TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • We received only GHS100 after 2023 ITF World Team Cup Africa Qualifiers – Wheelchair Tennis Team

    We received only GHS100 after 2023 ITF World Team Cup Africa Qualifiers – Wheelchair Tennis Team

    A stipend of just GH 100 was paid to each member of the Ghana Wheelchair Tennis team for the seven days they spent competing for their nation in Nigeria, it has been disclosed.

    The money allocated to the players, according to coach Philip Plange, was insulting and tiny, and they made no purchases while they were in Nigeria, according to a Rainbow Sports interview.

    The team also revealed that they were forced to travel by bus to Nigeria for the tournament.

    The coach told Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi that when they presented their budget for approval, they did not receive the resources for the games.

    He claimed that when they submitted the budget, they were told that the country lacked the necessary resources.

    “We had to travel by bus for three days to Nigeria. Imagine the team’s state if we had to travel for three days on the road. That was regrettable. Take a look at the team’s condition; they had to travel for three days. They went through a terrible ordeal. Each player received Ghc100 in pocket money. It was difficult for us.”

    Meanwhile, while returning home from a tournament in Nigeria, the team was attacked and robbed by armed robbers.

    The robbery occurred at Ogun Stage in Nigeria on Tuesday dawn, during which the robbers broke the vehicle’s windshield and stole valuable belongings from the team.

    Three members of the team were injured and received treatment at a hospital.

    The team included No.1 seed Daniel Laryer, Razak Baba Abdul, Bernard Yawson, Bridget Nartey, Issah Zenabu, and Stacy Mensah Konadu.

    We went to represent Ghana, not ourselves, according to the coach. However, we attended the tournament despite receiving no reasonable support from the country. It was difficult for us. We had persevered in the face of adversity, and on our way back, we were attacked, and if they had used powered weapons, I would not have survived to give you this interview.”

    The team had just returned to Ghana after competing in the 2023 ITF World Team Cup Africa Qualifiers in Abuja, Nigeria, from the 8th to the 12th of February.

    The coach also emphasized the importance of the government prioritizing their activities because their participation in tournaments represents the country.

  • Olympic House to be named – Ben Nunoo Mensah

    Olympic House to be named – Ben Nunoo Mensah

    The long-awaited Olympic House will soon be given a name, according to Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), as talks in that direction have progressed.

    “I first saw the Deputy Minister of Works and Housing about a month and a half ago.

    It is still very much in the works, according to Ben Nunoo Mensah.

    He also stated that the building, which is currently in poor condition and unfit for purpose, will soon undergo renovations to improve its condition, as the building managers have requested more time to put things together.

    In the interview on Accra Sports with Jacob Kwablah Aborvor, alias Omanpani, on Saturday, February 2, on Accra 100.5 FM, the President of the Olympic Committee said: “The building will go on renovation very soon.

    “They have also requested some space so that the building managers can come and inspect things.

    “I hope to put it before the board in our next board meeting.

    “The deputy minister has assured me [of his support].”

    Ben Nunoo Mensah gave details about issues surrounding the land on which the Olympic House building will be.

    “Before we built our office where it is now, the GOC had an office.

    “Our building was on the land,” he said, adding; “The land was ours. The government has given the GOC a large chunk of land since the time of K.N. Owusu.”

    The promise was that the GOC would be given an office in the complex after the GOC office was demolished and a new high-rise building was built.

    “So that was where the GOC’s office was, so when they raised that high-rise building, the promise to us was that we would be given the first floor because they were going to demolish our building, and the building would then be named the Olympic House,” he explained.

    Ben Nunoo Mensah is hopeful of the building being named very soon, as discussions with the Ministry for Works and Housing have been fruitful, and Deputy Minister Abdulai Abanga has assured him of support to make things work.

    “The second bit has not come yet, so when I became president, and because I was involved at the time, I started chasing it with the ministry, and I think from my last meeting with the Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, I believe not long from now, the building will be named,” Ben Nunoo Mensah concluded.

  • “Hearts of Oak never compensated us for winning the CAF Confederations Cup – Eric Nyarko

    “Hearts of Oak never compensated us for winning the CAF Confederations Cup – Eric Nyarko

    Eric Nyarko, a former Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, has admitted that the club never gave him or his colleagues any recognition for winning the 2004 CAF Confederations Cup.

