executives of the World Lottery Body will also be participating in the Seminar on Responsible Gaming, being organized by the African Lotteries Association (ALA) and hosted by the National Lottery Authority of Ghana.
The event itself will bring together about 15 African Countries , Director Generals and several Experts in the Lottery industry across the Globe.
The Responsible Gaming Seminar is a major event on the ALA calendar and will be graced by the President of the World Lottery Body.
The African Lotteries President, Mr. Dramane Coulibaly from Ivory Coast and Younnes El- Mechrafi General Secretary of ALA and Vice President of the WLA will also be present .
The entire delegation will also join President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Ministers of State, CEOs, Members of Parliament at the grand durbar of the NLA.
The President will also serve in the capacity of Special Guest of Honour.
In the final round of 16 match, Goncalo Ramos scored a sensational hat-trick to secure Portugal‘s place in the World Cup quarterfinals as Switzerland was trounced 6-1.
The 21-year-old striker for Benfica only recently made his debut for his country in November, but he took advantage of the chance presented by his unexpected call-up to score the first triple-goal haul at Qatar2022.
Morocco, who earlier in the day defeated Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout, will be the Portuguese’s next opponent.
Spain struggled to score any of their three penalty kicks after extra time had failed to yield a goal, but Morocco scored three out of four to earn the victory.
Netherlands kicked off the knockout phase, cruising to a 3-1 victory over the United States.
Louis van Gaal’s men will face Argentina in Friday’s late game after Lionel Messi inspired the South Americans to a 2-1 win over Australia.
Olivier Giroud became France’s all-time top scorer as they overcame Poland 3-1, while England saw off Senegal 3-0 following some hairy moments in the first half to set up a clash with Les Bleus on Saturday.
Croatia booked their place in the last eight with a penalty shootout win over Japan, following a 1-1 draw.
Their reward is a quarter-final clash with Brazil, who looked majestic as they swept South Korea aside 4-1.
Qatar 2022 round of 16 results
Saturday, December 3
Netherlands 3-1 United States (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Argentina 2-1 Australia (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Sunday, December 4
France 3-1 Poland (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha)
England 3-0 Senegal (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)
Monday, December 5
Japan 1-1 Croatia (Croatia won 3-1 on penalties, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)
Brazil 4-1 South Korea (Stadium 974, Doha)
Tuesday, December 6
Morocco 0-0 Spain (Morocco won 3-0 on penalties, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Portugal 6-1 Switzerland (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)
Quarter-final draw
Friday, December 9
Croatia vs Brazil (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, 3pm, BBC)
Netherlands vs Argentina (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail,7pm, BBC)
Saturday, December 10
Morocco vs Portugal (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, 3pm, ITV1)
England vs France (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, 7pm, ITV1)
Semi-finals: Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14
Cynthia Makafui Abla Baragbor has once again proven that Francisca Lamini’s achievement was not by luck but by hardwork and perseverance.
Ketasco has once again provided a female student who has completed her secondary education with flying colours.
Speaking withGhanaWeb through her brother Jerome Chris Mawuli, the 18-year-old who was born on November 2, 2004, said that beyond her love for science and mathematics, she loves to dance and sing.
She told the media that with little effort by just doing what she loves and putting her mind into everything she does, she started experiencing a life of many firsts.
She started her education at the Holy Star International Academy in Aflao and later moved to the Aflao Border Basic School in 2015.
“I was admitted into class six and I assumed the first position in my first year in the school which was so overwhelming because we were over 100 students then.
“In my second-year exams, I came up second and was appointed by the head of the school to be the Office Girl,” she said.
Cynthia also explained that she became interested in a number of activities while in school, one of which was a literary competition she took part in.
She spoke about how well the competition organised by the current Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, went for her.
“I took part in numberless competitions and the renowned one was the Write Away Contest which was organized by Hon. Dzifa Gomashie. I specifically took part in the 2nd edition of the competition which was in 3 stages. Amazingly, I qualified for all three stages, however, the final results were not released due to an undisclosed reason.
“With my final year exams into JHS 3, I fabulously assumed the first position with over 150 students in the class and I was presented with the Certificate of Excellence by the headmaster, Mr Attipoe Emmanuel Yao, for displaying excellent performance in academics,” she added.
She left the school as Girls Prefect, a position she occupied due to what she described as her “impressive results and hard work.”
Cynthia went on from there to excel in her BECE and then gained admission to the Keta Senior High School where hard work and determination got her to be selected to join the school’s National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) team.
She, however, was unable to join the team on the stage although her contributions greatly added to the success of the school.
“I was selected into the Ketasco NSMQ team through hard work and diligence. Unfortunately, I was not on stage.
“…I won the overall best female science student at the 69th-anniversary celebration of the school,” she added.
Determined to pursue medicine, Cynthia’s dreams seem to be hanging in the balance due to financial constraints although she has been able to score a perfect result in her WASSCE. She is the last child and only girl among three siblings born to a father who is a farmer and a mother who is a trader.
In the words of Jerome, her elder brother, the family needs support to help her get a scholarship to study medicine at a university abroad, but that notwithstanding, they have taken initial steps to purchase admission forms for the University of Ghana (UG) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Cynthia stated that without the help of her teachers and her other mates, she could not have achieved this much.
Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has been tipped to retain his position when the party elects its new batch of national executives on December 11, 2022.
In some two days, the main opposition party, NDC will hold its National Delegates Congress, in Cape Coast.
Nine positions are up for grabs but the aspirants–nine times the number of portfolios available–will slug it out.
The positions available for grab are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Organiser, Communication Officer, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Zongo Caucus Coordinator and National Executive Committee members.
One of the talked about portfolios is the Youth Organiser. This is because the heart of the Party lies with the youth and the Youth Organiser is responsible for organising the youth wing of the party.
In his bid for the re-election, he has released a set of projects and policies he intends to roll out when given the nod.
The projects outlined by the Youth Organizer dubbed 2022 and beyond include;
Provide quarterly fuel allowances for constituency Youth Organizer.
Set up financing for Youth Wing Members running for District Assembly elections.
Operationalize the Youth Wing command center with digital infrastructure for volunteers for operation 24/7.
Reassemble a National Youth Operation wing ahead of the 2024 elections.
Provide Megaphones and information packed flash drives for each constituency youth organizer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Print T-shirts and other Paraphernalia for constituency youth organizers.
Provide a motorbike for each youth organizer and the deputy to increase grassroots mobilization by December 2023.
Provide cars to deputy regional youth organizers and regional youth organizers without functioning cars.
Provide a National TEIN Coordinators Vehicle under the auspices of the TEIN secretariat
Establish the “Support The Youth Fund” with seed money for constituency Youth organizers.
Mr Opare Addo will be going up against the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi, his closest contender during the 2018 National Delegates Congress.
He polled 523 votes to beat Brogya Genfi, who got 396 votes.
Among the two candidates, the current Youth Organiser is considered the favorite.
His good works have been identified by many including the Coordinator of the Tertiary Educational Institutions Network (TEIN) of the NDC in the Savannah Region, Jacob Nwaangu Gbelinyari.
He described Opare Addo as “humble, respectful, accommodating” and above all “one who is very committed to the NDC and his assigned duties.”
Since 2018, when he assumed office, Mr Opare Addo has worked to maintain the party’s good reputation.
In 2020, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) blamed the NDC for the fire outbreaks that happened in the country’s capital.
The NDC Youth Organiser, stood his ground, arguing that that NDC has no intention to burn market facilities which were constructed when they were in power.
He shepherded a protest at Odumase Krobo in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, where the NDC youth called on government to find the root cause of the fire outbreaks.
In the same year, with “Our Heritage”, the Youth Organiser started a social media promotion of elite NDC members, reminding Ghanaians that the biggest opposition party has the men to work.
Mr Opare Addo has also charged the party to be critical of government activities, which he believes will not augur well for the country’s development.
The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, as well as macro economic variables such as unemployment have been of major concern to him.
Also, he opposed the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy, also known as E-levy, which is to widen the tax net of the government.
Holding the assertion that the E-levy would exacerbate the worsening economic conditions of citizens, he led the “Yentua Demonstration” which took place in February this year.
Mr Opare Addo is currently seeking a possible amendment of the party’s constitution, an undertaking many grassroots are pleased with.
The current state of the constitution prevents Constituency Executives from voting at Regional Conference and main National Delegates Congress.
A proposal by a committee from the Youth Wing under his leadership, if approved, will allow all other youth representatives to become fully-fledged Constituency Executives; making them eligible to vote.
It is reported that the youth wing of the party are pleased by his work, therefore, are willing to provide him a second term to guide the opposition party to victory in the 2024 general elections.
Already, Mr Opare Addo has stressed that the NDC will leave no stone unturned to ensure victory is theirs in order alleviate Ghanaians from their current challenges.
“The NDC will win the 2024 Presidential Elections & the Youth wing under my leadership will stop at nothing to make it happen. We are the NDC Youth Wing. We are the Green Army. We are Power Ready and We are Power Hungry,” he tweeted on October 2, 2022.
FIFA has rejected France’s appeal about the disqualification of Antoine Griezmann’s goal in the shocking 1-0 World Cup loss to Tunisia last week.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time at Education City Stadium, Griezmann volleyed home, believing he had neutralized Wahbi Khazri’s goal.
Griezmann’s goal was disallowed by referee Michael Conger for an offside violation after the cheers subsided and the game reached its conclusion.
A Tunisia defender assisted Aurelien Tchouameni’s ball into the path of the Atletico Madrid forward, who was deemed to have been offside when he fired in.
However, the French Football Federation (FFF) believed that the goal should have been allowed because play had temporarily resumed when VAR intervened, which is against the rules.
“We are writing a complaint after Antoine Griezmann’s goal was, in our opinion, wrongly disallowed,” the FFF said last Wednesday.
The result would have changed to 1-1 if France had been successful in their appeal, but the group D standings would not have changed.
FIFA stated in a statement on Monday that they will not be looking into the situation any further.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dismissed the protest submitted by the French Football Association in relation to the Tunisia v France match,” the statement read.
Khazri’s superb strike ended reigning world champions France’s nine-game unbeaten run in the competition stretching back to the 2014 quarter-finals.
Les Blues went on to beat Poland 3-1 in Sunday’s last-16 tie and will now face England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Before England’s match against France, Bukayo Saka rejected comparisons between his performance at the 2022 World Cup and Kylian Mbappe’s breakout campaign four years prior.
In Sunday’s last-16 match, England overcame a shaky beginning to defeat Senegal 3-0, setting up a heavyweight quarterfinal matchup with Les Bleus. Saka scored his third World Cup goal as England advanced.
The next time England plays, Saka would be expected to help limit Mbappe after the Paris Saint-Germain star moved onto five goals for the tournament in his side’s 3-1 victory over Poland. Saka started three of England’s four games in Qatar from the right.
Saka does not want to contrast his own rookie season with that of the Frenchman, Kylian Mbappe, who became just the second youngster to score in a World Cup final in 2018 after Pele.
Asked whether he could follow in Mbappe’s footsteps by being named young player of the tournament, Saka said: “Thank you for the compliment, but there’s only one Kylian Mbappe.
“At the same time, there’s only one of me. I just want to be myself and help my team in the best way I can.
“There are many young players in this tournament, I can name so many.
“Even in our team, alongside me there’s another young player doing unbelievably well in Jude Bellingham. I’m just happy that we’re all here and doing well.
“The priority is to try to win the tournament, rather than to be the player of the tournament or young player of the tournament.”
Asked about Bellingham’s displays in the England midfield, Saka added: “He’s a special player. I don’t really know the words to describe him.
“I just hope he can continue to keep progressing because, for sure, he has a massive, massive future.”
Saka’s previous major tournament campaign ended with him missing the decisive penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, but the Arsenal winger believes his World Cup displays have gone some way to helping him banish that memory.
“Personally, I feel like I’ve tried to move on from that moment,” Saka said. “I know I can never really forget about it, it’s going to be history, but at the same time, coming out here and scoring those three goals has lifted me a lot.
“And of course, the love from the fans that I keep receiving lifts me a lot as well. It gives me a lot of confidence and I love to see it.”
With the prospect of taking part in another penalty shoot-out if the France match is a tight one, Saka insisted he would have no qualms about stepping up once again.
“I have matured and progressed a lot since that moment – I wouldn’t have stepped up the number of times I have for Arsenal if I was not confident,” he said.
“If the moment comes and I am selected to take it, I will be more than happy to.”
Government’s decision to eliminate the daily limit on electronic money transactions that will be subject to the Electronic Transfer Levy(E-Levy) has been opposed by the National Communications Officer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Sylvester Sarpong.
The Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), which is currently imposed at a rate of 1.5%, will be reduced to 1.0 percent, according to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who also noted that the GH100 threshold would not applicable with the new rate.
Reacting to this, Sylvester Sarpong, popularly known as Soprano questioned the rationale behind the removal of the threshold.
He argued that the creation of the threshold sought to protect the poor in society, per comments by government officials, hence its removal implies that the poor no longer exist in the country.
“We are asking them (the government) to bring the E-Levy rate to 0.5 (percent) so that Ghanaians can support it. We also want to ask whether we no longer have poor people in this country. I am talking to Queen Ursula of Dansoman.
“Honourable Queen Ursula of Dansoman previously stated that people who are able to spend GH¢100 in Ghana are not poor and that those who spend less are poor people. So, I’m asking Queen Ursula whether every Ghanaian is now rich for the government to remove the breathing space it gave on the E-Levy,” he said in the local parlance.
The Minister for Communication and Digitalisaion, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, prior to the approval of the E-levy Bill explained that anyone who has more than GH¢100 on them in a day for transactions should not be considered poor and should pay taxes on their digital transactions.
“We have made it a part of this policy that up to a GH¢100 a day per a person is exempt. This, the state is saying, if you’re sending up to a GH¢100 a day, cumulatively, you can send up to GH¢3000 a month, that is all going to be tax-free.
“Now, if you have more than a GH¢100 to send a day, then you’re not poor. So, if you really are poor and you are in a position to send GH¢100 a day, then we need to re-classify the definition of who the real beneficiaries of these are, and it is only the sender who pays, not the receiver,” she clarified.
The Ministry of Finance has provided to Parliament the activities undertaken by the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA), Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA) and Northern Development Authority (NDA) in 2022.
In the 2023 budget statement, the Authority had targeted to construct 299 water systems and 72 toilet facilities.
CoDA failed to meet at least half of its target after completing just 27 water systems and 8 toilet facilities. According to the Finance Ministry, the remaining 64 toilet facilities are at various stages of completion.
Meanwhile, the Authority has CoDA completed 7 market projects, 4 lorry parks, and 6 health facilities which include 2 wards and 4 CHPS compounds with 62 at various stages of completion.
Other completed projects include 43 drains, 12 roads, 6 bridges, 18No. classroom blocks, 3no. libraries, 3No. teachers’ quarters, 1No. dormitory block, 8No. Astro turfs, 11No. social infrastructure projects (consisting of Asomdwe Park, 4 durbar grounds, and 6 community centres).
With regards to Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA), the Finance Ministry indicated that the Authority completed 610 projects which include 44 drains, 37 culverts, 16 bridges, 58 football parks, 12 police posts, 154 schools, 8 clinics, 17 ICT centreS/libraries, 104 boreholes, 66 institutional toilets, and 58 markets.
These projects are located in five regions, namely; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern Regions.
Still on Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), the Finance Ministry revealed that the Northern Development Authority (NDA) completed 225 projects across various sectors in the North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
Meanwhile, the three Development Authorities are expected to continue to execute the existing programmes and projects in line with their mandate.
A whopping amount of GH419,079,716.75 was spent by the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat for foreign scholarships awarded.
The Secretariat awarded foreign scholarships to 1,797 students.
Per the 2023 budget statement presented to Parliament by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, more than half the amount, GH¢340,301,673.50, was used to cover tuition fees for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Also, GH¢78,774,043.25 was paid as stipends for the first half of the year for all donor sponsored and some Government of Ghana sponsored students.
Under the District Level Decentralisation Scheme (DLDS), the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat made payment of tuition fees for continuing students in public universities with renewed scholarship awards, as well as fresh beneficiaries for the 2021/2022 academic year.
The Finance Ministry did not disclose the amount spent on local scholarships by the Secretariat.
However, the ministry disclosed that a total of 8,174 students benefited from the local scholarships.
In November this year, the Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, stated that a total of GH₵50 million has been released to the Controller and Accountant General Department to pay scholarships.
He made this known to a delegation from the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), led by its president, Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, paid a courtesy call on the Secretariat at the end of October.
Coach Luis Enrique of Spain is choosing not to dwell on the shortcomings of his team’s defeat to Japan and is instead emphasizing how brilliantly La Roja performed throughout their World Cup group stage matches.
Japan defeated Spain 2-1 on Thursday to win Group E, sending Germany home early and securing a matchup with Croatia in the round of 16.
In comparison to Japan’s 228 passes, Spain attempted 1,058 passes, had 82.3% of the possession, and had 12 shots—five of which found the target.
However, Japan’s six attempts totaled out to a combined anticipated goals (xG) of 1.45, with Ritsu Doan and Junya Ito scoring in the span of three second-half minutes, compared to Spain’s 1.04 total.
If media allegations in Spain are to be accepted, Luis Enrique, a former coach of Barcelona, may not remain in charge of Spain after the World Cup, but he is fully confident in his strategy going into Tuesday’s match with Morocco.
“We are talking about 270 minutes if I’m not wrong, plus added time [in the group stage],” Luis Enrique said in a press conference when he was asked if his team failed to recover from setbacks during matches.
“Out of 300 minutes in total, you focus on 10 minutes that you didn’t like. As far as we progress, you will see more of these minutes.
“We are footballers and the opponents also play. There are things to be improved, and I’m sure we will be bitten by Morocco in some moments of the game.
“We can’t take blows? What about them? Did Germany take it well when we scored? We are in a competition where the score dictates the risk you are willing to take.
“Other teams pull back but we keep attacking and of course we need to improve that.”
Asked if his team lacked the experience required to see out spells of pressure, Luis Enrique replied: “It’s such a cliche, we have to try and get rid of this idea.
“I don’t believe they lacked experience. Experience in what? Being builders, carpenters? When you lose, people talk about issues and if you win, they don’t.
“I don’t share this analysis. This team will be recognised by the way we play, analyse our matches, our philosophy but not these sorts of issues.
“Mistakes happen, we are talking about a very complex, unfair sport, 11 players on a huge field, it’s impossible to control all the aspects.
“At the end of the day the ones making the decisions are the players, I want them to implement my idea and I want them to buy the whole package when they lose, it’s not fair to only buy it when we win.”
Spain have only made it beyond the round of 16 once at the last four World Cups, when they went on to win the trophy in South Africa in 2010. This record, though, is of no concern to Luis Enrique.
“This is not our usual trend, to look at everything from a negative perspective,” he said.
“I am not concerned about those results. I want to control the things I can control as a coach. I want my team to play in a certain way, I want my players to forget about the result.
“Football is not fair but if you have more merit you usually win the game. I am convinced we will have more merit than Morocco. Our objective was to play seven games, so we want to play seven games.”
This figure is as of September 2022, according to the Ministry of Finance in the 2023 budget statement presented to Parliament.
The target population was 18.21 million. In 2023, the government estimates that enrollment onto the scheme will increase to 20.30 million.