    Eric Nyarko was a member of the Hearts of Oak team that defeated Asante Kotoko 8-7 on penalties to win the inaugural CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-2 aggregate score in the final.

    Eric Nyarko asserted that the squad was never given anything in exchange for winning the famous trophy nearly 20 years after it was won.

    Speaking in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah, the former Hearts of Oak player stated that players were only paid based on matches paid and not a penny was paid for winning the trophy.

    “Sometimes I don’t want to talk about money issues because Hearts of Oak has opened many doors for me but God knows we didn’t get anything,” Eric Nyarko said.

    He added, “We thought we had made it in life after winning the Confederations Cup but when it got to time for them to give us the prize money I can Adja Tetteh had the biggest. The money is not even equivalent to ¢2,000 or ¢,500 cedis. I can say some people even got paid ¢150 cedis.”

    According to him, his decision to visit the past is to ensure “that our management members would wake up and do the right thing,” Eric Nyarko said.

  • Otumfuo’s niece stuns in corseted kente dress & Versace bag for B’day photoshoot

    Otumfuo’s niece stuns in corseted kente dress & Versace bag for B’day photoshoot

    Ghanaian lawyer and the pretty niece of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II looked ravishing in a stunning floral dress for her birthday photoshoot in Tanzania.

    The newly married Princess and her husband are touring African countries after their traditional ceremony and luxurious white wedding with the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, and his wife in attendance.

    Princess Emily Victoria’s elegant birthday photoshoot

    The granddaughter of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II and daughter of Ghana’s ambassador to Russia, Princess Emily Victoria looked regal in an off-shoulder beaded kente gown.

    She looked elegant in her long braided hairstyle and flawless makeup while flaunting her expensive designer bag.

    Some social media users have commented on Princess Emily’s post

    oppongandrea

    Eiii my woman ooo!! Happy birthday darling!! Looking spec and glowy!! Love is sweet!!

    _dxciv

    I haven’t even had the chance to wear the other 2 dresses but I’m placing my order for this one too please & thank you ♥️

    thestyleunit

    How do you look so perfect?!!!

    kirachambas

    Everything Princess

    yingimao

    swooooosh! these are so lovely ❤️

    rima_chouen

    Slay la vie gorgeous

    simplystay__

    So pretty! Happy belated Birthday x

    kensahashkar

    Happy birthday Princess Emily! have a blast!

  • Yilo Krobo SHS students reportedly sleeping in the open due to congestion

    Yilo Krobo SHS students reportedly sleeping in the open due to congestion

    Scores of students at Yilo Krobo Senior High Secondary School in the Eastern Region are compelled to sleep in the open and in makeshift structures because of the teething problem of lack of infrastructure.

    A video that has gone viral captured some students admitted into the school as part of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS), sleeping in the open under the vagaries of the weather.

    The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Iddrissu Adamptey, speaking in an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odeyeeba Kofi Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Thursday, February 16, 2023, said the problem of congestion has been a headache to the managers of the school in recent times.

    He stressed that the of lack of dormitories coupled with the lack of furniture needs immediate attention.

    He said because of this, parents are compelled to provide plastic chairs for their wards to serve as furniture for studying.

    He explained that the situation is worrying, adding that the number of students posted to the school continues to rise without accompanying infrastructure.

    Assigning reasons for the rising population of the school, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Mr. Eric Tetteh, said it was the school’s performance in the 2020 and 2021 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    According to him, over the past couple of years, the school has become attractive to parents because of its academic performance.

    He further said the aforementioned, in addition to the school’s performance in the last National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition, has exacerbated the problem of the school as parents and old students continue to push for the admission of their wards.

    He stressed that this feat was achieved by the provision of a state-of-the-art science laboratory by the Ministry of Education.

    The school, he explained, now has a population of about 2,847 students pursuing various academic subjects.

    He added he had visited the school on three occasions to assess the situation and very soon the ministry would come to the aid of the school.

    The MCE refused to add timelines to the promise but assured that the attention of the sector minister has been drawn to the problem of the school and remedial steps will be taken promptly.

    “I have promised not to sleep over the matter because I am an old boy of the school,” he concluded.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Nadia Buari & her sister jam to Stonebwoy’s More of You

    Nadia Buari & her sister jam to Stonebwoy’s More of You

    Talented Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari and her gorgeous sister Samera Buari have been spotted having a good time as they displayed their beautiful dance moves in a video.