As it stands now, Ghana has a population of over 31 million people.
According to the ministry, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) improved claims management processes following the introduction of the e-claims and paperless systems.
The Authority is considering a revision of tariffs to allow coverage of childhood cancers and long-term family planning services.
Meanwhile, Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, Yaa-Naa Abukari II has been designated as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) worthy Ambassador.
The title was conferred on the Yaa-Naa at a colorful ceremony at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi when a high powered delegation from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) led by the Chief Executive, Hon. Bernard Okoe-Boye paid a courtesy call on the Dagbon Overlord.
Following a thrilling conclusion that saw England defeat Pakistan by a score of 74 runs in the first Test between the two nations, Ben Stokes reaffirmed that his team has little interest in drawing games.
An aggressive showing with bat and ball paid off as Jack Leach dismissed Naseem Shah on the penultimate day of the tourists’ first red-ball visit to the nation since 2005.
The strategic decision-making of Stokes and captain Brendon McCullum on a flat field produced a Test match with the third-highest total of runs in history and an early declaration that set up an exciting final day.
“We’ve no interest in drawing,” he stated. “On pitches like this, you have to make things happen, [you have to] make some bold decisions. We had to entice the batters to play a shot at times.
“I think it’s maybe up there with England’s greatest away wins. The toil everyone has put in is hitting. We’ve done something very special this week.
As England raced to claim their final wickets in Rawalpindi before the light faded, it was reminiscent of their famous success in Karachi in 2000, the last time they had triumphed in red-ball cricket in Pakistan.
The tourists’ ability to come together in the wake of a virus outbreak that raised doubts about whether the Test would actually go as planned makes the accomplishment all the more remarkable.
“There’s a few things you can plan for, which is the way we want to approach Test cricket,” Stokes added. “But what you can’t plan for is what happened to the squad a few days before. That seems a long time ago.
“I want to give our group of players a lot of credit for coming here and turning up, a little bit under the weather. Will Jacks got the nod to make his debut about three minutes before team-time,
“You can go through this whole Test match and pick out key individuals. I think with what we’ve had to deal with coming into this Test match makes this win feel a little bit better.”
Opposite number Babar Azam was left to rue missed opportunities for his side, Pakistan having entered the final session needing only 86 to win with five wickets in hand after tea.
“We were not up to the mark,” he added, “We had a golden chance to win this Test, but session by session we lost wickets. All credit to our bowlers, it was difficult.
“We had our opportunity but we couldn’t get partnerships in the end. We have a lot of positives, so we will try to continue that in the next match.”
Due to a knee injury, Liam Livingstone is no longer able to participate in England’s tour of Pakistan.
In the first match in Rawalpindi, the all-rounder, who was playing in his first Test, hit nine runs off of 10 balls in the first innings as the visitors amassed 657.
Livingstone injured his knee on day two when fielding by the boundary. He hasn’t participated in any fielding activities since, but he did return to contribute seven unbeaten runs in England‘s second innings.
Following a scan on Sunday, it was agreed that the 29-year-old would leave for home to start therapy.
Rehan Ahmed, a young leg-spinning all-rounder, and fast bowler Mark Wood are two potential choices among those already in the squad, though England has not yet decided whether to bring up a replacement.
On Friday, the second Test in Multan gets underway.
Get well soon, liaml4893.
The all-rounder has been ruled out of the rest of our Test series in Pakistan.
The Minority in Parliament has indicated that it will not accept government’s proposed debt restructuring programme as announced.
Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, relayed the Minority’s position during a press conference held today, Monday, December 5, 2022.
Below is a press statement from the Minority
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press.
We welcome you all to this press encounter, prompted by some very disturbing and urgent developments on the economy. Our economy is indeed in crisis.
As is now trite knowledge, the Ghanaian economy has been terribly mismanaged in the last five to six years by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration leading to our request for a 17th IMF program to renew confidence and policy credibility on our failing economy despite haughty initial denials.
The severely ailing economy has been characterized by unsustainable debt, very high inflation, unprecedented and disastrous depreciation of the cedi, high budget deficits and unprecedented credit rating downgrades.
The economic situation is so bad that we are currently ranked side by side with Sri Lanka, which is considered the worst economy in the world and has defaulted on its debt.
Our public debt hovers above the GHS 500 billion mark with a corresponding debt to GDP ratio of about 105% having inherited a total public debt of GHC120billion in 2017.
Inflation for the month of October is 40.4% and is destined to rise for the month of November. The cedi has lost 54% of its value in the last ten months alone.
The combined effect of these grim macro-economic indices has been devastation and disappointment for Ghanaians and households.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING
The Minister of Finance Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta has just this morning announced “Major Policy” blue prints on government’s debt restructuring on domestic debt restructuring promising to announce for extension for debt restructuring in due course.
To put our unsustainable debt on the right path, we were told categorically by the President of the nation, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo- Addo “THERE WILL NO BE HAIRCUT”, at least we now know there is.
The form and structure of this debt restructuring is unacceptable to the NDC Minority, we simply cannot agree to this as it has dire consequences on the financial sector, on pension funds and on jobs. We are all at risk.
According to Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s DEBT is UNSUSTAINABLE and we cannot SERVICE it FULLY if we do not restructure some GHC 137 billion of our Domestic debt.
Ghana is the first country in Africa to announce domestic debt restructuring or as they put it domestic debt exchange!
We have OFFICIALLY DEFAULTED in the repayment of the terms of our existing Domestic debt.
Ghana joins Greece and Jamaica in the last 10years.
The NDC MINORITY has been consistent on this matter, we cautioned and warned the government about engaging in reckless borrowing and expending it wastefully! How come contours of this exchange program was not announced in Parliament during the 2023 budget presented on 24th November 2022. Will it require legislation? How come that a major policy step of this dimension was not part of his presentation to Parliament?
While we agree that Government is still negotiating the potential and inevitable IMF Program, it is necessary that conclusive Government plans be brought to the House for approval.
This is consistent with the Constitution:
(a) The terms and conditions of an IMF Program support constitute a loan and finance agreement under the Constitution;
(b) As implied, any other debt restructuring exercise constitutes a variation of the terms and conditions of past loans authorized by the House;
(c) All loans to support the Budget and Appropriation Act approved by the House, to finance Projects and Programs; and
(d) The House needs to know the socio-economic impact of any loan and program agreements, to the extent that these are not appropriately and specifically espoused in the economic policy section of the Budget.
It is now obvious that BoG is heavily financing the Budget, in open defiance of existing laws and policy approvals by the House.
I wish to reiterate my call on the Governor to desist from flouting the laws and for him to appear before the House to explain the form and implications of the Central Banks monetary and, not least, its aggressive and defiant fiscal stance.
The government is simply breaking contracts according to the plans revealed by the Finance Minister this morning. This development will deter investors, without first informing and consulting them. The best way to manage a crisis is to anticipate it, to reduce its impact, or at best to prevent it from happening.
We have been thrust into the worst cost of living and cost of doing business crisis in recent memory and horrendous suffering and pain have been the portion of Ghanaians.
And to be clear, the suffering we are all going through is a direct consequence of recklessness and mismanagement on the part of this government and their appetite for excessive borrowing
It was the expectation of many that the crisis we face would elicit the most urgent and far-reaching steps by government to ensure a reversal of our dismal fortunes.
We had hoped that the opportunity of the presentation of the 2023 budget would seized to show real commitment to proposing and implementing economic policies and measures that will mitigate the suffering.
Instead, we have observed with dismay, a shocking lack of urgency and commitment to tackling the crisis.
To begin with, the Budget was completely devoid of any convincing plan to get us out of the economic mess and turmoil.
The same “business as usual” posture that landed us here in the first place is on display. The Budget to offer comfort to anyone that we will be out of the woods in the short to medium term provided no evidence.
In addition to the lack of convincing proposals, we have been utterly shocked at the show of disrespect and disinterest in the Budget process by the very government that presented it.
We have been left dumbfounded as Cabinet Ministers who double as MPs and who form part of the government that has superintended over the greatest economic crisis of our time abandoned the important Budget debate and approval process only to be seen in Qatar making merry and taking selfies during the world cup.
Never in our history has a government exhibited such poor judgement and they have by this singular act placed beyond any doubt, that they have no respect for the people of Ghana, or the mandate bestowed on them to govern.
We are particularly stunned that President Akufo-Addo allowed this to happen.
EXPENDITURE CUTS
We expect major expenditure cuts to achieve fiscal consolidation. The size of Government must be reduced drastically. We demand responsible spending.
We will not accept the outrageous GHC1.4billion allocation as contingency vote contained at page 209 of the 2023 Budget statement. We note that, this allocation is an additional GHC400million compared with last year’s allocation of GHC993million. This cannot be happening in a period of austerity.
We are also opposed to an allocation of GHS10 million for what has been strangely described as Defense Advisory Services. We also strongly denounce plans to increase the staff strength at the Office of Government Machinery by a staggering 1,570 at Page 230 of the 2023 Budget. This will increase total staff strength at the OGM to 3,681. This is unconscionable at a time Government has announced a total freeze in public sector jobs.
If ever there was proof that this government has lost its way and shown itself unworthy of the trust of the people of Ghana, this would be it.
We in the Minority wish to make it very clear, that if we do not see significant improvement in the attitude of the Majority side and sector Ministers do not turn up to lead the Budget process on their sectors, we will withdraw from the Budget process.
We will no longer countenance this embarrassing gross dereliction of duty to the people of Ghana.
On the Budget itself, we note that far from offering hope and assurance of a quick turn-around in our gloomy economic situation, it is packed with measures that will exacerbate the suffering we are already enduring.
We also note that no lesson has been learnt on how reckless and unrestrained expenditure have undermined the Ghanaian economy.
The 2023 Budget continues on the same spending trajectory that has led to our collective economic doom.
Instead of cutting down on non-essential expenditure, we have rather seen an increase with additional spending of up to GHS 82 billion. Some of the envisaged expenditure items are entirely wasteful and needless.
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL 80 MILLION GHANA CEDIS
Despite huge public outcry and in defiance of prudence, another GHS 80 million has been earmarked for the National Cathedral, which does not constitute a spending priority at this time.
This will bring the total amount spent on the project to about GHS 420 million, the total amount of tax payer funds so far spent. The estimated total cost of the project is around 400million dollars. Is this project a national priority?
For a government that is unable to print textbooks for basic school pupils several years after introducing new curricular unable to pay NABCO arrears and that is indebted to contractors and suppliers to the tune of over GHS 40 billion, this is most imprudent and unacceptable.
2.5 % INCREASE IN VAT
Whilst whittling away the little we have as a country in this intransigent manner, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has decided to pile more hardships on the people of Ghana through the introduction of more taxes in the 2023 Budget presented to Parliament.
The most punitive among these taxes is the addition of 2.5% to the VAT rate bringing it to a cumulative 21.5% (made up of 2.5% GETFund, 2.5% National Health Insurance, 1% Covid Levy and 15% VAT all levied under the terms of Value Added Act, Act 870) the highest in Africa. What moral right does President Akufo-Addo have to increase VAT by 2.5% when he led the “KUMI PREKO” demonstration in 1995 resulting in the loss of five lives.
As sure as night follows day, this will worsen the hardship faced by Ghanaians, as the prices of almost all items will increase instantaneously once this tax comes into effect.
In addition to the increase in VAT, we have detected twenty-two additional tax and revenue measures that will make life even more difficult and unbearable for every Ghanaian.
As Social Democrats, we of the NDC stock have never been against taxation per se, but we are simply unable to agree with the steep increase and timing of the introduction of these tax measures.
At a time when people are facing the worst economic crisis and hardships in their lifetime, the last thing that is desired is further taxation.
The high rate of inflation has already eroded the disposable incomes of Ghanaians and we can no longer bear to give more to a government that is determined to waste our resources on extravagant living
E-LEVY
Our position on E-levy remains unchanged. It is a setback to this cashless economy. We are also astonished to learn in the Budget that the GHS 100 threshold for e-levy deductions has been abolished. How come that the threshold is being abolished. How do we protect the vulnerable poor? At least a 300gh threshold with a reduction in the principal from 1.7 to 1%. You recall my suggestion of a 1% levy at a threshold of 500, which was out-rightly rejected by Government at the negotiations. This was part of the discussion when we rejected “AGYAPA”.
UNPRECEDENTED INFLATION AND DEPRECIATION OF THE CEDI
Again, inflation, which has ballooned from 13% in January to over 40% in October, has diminished the value of GHS 100 and therefore the exemption threshold for e-levy should be increased to GHS 200 and not removed.
This a clear example of insensitivity on the part of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.
We in the NDC have already stated our intention to abolish the e-levy when we come back to power but before then, we wish to serve notice that we will fiercely resist the removal of the GHS 100 threshold.
Inflation has also wreaked havoc on personal income taxpayers and therefore removes any justification for the introduction of the additional band of 35% as announced in the 2023 budget.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
Yesterday, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta announced the commencement of a debt-restructuring program, which he cynically dubbed a “debt exchange program”.
The debt-restructuring program launched today, Monday, 5th December 2022 has the following details:
For Domestic Bond holders, there will be a drastic slash in the agreed interests on their existing bonds which have been replaced by four new instruments maturing in 2027,2029,2032 and 2037 as follows,
In 2023, there will be 0% interest paid them on their bonds
In 2024, only 5% interest will be paid
In 2025, 10% interest will be paid until maturity.
This means that for those who have invested their lifetime savings in government bonds and depend on the interests for their livelihood and regular upkeep, you will suffer a drastic reduction in the rate of interest, which will significantly diminish your source of livelihoods.
A few weeks ago, after coming under a barrage of public criticism for failing to show leadership and failing to address the nation in the wake of the harrowing hardships and economic crisis. President Akufo-Addo took to the airwaves and categorically denied every credible information we in the Minority caucus in Parliament, had put out about an impending drastic debt restructuring and very painful haircut for investors in government bonds and other creditors.
The President stated clearly that there would be “NO HAIRCUT”.
The measures referred to above show steep cuts in interest rates and this clearly exposes the falsehood and hollowness of the President’s claims in the said address.
Beyond a terse claim that principals of domestic bondholders would not suffer haircuts, the finance minister failed to provide details of what would happen to the principals.
We have become aware of the emergence of details of a briefing given by the Finance Minister and officials of the Finance Ministry to stakeholders in the Banking Sector.
It was clearly disclosed at the briefing that bondholders who look forward to having their principals paid upon the maturity of their bonds, are also in for a very rough ride as the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has decided not to pay in full when the bonds reach maturity.
The principal payments are to be done according to the under listed formula.
In 2027, which is five years from now, only 17% of the principal will be paid.
In 2029, seven years from now, only 17% will be paid
In 2032, ten years from now, 25% will be paid and
In 2037, fifteen years from now, 41% will be paid.
This arrangement is set to derail and disrupt the plans of bondholders who have planned their lives and expenditure around the expected timely and full payment of their principals in consonance with the terms of purchase of the original bonds.
It will no doubt lead to hardships for bondholders, not to mention the breach of the original instruments.
Though the Finance Minister stated that details of treatment of external bonds are yet to be disclosed, it is the worst kept secret in Ghana that in the case of external bondholders, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has decided to cut a staggering 30% off both the interest and principal.
In addition, external bondholders will have the maturity dates of their bonds extended by twenty whole years.
We need to stress that this crude haircut will not only affect foreigners or non-Ghanaians as erroneously believed because there is a significant number of Ghanaians who hold external bonds through various Ghanaian financial institutions who made these investments on their behalf.
These harsh cuts in the interests and principals of bondholders stem from a self-inflicted economic disaster.
Incontrovertible information reaching us indicates that this decision has been reached after a Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) carried out under the aegis of the IMF and World Bank showed that we in the Minority have always been right that our public debt is no longer sustainable.
We can also state with absolute certainty, that after years of denial and falsification of our debt numbers through the exclusion of debts owed by SoES, contingent liabilities, and debts on the books of dodgy Special Purpose Vehicles, the Akufo-Addo government has finally capitulated and accepted the reality that we owe far more than they have been admitting.
Contrary to the Finance Minister’s claim in the 2023 budget presented barely a week ago, that our debt to GDP ratio was 76%, government has now admitted that it is actually an unthinkable 105%.
This puts our actual public debt well above GHS 500 billion.
With such astronomical debt and how unsustainable it has become, Government is compelled as a precondition to securing an IMF program to reduce the debt and bring the debt to GDP ratio to 55% over a five-year period.
In the circumstance, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has decided to implement these cut-throat debt restructuring measures that will see it failing to pay government bond holders and creditors up to as much as GHS 200 billion.
These haircuts are a complete disaster for those affected and represents an economic atrocity on an unparalleled scale against the people of Ghana.
All this was very avoidable had the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government not been so hopeless, incompetent, arrogant and intransigent.
They had absolutely no business collapsing our economy and inflicting such a calamity on our people given all the resources and goodwill placed at their disposal.
We are appalled that this government believes that only the people of Ghana, who had no hand in the criminal mismanagement of the economy that has brought us to this sad juncture, should bear the pain of the supposed corrective measures.
We observe that there is no corresponding level of sacrifice on the part of the incompetent bunch whose puerile mismanagement has resulted in this national tragedy.
They continue to be arrogant and unrepentant and are unwilling to accept responsibility for mismanaging the economy.
Even as it is abundantly clear that the managers of the economy like Alhaji Bawumia, Ken Ofori-Atta and the entire membership of the Economic Management Team have lost credibility, proven to be incompetent and cannot be relied upon to salvage the situation, they continue to cling on and are taking more damaging decisions that continue to bring suffering to our people.
President Akufo-Addo is also refusing to show leadership by outlining more credible and deeper cost cutting measures that will signal a departure from the old ways.
He has refused to reduce the size of what has become the largest and most inefficient government in our history.
Government is required to bring both the budget estimates and debt-restructuring plan to parliament for approval.
We wish at this juncture, to state emphatically, that we in the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament will vigorously oppose and refuse to entertain both the budget estimates and any bill on debt restructuring until the follow conditions are met.
The resignation of the entire Economic Management Team and in particular Alhaji Bawumia from his position as Chair of that obviously moribund body.
The immediate resignation or dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta
Immediate reduction in the number of Ministers and political appointees at the Office of the President by half.
Removal of all non-essential expenditure in the 2023 budget including the GHS 80 million allocated to the National Cathedral
Reinstatement of the GHS 100 exemption threshold for e-levy payment
We are aware that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government have become desperate and is compelled after reckless mismanagement of the economy to achieve fiscal consolidation.
Fiscal consolidation also involves deep expenditure cuts and prudence in the use of scarce resources.
The people of Ghana alone cannot be called upon to withstand the worst of the economic mismanagement and attendant hardships while those responsible for the crisis continue as if nothing happened or they did nothing.
We wish to assure the good people of Ghana that we will continue to fight to preserve their interests and prevent the hopeless Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government from doing more damage to the economy and bringing more pain and hardships upon us.
At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Ollie Robinson and James Anderson shone as England defeated Pakistanby a remarkable margin of 74 runs.
Ben Stokes was rewarded for a strong statement when the visitors defeated Pakistan for the first time on the road in the longest format in 22 years late in the final day on a friendly pitch.
Babar Azam’s team was set a target of 343 runs to win, but Robinson took 4-50 and the dependable Anderson 4-36 before Jack Leach broke a resolute last-wicket partnership as the light grew dimmer and bowled Babar Azam’s team out for 268.