    Rocking similar outfits, they were spotted dancing to Stonebwoy’s latest single, ‘More of You’.

    They sang word for word to the song as they threw their hands in the air and whined their waist in the video.

    Nadia Buari’s followers on Instagram have complimented their dance skills, as many admire how cute they looked in the video.

    Other fans also admired the beautiful chemistry and bond Nadia shares with her sister, which is rare in some families.

    Watch the video below of Nadia Buari and Samera dancing.

    Ghanaians react to Nadia Buari and sister Samera Buari dancing to Stonebwoy’s ‘More of You’

    taylor.mcbenjamin said:

    More of you both.

    _austinebanks said:

    She made the jam worth listening to

    abenasakaa commented:

    Good jam

    dumanyojustine stated:

    Too much beauty Gidigba Bhim

    laminesock commented saying:

    Nice family creation❤️

    monicdell19 stated:

    I love this

    dre_hillz stated:

    The cutest ❤️

    fortune_babiie commented saying:

    Wow❤️❤️❤️

    a.a.j.construction remarked:

    He’s screaming wine pun d rhythm, and you all be gesticulating show the backsides, chaiii

    maggie_junegirl stated:

    Wooow

    melodymac_melody commented saying:

    Lovely moment ❤️

    shelter_blaze stated:

    Beautiful ladies

  • MP condemns UG’s posture in the wake of court’s verdict on new accommodation policy

    MP condemns UG’s posture in the wake of court’s verdict on new accommodation policy

    A Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak is concerned about what he described as an apparent willful contempt of a court ruling regarding the status of students in one of the institution’s traditional halls.

    The court order comes after months of court proceedings which commenced in 2022 as the plaintiff [Some residents of Commonwealth Hall] petitioned an Accra High Court on the University’s new policy. According to the court order, an injunction has been placed on the University’s new policy until a final determination of the case.

    However, there has been silence from the Management in the wake of the injunction.

    Dr. Apaak, while speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show stipulated that the posturing of the University Management in the wake of the court’s verdict is disrespectful to the law, in that it has still not taken proactive measures to reverse the policy.

    “We fail to understand why the University Management has not shown respect and acted accordingly. Because the injunction was granted days, way before what occurred yesterday. So the question then is why did the University Management fail to act on the injunction by putting in place the needed mechanism to ensure that as the court indicated, that the old arrangement should be upheld pending the hearing of the substantive case?

    “So it is now clear that the University deliberately chose not to respect the court’s decision. What they’ve done is to go and bring the Police to intentionally harass students,” he said.

    The ranking member who had once been a resident of the Commonwealth Hall said that the University authorities are not setting a good example for students by failing to obey the laws.

    A former Junior Common Room (JCR) President of Commonwealth Hall, Bernard Oduro Takyi has also argued that, it is worrying for “Professors and Doctors of the academic environment” who are the authorities, to disregard court orders, adding that they’re tainting the excellent image of the University.

    Explaining further, Mr. Takyi said that the aggrieved students could have resorted to the use of violence in addressing their issues but chose to seek lawful proceedings. Therefore it is disturbing for professionals themselves to act contrary to laid down procedures.

    He added that the University Management should seek redress rather than be silent, if it feels the court erred in its verdict.

    Following another clash between Commonwealth Hall and the Mensah Sarbah Hall, the University Management decided to revoke the residential status of all the students and turn Commonwealth Hall, which is a hall for boys only, into a mixed-sex hall.

    Some old students of the hall have criticised the policy of the University Management, saying the approach would affect innocent individuals. Other academicians have also expressed disapproval of the policy, saying that the resort to such mechanisms is an indication of Management’s consistent ineptitude in devising robust mechanisms to identify culprits of such incidents.

    Meanwhile, in the wake of the injunction which has been met with utter silence from the UG’s Management, students took to picket at the Commonwealth Hall to drum home their request to be given back their rooms. They were met by Police guards who had to use force to repel the crowd.

    Dr. Apaak has indicated that he intends to present the issue to the Education Committee of Parliament in order to resolve it.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Stop: Lydia Forson cautions fans who sneak to take videos of her

    Stop: Lydia Forson cautions fans who sneak to take videos of her

    Talented Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has warned her fans to desist from sneaking videos and pictures of her using public washrooms and sharing such content on social media.