In their first Test in Pakistanin 17 years, England’s seamers excelled, producing crisp reverse swing with an old ball to grab a 1-0 series lead.
After Pakistan resumed on 80-2, Anderson delivered the first blow, catching Imam-ul-Haq behind the back by Ollie Pope down the leg side for 48.
At lunch, Saud Shakeel (76) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) helped their team reach 169-3, but early in the afternoon session, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman nicked Anderson through to Pope.
Liam Livingstone’s tour-ending knee injury necessitated the substitution of Keaton Jennings as the fielder, and Keaton Jennings removed Shakeel with a superb diving catch at short cover off Robinson’s bowling.
After retiring hurt on day four due to a finger injury, Azhar Ali (40) displayed outstanding control as he worked with Agha Salman to frustrate the tourists. Anderson and Stokes bowled excellent periods without being rewarded further.
Pope dropped Azhar off Robinson’s next ball down the leg side, but the seamer broke a 61-run partnership by catching Salman leg before and had Azhar caught by Joe Root at leg slip to conclude the stand.
When Robinson clipped Naseem Shah’s off stump with the first ball he faced, the bails stayed in place, but Pakistan was still eight down when Pope made an incredible catch for Anderson down the leg side to end Zahid Mahmood’s innings.
Robinson and Anderson swing the game in England’s favour
You would expect the spinners to play a massive part on the final day, but it was the reverse swing generated by England’s seamers that was crucial.
Robinson generated sharp movement in the air, striking twice early in the last session to set England well on their way to victory.
Anderson was also magnificent, the 40-year-old once again showing age is no barrier as he bowled 24 probing overs on a lifeless pitch.
Stokes can do no wrong
Captain Stokes became only the third England captain to win a Test in Pakistan after Ted Dexter and Nasser Hussain.
The skipper could not have wished for a better start to his reign, beating New Zealand, South Africa and India on home soil this year and leading the side superbly in this remarkable Test.
Network subscribers who thronged theMTN office at Achimota Mall in Accra to register their SIM cards on Monday morning were unable to so.
The office of the telecommunication giant remained closed as at 10am.
Hundreds of subscribers whose SIM cards have been deactivated gathered in front of the office to register their SIMS in order to make and receive calls, as well as access data and SIM services.
MTN has deactivated the SIM cards of over 5 million subscribers.
As of November 26, 22,112,943 MTN Ghana subscribers had successfully linked their Ghana card to their SIM cards (Stage 1), while 16,411,794 had successfully completed the bio-capture phase (Stage 2).
On December 1, 2022, the National Communications Authority (NCA) deactivated the SIM cards of subscribers who had linked their Ghana card to their SIM cards but had failed to complete the biometric data registration.
According to the Ministry of Communications, these SIMs have been blocked because these individuals have deliberately refused to register their SIM cards despite having the Ghana card.
Meanwhile, the NCA has revealed that persons who have not commenced the process of registering their SIMS or do not have the Ghana card will not have their SIM cards deactivated.
Government has allocated over GH9 billion to fund 16 of its flagship initiatives in 2023.
This information is contained in the 2023 budget statement and economic policy presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to Parliament.
Close to GH3 billion has been allocated to the Free Senior High School Programme, while a little over GH2.6 billion has been allocated to roads infrastructure.
Also, an amount of GH969 million has been alloted to the School Feeding Programme.
Over GH660 million has been allocated to the Agric Ministry’s Planting for Food and Jobs, a little over GH164 million will be used for Railways Development, while more than GH520 million will be pumped into the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme.
Close to GH4 million has been allocated to Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty.
In the education sector, the Nursing Trainee Allowances and Teacher Trainee Allowances will cost the government GH265 million and over GH241 million respectively.
An amount of GH200 million will be spent on government’s One District One Factory Programme and GH38 million will be spent on Regional Reorganisation and Development.
The National Identification Authority will be provided with GH37 million, Fish Landing Sites, GH26 million, Zongo Development Fund, GH24 million and Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre, GH14 million.
Raheem Sterling reportedly missed England’s World Cup match against Senegal because he had to return to England after an armed intruder raid on his home.
In Sunday’s 3-0 victory over the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, Gareth Southgate’s team was without the Chelsea forward.
It is uncertain whether Sterling will return to Qatar in time to play against France in the quarterfinals next Saturday after England officials explained it to be “a family concern” before the game.
The BBC stated that on Saturday night, a break-in took place at the London house of 27-year-old Sterling.
Manager Gareth Southgate said after England‘s victory: “Raheem is having to deal with a family situation. He’s going back to England.
“We have to give him time to try to resolve that, or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing. We are going to give him that space.
“It didn’t impact team selection. I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning, so you have days where events happen and you have to deal with them.
“He’s on his way home. We are obviously mindful of him being allowed space and respect his privacy, so we don’t want to talk about it in too much detail.
“It’s not ideal for the group ahead of the big game, but it pales into insignificance – the individual is more important than the group in these moments.”
England’s opening goalscorer Jordan Henderson told ITV: “I hope everything’s OK with Raheem’s family at home and I hope he goes back and can sort everything out.
“Hopefully he can then come back, but I suppose he’ll have to assess when he gets there. All our thoughts and support is with him.”
England defender Eric Dier added: “We all wish him and his family well. We hope everyone’s OK.
“I just found out before the game. I don’t know more than that, just wish him all the best.”
Thoughts are with @sterling7 and his family after their awful and harrowing ordeal.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has advised against the possible mad rush for investment from financial institutions.
It is reported that some investors are withdrawing their investment after government announced its debt operation programme yesternight, December 4.
The existing domestic bonds will be exchanged for a set of four new bonds and those as of December 1, 2022, that are due for payment will not be paid until at least five years from now.
Mr Ofori-Atta revealed that the new set of four bonds matures in 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2037.
The announcement has sparked some concerns, but according to Mr Ofori-Atta, investors should remain calm.
He revealed that “this may be one of the most effective collaboration of the regulators – the issue of liquidity, so there is no need to rush for your money because certain forbearance will also be given to these institutions to help.”
The collaborators which include Bank of Ghana, Securities & Exchange Commission, National Insurance Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Commission will ensure that the impact of the debt operation on the financial institution is minimised.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has urged their media to truly participate with the collaborators and rally citizens to support the government.
“We ask for your support in this and we as government are also committed to fiscal rectitude in ensuring that next year, even though it is going to be difficult, it is a year in which we will cross,” he added.
Declan Rice, who asserted that other nations will dread the Three Lions, believes that England is not receiving the credit it merits for its World Cup performances.
Despite a slow start on Sunday at Al Bayt Stadium, Gareth Southgate’s team easily defeated Senegal 3-0 to go to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka all scored goals to give Englanda Saturday tie with France. Jude Bellingham was the star of the show.
Although Southgate’s pragmatic approach to major tournaments has drawn some criticism, England is leading the competition after four games with 12 goals while only giving up two goals on the opposite end.
“I’m delighted. It was a real top performance,” Rice said.
“There was a lot of energy, some great goals. We knew Senegal posed a massive threat but we shut them down and now we march on.
“I’ve said it all along – we’ve not been getting the credit we deserve with our performances. If you look at other teams, like the Netherlands and Argentina, they win their games comfortably and it gets called a masterclass, but with us it always gets picked off.
“If you look at our last couple of games we’ve been faultless. Other countries should be fearing us now.
“I think we’re starting to silence the critics. Going into the tournament there was always a lot of talk that we don’t score enough goals – again, that’s another one we’ve kept people quiet on. There was scrutiny around the defence and conceding goals but it’s been solid so we’re going to keep building and pushing.”
Rice did add: “We’re building a solid foundation and it’s down to us now – there’s no point being buzzing about tonight if we can’t push on and beat France.”
At the basis of England’s midfield, Rice displayed his customary composure, but Bellingham stole the show.
The midfielder for Borussia Dortmund was instrumental in both Henderson’s first-half goal and Kane’s 2-0 expansion of the lead just before halftime.
“He’s thriving on the main stage,” Rice said of the 19-year-old. “It makes me happy to see that, when you’ve got a player like that who is so strong and athletic, creating the chances he’s creating.
“He’s been doing it for Dortmund all season and is now doing it for us. It was a real collective team performance from us tonight all over the pitch, magnificent.”
Of going up against France and the World Cup’s leading goalscorer Kylian Mbappe, Rice said: “These are the game we want to play in. England versus France quarter-final – it doesn’t get bigger than that. We’ve got six days now to prepare, we know the world will be watching and we want to progress.”
Since Jude Bellingham ignited a World Cup triumph over Senegal, veteran England defender Gary Neville believes the midfielder is nearly a complete player.
Another outstanding performance by the teenager helped Gareth Southgate’s team win 3-0 on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals in Qatar.
The midfielder Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund has emerged as a vital player for the Three Lions during this competition and appears to have cemented his spot in the starting lineup.
Neville claimed the 19-year-old has earned his spot and added that he appears to already possess a mastery and maturity in an England jersey that few others possess.
“It’s very rare you see a midfield player as comfortable in his own half as in the attacking half,” he told ITV. “He looks like he can do absolutely everything.
“Is he a holding player, an attacking player? He’s everything in one. He’s fantastic, [and] so young, but it’s the composure, maturity and fearlessness I can’t get my head around.
“I watched players play for England for many years, the weight of the shirt was enormous. He just doesn’t feel it at all, he looks like he belongs out there, like he wants it and needs it in his life.”
Bellingham and England will face holders France in their quarter-final tie, with the pair set to meet on Saturday in the concluding match of the last eight.
Government has allocated an amount of GH1.4 billion to the Contingency Vote in its 2023 budget statement and economic policy.
Per information from Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the allocation to the Contingency Vote has increased by over GH400 million from GH993 million in 2022.
According to him, the allocation made at a time when the government has appealed to Ghana to burden share in an economy in crisis is “mind-boggling.”
“Significant and logical questions that arise are: why this astronomical increase in the Contingency Vote when putting priority concerns aside, a separate and legal allocation of GHS80million has this time been made for the Cathedral?
Should that not have led to substantial decreases in the Contingency allocation? What new scheme of create, loot and squander is brewing for which a record breaking GHS1.4billion Contingency is required?” the MP asked in a Facebook post.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta informed the ad hoc committee instituted by Speaker Alban Bagbin to probe into a censure motion against him revealed that an amount of GHS339,003,064.86 was taken from the Contingency Vote to facilitate the construction of the National Cathedral project.
For Mr Ablakwa, it is unacceptable how money allocated to the Contingency Vote has skyrocketed since 2021.
Per the 2021 budget statement, an amount of GH186.2 million was allocated to the Contingency Vote.
Mr Ablakwa added that it is unacceptable that the recent allocation to the Contingency Vote significantly exceeds the budget allocation made to Parliament, Judiciary and a number of ministries.
“Let’s put the current GHS1.4billion in proper perspective — the amount is more than twice the entire 2023 allocation to Parliament which is some GHS645.8million; the scandalous Contingency Vote provision is also three times higher than the entire 2023 allocation to the Judiciary (including judicial service) which is GHS437.3million; the outrageous GHS1.4billion is also far higher than allocations to several ministries including National Security, Attorney General, Works and Housing, Communications, Railway Development, Chieftaincy, Employment, Transport, Fisheries, Lands and Natural Resources, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Environment, Energy, Foreign Affairs, Information and Parliamentary Affairs.”
Again, he was against the idea that the “insensitive” GHS1.4 billion Contingency Vote allocation “is higher than 14 out of Government’s 16 Flagship Initiatives.”
The monies allocated for government’s 16 flagship initiatives include; Roads Infrastructure (GH2,639,473,980), Free Senior High School Programme (GH2,957,502,092), Water and Sanitation Initiative (GH74,484,764), School Feeding Programme (GH969,000,000).
The others are; Planting for Food and Jobs (GH660,562,919), Railways Development (GH164,579,149), Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (GH526,573,888), Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (GH395,070,000).
The remaining initiatives are Nursing Trainee Allowances (GH265,200,000), Teacher Trainee Allowances (GH241,913,000), One District One Factory Programme (GH200,417,720), Regional Reorganisation and Development (GH38,800,000), National Identification Authority (GH37,600,000), Fish Landing Sites (GH26,304,000), Zongo Development Fund (GH24,409,600) and Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (GH14,400,000).
The total cost for the initiatives is GH9,236,291,111.
The allocation made to the Contingency Vote, according to Mr Ablakwa, indicates that the government is not sincere about cutting their expenditure.
“They ought to be dealing with this Contingency Monster and not trivials such as hampers, diaries and workshops,” he suggested.
Government has directed public sector workers, Municipal Metropolitans and District Assemblies (MMDAs) not to give out hampers to their stakeholders this Christmas as part of efforts to cut down its expenditure.
“It beats my imagination that government has GHS1.4billion to spend in just one year as contingency, and yet refuses to use that money to employ the youth in critical sectors such as Education, Health and The Interior even as millions of jobless Ghanaians languish at home, particularly as unemployment has now reached an all-time high according to latest population census figures,” Mr Ablakwa further lamented.
The MP is of the assertion that “government is escalating on a grander scale instead of departing from its gross economic mismanagement and insatiable appetite for reckless expenditure which has created the current economic crisis, debt overhang, and the resultant painful and crude haircuts.”
Mr Ablakwa has therefore pledged that the Minority will resist the approval of the allocation to the Contingency Vote.
“This sleazy, sordid, shady, selfish and scandalous GHS1.4billion Contingency Vote allocation will only worsen ongoing labour agitations for better working conditions and lead to widespread justifiable refusal by the suffering Ghanaian people to burden share with a regime that is unhinged and irredeemable,” he concluded.
Four last-16 games remain, but Netherlands, Argentina, France, and England have already secured their places in the World Cup quarterfinals.
On Monday, Brazil will face South Korea and surprise package Japan will play Croatia.
The round concludes later that day when Cristiano Ronaldo will try to motivate Portugal to victory over Switzerland. On Tuesday, group G champions Morocco face off against Spain.
Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 fixtures
The elimination round began with Netherlands easily defeating the United States 3-1.
The South Americans defeated Australia 2-1 thanks to Lionel Messi, and Louis van Gaal’s team will now play them in the round of eight.
In addition to France’s victory over Poland and England’s 3-0 victory over Senegal, which came after some tense first-half moments, set up a matchup with Les Bleus. Olivier Groud became France’s all-time leading scorer.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has announced that existing domestic bonds will be exchanged for a set of four new bonds.
Bonds as of December 1, 2022, that are due for payment will not be paid until at least five years from now.
This is because the new set of four bonds matures in 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2037, the Finance Minister said when he addressed Ghanaians on December 4, 2022.
The interest on these bonds differs as bonds in 2024 will attract an annual coupon of 5%, and that of 2025 will provide 10% interest until maturity.
“Coupon payments will be semi-annual,” the Finance Minister revealed.
Bonds in 2023 will however attract no interest.
According to Mr Ofori-Atta, the adjustment made is as a result of a debt operation programme Ghana would be taking as part of its arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“The broad contours of the Debt Sustainability Analysis has been concluded and I am here this evening to provide some details on Ghana’s Domestic Exchange which will be launched tomorrow,” he said.
He assured that government worked hard to minimize the impact of the domestic debt exchange on investors holding government bonds.
Following government’s intervention, he announced that Treasury Bills would be exempted in the country’s domestic debt exchange and will be paid the full value of their investments on maturity.
“There will be no haircut on the principal of bonds” and “Individual holders of bonds will not be affected,” the Minister added.
On October 30, President Akufo-Addo while addressing Ghanaians on the state of the economy pledged that there would be no haircut on investment.
Mr Ofori-Atta explained that haircut has been taken off the table since “government recognises that our financial institutions hold a substantial proportion of these bonds.”
Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana, Securities & Exchange Commission, National Insurance Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Commission will ensure that the impact of the debt operation on the financial institution is minimised.
On the other hand, government is establishing a Financial Stability Fund (FSF) to help provide liquidity support to banks, pension funds, and insurance companies, among others to ensure they are able to meet their obligations to their clients.
Reacting to the news, Vice President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, stated that Ghana has unilaterally announced a default.
“First time since 1982. In certain like-for-like respects though it is the first since the 1972 commercial loan default,” he tweeted.
He, however, questioned whether the way forward for Ghana with regard to addressing its debt would be a smooth or rough ride.
Former teammate Sergio Aguero says Lionel Messiis enjoying his pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup ambition after feeling liberated by last year’s Copa America victory.
Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals against the Netherlands thanks to a goal from Messi, who scored his ninth World Cup goal and first in a knockout match.
With his goal, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner surpassed Diego Maradona’s record of eight World Cup goals for Argentina. He finished with his trademark left foot after cutting inside from the right. Only Gabriel Batistuta (10) now contributes more to the nation.
Messi highlighted his “beautiful” bond with Argentina’s supporters after the win, but Aguero believes that is a recent development, one which came about as a result of the Albiceleste ending a 28-year wait to win the Copa America last July.
“Leo is going to do everything possible to achieve the goal that we all want,” the former Argentina international told ESPN.
“Leo is happy and content. The Copa America changed his life, it gave him life. After the Copa America, he was happy again in the national team, like when we were in the under-20s.
“He lived with criticism and lost finals for a long time. The Copa America was liberating for him.”
Messi had the disgrace of losing four important international finals before to Argentina’s victory over the hosts Brazil last year, failing to carry his team to victory in the 2014 World Cup or the 2007, 2015, or 2016 Copa Americas.
Aguero suggested Brazil, who might face Argentina in the World Cup semifinals, would not enjoy a rematch after that victory in Rio de Janeiro.
“If we made it to the quarter-finals, let me be excited,” Aguero said. “Do you think that Brazil wants to meet Argentina in the semi-finals?
“Brazil has just lost the Copa America final, I think they don’t want that match.”
Germany’s decision to participate in “political demonstrations” in Qatar, according to Arsene Wenger, may have contributed to their early exit from the World Cup.
Germany failed to bounce back from a shocking 2-1 loss to the Samurai Blue on matchday one, exiting the group stage for the second time in a row as Japan and Spain advanced.
Before the match, Germany’s players protested FIFA’s decision to forbid captain Manuel Neuer from donning the OneLove armband, which was meant to spread a message against discrimination in Qatar, where homosexuality is prohibited. The players covered their mouths in the team photo.
A statement from the team said “denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice”, but some – most notably Belgium winger Eden Hazard – claimed the protest may have distracted Germany’s players.
Wenger, the head of FIFA’s Technical Study Group for the tournament, agreed with that suggestion, saying: “When you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game.
“The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.
“The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
Speaking after the defeat to Japan, Germany coach Hansi Flick insisted his players were “not at all” distracted by their decision to take a stand on the OneLove debate.
Germany were one of several European teams to initially commit to wearing the armband, but each backed down ahead of the World Cup after facing the apparent threat of sporting sanctions.
We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
Neymar has resumed training in preparation for Brazil’s World Cup match against South Korea, and if the team’s medical staff gives him the all-clear, he will play.
Since the Selecao’s 2-0 victory against Serbia in their opening Group G match, Brazil’s talisman has been absent from action in Qatar.
Neymar left that game early due to an ankle injury, making him unavailable for the remainder of the group stage.
The 30-year-old posted images from his return to training on social media on Saturday, along with the caption “I feel good, I knew that I would now”, and it was confirmed in Brazil’s pre-match press conference that Neymar will be available as long as he comes through a session unscathed on Sunday.
“Neymar’s going to practice today,” Brazil coach Tite said.
“If he practices okay then he will be playing. There’s a specific training today. He will practice and if everything is okay, he will play.”
Tite insisted, however, the final call will be with Brazil’s medical experts.
“We play a price to be the best, we want to be at our most competent but we never put health at risk,” Tite added when asked if Neymar would start if he came through the training session without any issues.
“Neymar being in the line-up depends on the medical department clearing it.
“I prefer to use my best from the start. Myself, as a head coach I have to take that responsibility, and that is my preference.”
Tite also confirmed Danilo is available for selection, though Alex Sandro is not. Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles, meanwhile, have been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.
Jadon Sancho will stay behind to concentrate on a personal program “as part of a process to get back to his highest level” rather than joining Manchester United’s training camp in Spain.
In order to be ready for the return of domestic football, United will spend a week in Spain, playing friendlies against Cadiz on Wednesday and Real Betis on Saturday.
Due to the World Cup, Erik ten Hag will be without 13 members of his first team, and the Premier League club has also stated that Sancho, who was not selected for Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Qatar 2022, will not be there.
The 22-year-old was recently seen practicing with Ten Hag-recommended coaches at Dutch amateur team OJC Rosmalen.
🇪🇸 Our travelling squad has been revealed for our winter camp in Spain. #MUFC
United confirmed on Sunday on their website: “Jadon Sancho is continuing his individual training programme as part of a process to get back to his highest level. The club is fully supporting him in this.”
Sancho has scored three goals and contributed one assist in 14 games (12 starts) for his club this year, compared to just five goals and three assists in 38 games (27 starts) the year before after joining from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million (€85 million).
Additionally, because they are still recovering from injuries, United will be without their defense three of Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan Bissaka, and Brandon Williams in Spain.
The Red Devils resume competitive play in the EFL Cup on December 21 when they face Burnley in the fourth round, while Premier League play resumes on December 27 when Nottingham Forest visits Old Trafford.
Husband Material 7 Yards, which is an original play by Ghanaian playwright, Uncle Ebo Whyte, was inspired by a true life story.
This information was disclosed by the playwright himself when he engaged his audience after the end of the show whenever it was performed at the National Theatre in Accra. Husband Material 7 Yards showed on November 26, 27 and December 3.
The play reveals the life of Joe, a character played by Richmond Kobina Anaman, who was sacked out of the blue on September 26, 2022, from Alpha GH Limited, in the world of the play. His sacking was by the efforts of the Board Chairman, Doc, as named in the play, and his Managing Director, Nelson.
Joe was accused of gross misconduct, and embezzlement of funds, among others.
Following the dismissal, he turns to God for assistance to come out from the raging sea, exactly what life has become. He seeks the face of God with his wife, Charity, and three children, namely; Samantha, Denzel and Aaron.
And we are live!
I don’t know much, but I know I love you, and that will be all I need to know!
Joe calls his wife Stumpus Stumpululu! What names do you call your wives or partners?#husbandmaterial7yards
Sponsored by Gino Tomato Mix, GCB Bank Ltd and Ebony Condoms. pic.twitter.com/mu79MT2Jdy
According to Uncle Ebo Whyte, some thirty years ago, on September 26, 1992, he was relieved of his duty with a company that owned about 90 shares of the market.
He did not name the company but he narrated how the entire incident happened.
He arrived at work at 7:30 am as usual and was phoned by his boss to meet him at 10am.
Uncle Ebo said he dropped everything he was doing to see his boss and upon arrival at his office, he met the Board Chairman, his mentor, who for some reason failed to reply when he greeted him.
It was after that that he received the bombshell that he had been sacked. About nine charges had been leveled against him. The playwright has since pleaded innocent of the charges leveled against him.
Uncle Ebo was unemployed for one and half years, but despite the family losing their only source of income, he said he and his wife never lacked.
Prior to telling how he and his family survived after his dismissal, Uncle Ebo spoke of how his male reproductive organ decided to dismiss itself after hearing the bad news.
Husband Material 7 Yards shows today, December 4, at 4pm and 8pm respectively at the National Theatre. Get a first-hand experience of what looked like a tragic story but turns into comedy when Uncle Ebo narrates this ordeal once more.
A ticket for the play goes for GH100. Dial *365*535# to buy tickets or visit any of the traditional outlets.
You may visit the Roverman Productions pages on Facebook and Instagram; or call 0505546010 or WhatsApp 0505546030 for inquiries and booking of tickets. You can also visit www.rovermanproductions.com to buy tickets.
Messi has surpassed Diego Maradona in terms of World Cup appearances and goals.
The Argentina number 10 has drawn level with his predecessor on two critical metrics that highlight their respective creative talents.
Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Australia on Saturday, with Messi scoring the tenth goal of his World Cup career to give Lionel Scaloni’s squad a 1-0 lead in the first half.
With those two goals, Messi moved up to 23 World Cup appearances this year, two more than the previous national team record held by his late compatriot and fellow number 10 jersey wearer Maradona, who finished his career with eight goals.
The fact that Messi is one goal short of Gabriel Batistuta’s record of 10 World Cup goals for Argentina may be on his mind as he prepares to face the Netherlands on Friday.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward is breaking records as he goes during this tournament, and in that match against Louis van Gaal’s club, he will undoubtedly surpass two more Maradona records.
This is due to the fact that in terms of chances produced and opportunities presented during an open play during the World Cup, Messi and Maradona are currently exactly equal.
According to Opta data, they have both generated 67 opportunities, 48 of which have resulted from open play for each player.
In total, Messi produced four chances for Argentina against Australia, one of which was a fantastic opening for replacement Lautaro Martinez, who wastefully blasted it late in the game as Argentina sought to defeat their valiant opponents.
When it comes to goal assists, Maradona tops Messi. Compared to Messi’s total of six assists since making his World Cup debut at the 2006 finals, Maradona’s eight from 1982 to 1994 are superior.
Maradona led Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and later served as the team’s coach, most notably at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
At the age of 60, he passed away in November 2020.
Messi played his 1,000th match for club and country on Saturday against Australia.
As he is “expected to play nothing” in this World Cup, Matthijs de Ligt says he has no complaints about not being included in Louis van Gaal’s starting lineup for the Netherlands’ last three games.
De Ligt entered the game in the 93rd minute of the Netherlands’ 3-1 victory over the United States on Saturday.
The 23-year-old made his first appearance for the Oranje in that match after being benched by Van Gaal for the following three matches after starting in their 2-0 victory over Senegal in the World Cup opener.
“It’s not so frustrating, honestly,” De Ligt told The Athletic. “Every player wants to play but we are a group of 26 players.
“Honestly, I have played more than I expected to play at this World Cup. I expected to play nothing. I’m quite okay. We won together and we are in a quarter-final.”
The defender, who has established himself at Bayern Munich since his off-season switch from Juventus, has seen Ajax 21-year-old Jurrien Timber take his place alongside Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk in Van Gaal’s back three.
“No, it’s just the way of playing,” De Ligt replied when asked if injury was behind his non-selection. “Maybe the coach doesn’t put me in the team and I am okay with that. I expected it.
“So for me it’s fine. I know my role and I train hard every day to be important for the team.”
Van Dijk supported Cody Gakpo, a 23-year-old teammate from the Netherlands, in taking the next step in his career.
Gakpo, who scored in each of the three victories the Netherlands had during the World Cup group stage, has been linked to both Manchester United and Real Madrid.
“Are Manchester United and Real Madrid the same level at this moment? No disrespect, not at all,” Liverpool defender Van Dijk told The Athletic.
“I think he definitely has a next step in him. I definitely feel like it could happen. Whether it happens in the winter or next year, time will tell.
“But he’s a great boy. Works hard, is very talented and there’s definitely more in him. We are very pleased he’s doing so well and long may it continue.”
Gakpo would not be drawn on his future after the win over USA, while United defender Tyrell Malacia backed him to step up should an opportunity arise.
“He’s good enough for the top, there’s no doubt,” Malacia said.
Following the Netherlands‘ 3-1 victory over the United States in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday, Memphis Depay took a shot at former NBA player and American TV analyst Charles Barkley.
Depay got things going in the triumph, which came after Barkley started yelling at teammates prior to their matchup in the elimination round.
Barkley said on NBA on TNT: “We’re going for the Netherlands. We opening up a can of whoop-a** ’cause I guarantee the Netherlands is in trouble.”
The official Dutch team Twitter account responded with a hype video of Barkley’s quotes shortly prior to kick-off with Barcelona attacker having the last laugh.
“Lotta bark, no bite,” Depay posted on Twitter only a few hours after the game, with an image of a forlorn-looking Barkley under the 3-1 scoreline.
The victory means the Netherlands will take on Argentina in the quarter-finals, while the USA’s World Cup is over.
Harry Kane feels “as match fit as I’m ever going to feel” as he prepares to lead England against Senegal at the World Cup on Sunday.
After suffering an ankle injury in the opening 6-2 triumph over Iran, England captain Harry Kane has failed to score in Qatar and has had trouble getting back into top form.
He admits he would have preferred to have established his account, but he is not very concerned and claims it is all part of a strategy to peak as the competition progresses.
The Tottenham striker said: “At the World Cup in 2018, from a physical side of things, we started the tournament well, I scored a load of goals and as the tournament progressed, my performances dipped.
“At the Euros I tried to do it the other way round to make sure I was in the best place for the knockouts. I’d love to be sitting here with two or three goals but, minutes-wise, it hasn’t been too tough, and hasn’t been too physical heading into the knockout stages.
“I feel really good, I feel as match fit as I’m ever going to feel. Only time will tell but hopefully I can do well tomorrow and bring my best form into the knockout phase.”
On his ankle, he added: “It feels fine. I had that knock in the first game but it’s been getting better day by day and I almost don’t feel it at all now.
“Form-wise I feel like I’ve been playing well. The goals are what I will be judged on but I am calm and always try to focus on the team, do my best and I can do that in many different ways.
“I will continue to do that and if the goals come then great. As a striker I always want to be scoring goals, it’s going to be a tough game against Senegal but hopefully I can get off the mark.”
“I think we’re in a good place. The group stage is just about getting through, we did our job and now it’s a second competition of knockout football. We have to be prepared to face a tough side on Sunday.
“Senegal’s greatest asset is their togetherness, that’s what’s seen them become African champions and get through the group stage here. It’ll be a tough test but you’re at the World Cup, so you expect to play against the best in the world.”
Englandboss Gareth Southgate has a fully fit squad to choose from but some selection dilemmas, primarily in attacking positions with Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling all candidates to play wide of Kane.
“It’s a good position to be in,” said Southgate. “You want your players in confident mood and our forward players are. You want to make the best decision possible and in some respects I am not sure there’s a right or wrong answer.
“They all offer different attributes and it’s just trying to get the balance right and make the best decisions.”
Southgate is aware of the task that awaits his side and does not feel the absence of injured Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane weakens Senegal.
He added: “We’ve been really impressed by them. They are African champions and have a lot of belief in the team. They have some excellent individual players that can cause problems and a good structure.
“[Senegal coach] Aliou [Cisse] has done a fantastic job. They were unlucky not to qualify from their group in 2018 and did so this time.
“Mane is an incredible player and every team in the world would want to have him but Senegal have become stronger in his absence. They have shown great spirit but losing him doesn’t change the level of difficulty of the fixture tomorrow. We have to be at our very best to win the game.”
President Akufo-Addo has defended the government’s choice to raise funding for its free senior high school policy.
The allocation comes amidst the nation’s economic difficulties
Based on the results of those who received free SHS in the past two West Africa Secondary Schools Certificate Examinations, he claims that the policy has been more effective than what was in place before (WASSCE).
“The 2022 WASSCE results of the third batch of Free SHS graduates show 60.39 percent of students recording A1-C6 in English as opposed to 51.6 percent in 2016. 62.5 percent recording A1 to C6 in Integrated Science in 2022 as opposed to 48.35 percent in 2016 with this year’s results being a slight regression from the 2021 pass rate of 65.7 percent”, he said.
President Akufo-Addo who was speaking at the 70th Anniversary of Opoku Ware School in Kumasi further enumerated that, “61.39 percent recorded A1 to C6 in Mathematics as compared to 33.12 percent in 2016 and 71.5 percent recorded A1 to C6 in Social Studies as compared to 54.5 percent in 2016. Lest we forget the 2021 batch of students who also obtained very commendable results were the pioneers of the double track system which elicit a lot of vilification and unfounded criticism on its introduction”.
The President claims that the pass rate has steadily increased since the pre-free SHS era, with the 2022 results being the best in eight years.
For this reason, the President believes the Free SHS has been very successful with 1.3 million children benefitting from the policy which comes with its own challenges.
“There have been challenges associated with this policy which government has addressed substantially; many of them and there will be more in the course of time, such is the nature of social evolutions so that at every stage the challenges will be met”, he added.
Budgetary allocation for the policy implementation has increased from 2.3 billion cedis to 2.96 billion cedis, in spite of current economic challenges.
“From a budget of 2.3 billion cedis in 2022, a 28.6 percent increase has been applied to this year’s budget for free SHS”, he said.
The anniversary was on the theme; “Seven Decades of Leadership through Self Discipline”. In attendance was Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu the Second, among other dignitaries.
Management of the school used the opportunity to call on the government to resume the renovation of projects that have stalled for months.
Headmaster, Rev. Father Stephen Owusu Sekyere, who spoke at the ceremony said, “As a listening father, you heed to our request and came to our aid to renovate all the facilities on campus in June 2020. I regret to inform you today that the project was supposed to be completed within six months but have stalled after two years”.
Meanwhile, old students of the school are devoting resources to an investment account to support future renovation projects.
A man has been detained by police and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of the rapper Takeoff.
The Grammy-nominated artist, 28, was shot and died last month in Houston, Texas, outside a bowling alley.
Although the singer was “an innocent bystander,” Houston police claimed that the shooting was related to a game of dice.
Takeoff was the rap group Migos’ youngest member, and his passing was lamented by admirers and musicians.
At a news conference on Friday, Houston Police revealed that they had captured Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, in custody using surveillance footage from the shooting’s night of the occurrence.
“[Clark] was there on the scene and he was in possession of a weapon,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.
“Don’t let the fear paralyse you,” Chief Finner said in his appeal. “Step up and say something.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston said he hopes the arrest will bring some comfort to the family of Takeoff.
He added that Takeoff was more than an entertainer, but also a “son, brother, cousin and a friend, and a mentor to those in the music industry”.
Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was one-third of the chart-topping Atlanta-based rap group Migos, who is known for several hits like Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry.
They were nominated for two Grammy Awards – one for best rap album and one for best rap performance – in 2018.
His death was met with an outpour of tributes from fans and musicians like Drake, Kid Cudi, Dave and Rick Ross, who remembered Takeoff as “young legend” and a pioneer of a distinct style of rapping known as the “Migos flow.”
The 28-year-old musician was one of three people shot outside a downtown bowling alley in Houston at 02:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on 1 November, after a dispute erupted at the end of a private party after a dice game.
Sgt. Michael Burrow with the Houston homicide division said on Friday that Takeoff was not involved in playing the dice game or the argument that took place outside the alley, and he was not armed.
“He was an innocent bystander,” Sgt. Burrow said.
Another man and a woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting.
Cameron Joshua, 22, was also arrested in connection with the shooting on 22 November and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Otto Addo says he left his position as coach of Ghana in order to continue working for Borussia Dortmund as a talent developer.
The 47-year-old made his resignation known after the Black Stars were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the group stage following their 2-0 loss to Uruguay on Friday.
After Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac was fired following a terrible performance at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Addo took up the Ghana post in February.
“It has not got to do with the outcome of the result [Ghana’s World Cup elimination]. It would have ended if we were world champions. I have to respect the contract. I have to respect the club I am working for.” Addo told the media in Doha.”
“Surely maybe one day I will get the chance to work with the GFA again but for the next two and half years, I have a contract with Dortmund and I have to respect that,” he added.
After the Black Stars defeated Nigeria in the play-off round in March, Addo led them to the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals, and Lionel Messi scored his first goal in the World Cup elimination stage to commemorate his 1,000th career appearance.
At Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Australia was content to delay their opponents, but as halftime drew near, Messi used his signature style to split the Socceroos open, picking out the bottom-left corner to score.
As exquisite as Argentina’s first goal was, their second goal almost bordered on the ludicrous as Australia goalie Mathew Ryan sent the ball to Julian Alvarez, who scored the game-winning goal with ease.
When Craig Goodwin’s shot bounced off Enzo Fernandez and past Emiliano Martinez, Australia cut the deficit in half, but Argentina never looked like they would be beaten as they set up a quarterfinal matchup with the Netherlands.
Argentina found it difficult to advance early on due to Graham Arnold’s team’s staunch defense, but La Albiceleste can credit their seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for helping them take the lead with their first significant attack.
After 35 minutes had passed, Messi ducked inside from the right flank to grab Nicolas Otamendi’s pass before putting a brilliant side-footed finish over Ryan’s helpless dive.
As Argentina sought a second goal after the break, Messi had a shot ricochet into Ryan’s arms. However, Ryan was at fault when Argentina extended their lead after 57 minutes.
When pressured by Rodrigo De Paul and Alvarez, Ryan puzzlingly attempted to dribble his way out of difficulty, and the Manchester City striker executed the easiest of finishes after seizing the ball.
When Fernandez unintentionally deflected Goodwin’s long-range shot into the bottom right corner, Australia unexpectedly cut the lead. Lisandro Martinez then made a superb last-ditch block to stop Aziz Behich from scoring a dramatic equalizer.
As Argentina clung on to secure their advancement, substitute Lautaro Martinez came close on three separate occasions until Emiliano Martinez stopped Garang Kuol from close range at the end.
Messi surpasses Maradona, chases Batistuta
On the day Messi brought up 1,000 career appearances – 169 of them for Argentina, he also inched closer to making another piece of history for his country.
Messi’s opener saw him surpass Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stabile’s tallies of eight World Cup goals. Only Gabriel Batistuta (10) has now outscored Messi when representing the country at the tournament.
Alvarez impresses once more
While Messi stole the headlines on Saturday, his 22-year-old strike partner also demonstrated his worth with another energetic performance.
Alvarez’s goal may have owed much to the poor decision-making of Ryan, but it made the City striker just the sixth Argentina player to score on each of his first two World Cup starts, and the first since Hernan Crespo did so in 2006.
Reports have it that the daughter of Andre Dede Ayew, the captain of the Black Stars of Ghana, fell unconscious after her father missed a penalty against Uruguay on Friday.
Dede Ayew missed the opportunity to put Ghana in the lead in the first half of the game.
Apparently, the missed penalty had a more adverse effect on his daughter than many Ghanaians who hoped Ghana would beat Uruguay.
According to GTV Sports, Dede Ayew quickly dashed off to the hospital where his daughter had been admitted to after the match ended.
It is said that she is doing fine and not in any danger.
🇬🇭 Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew went from the stadium 🏟 straight to the hospital to see his daughter who collapsed when he missed the penalty against Uruguay. It was quite scary but thankfully, she’s doing fine.
now.#GTVSPORTS#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022pic.twitter.com/rjQdnjDnMW
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