    According to her, she has lost count of the times fans have recorded her using public washrooms in places such as restaurants.

    Expressing her displeasure at fans who are fond of that, she noted that it is wrong behaviour.

    “Imagine I did this to you and posted on the internet? Not cool,” she emphasised in her statement.

    In a separate tweet, she urged her fans to politely ask for a picture or video from her when they meet her in public spaces.

    She added that when fans ask politely, she might be willing to take a few pictures or videos with them.

    She concluded her message by saying she might not always be in the mood to take pictures. Hence fans should understand that she is human and has bad days too.

    Ghanaians share their thoughts on Lydia Forson’s plight

    @AmarexJay:

    The life of a celebrity to the public means something else. It is time people separate the two. Even in encryption or algorithm, we have the public key and private key. Fans know the difference. Don’t mind us ok. The Lord is your shepherd.

    @OkAtiemo:

    For “sneak pictures”, we understand, but for “next time”, we won’t understand ooo eeeei we don’t know when we will meet you again

    @ForsonQuainoo:

    We are sorry, name. But please, when you realise we are your fans, spare some seconds and take pics with us, so we post ‘proper’ ones. We will really appreciate that

  • Anglican Church makes amends for involvement in slavery; commits £100m

    Anglican Church makes amends for involvement in slavery; commits £100m

    The Anglican Church wants to make amends for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade many years ago.

    Consequently, the church has pledged a colossal £100 million to Ghana and other countries.

    The money will go into investments in various forms in countries such as Ghana and those in the West Indies.

    The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Justin Portal Welby, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra last Tuesday.

    Most Rev. Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, is in the country to attend the 18th Consultative Council meeting of 165 countries and said one of the issues that the meeting had been discussing was human sexuality and identity.

    In June 2022, a committee established by the church reported for the first time that the Church Commissioners’ endowment had historic links to transatlantic chattel slavery.

    The endowment traces its origins partly to Queen Anne’s Bounty, a fund established in 1704.

    In response to the findings, the Church Commissioners’ Board has committed itself to try to address some of the past wrongs by investing in a better future.

    It will seek to do this through committing £100 million of funding, delivered over the next nine years commencing in 2023, to a programme of investment, research and engagement.

    This will involve new impact investment, grant funding, further research and responsible investment to address and combat modern slavery and human rights violations and to seek to address injustice and inequalities.

    A new oversight group will be formed during 2023 with significant membership from communities impacted by historic slavery.

    This group will work with the Church Commissioners on shaping and delivering the response, listening widely to ensure this work is done sensitively and with accountability.

    Cape Coast

    Archbishop Welby indicated that the team would be visiting Cape Coast to learn together with the First Church Commissioner from Barbados, who runs the Finances of the Church of England and is involved in the decision to commit the 100 million pounds.

    That amount, he said, would impact investment in those countries as a means of sharing their sorrows of the church’s part involvement in slavery.

    “We are the first church to do this on international scale as part of the beginning of a long process of engagement which I trust will go well with the Ghanaian government as well as the governments of West Indies”, he added.

    AU

    President Akufo-Addo, for his part, welcomed the interventions on slavery and said Ghana had taken a forward position on reparation.

    “In fact, I have had it tabled to be an issue of discussion in Addis Abba this weekend at the AU summit, where we are moving for the establishment of an African reparatory programme and commitment”, he added.

    That, he explained, would spearhead the discussion on the matter so that the steps taken by those in Africa would be coherent, well thought out and recognise all the implications.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Put our players on payroll – Assistant coach

    Put our players on payroll – Assistant coach

    Philip Plange, the Greater Accra Tennis Association‘s vice secretary and assistant coach for the Ghana wheelchair tennis team, has urged the government and Ghana Tennis Federation to hire wheelchair tennis players.

    This follows an armed robbery attack on the Ghana wheelchair tennis team in Ogun State, Nigeria, in which three players were injured and several more were only slightly hurt.

    Speaking exclusively to Univers Sports, Philip Plange highlighted some of the challenges bedevilling the Ghana wheelchair tennis team and appealed to the government and the Ghana tennis federation to put their players on the federation’s payroll to lessen their plight.

    “We can say the three main challenges that Ghana wheelchair association is going through is when it comes to travel we struggle to get Visa and financial constraints. The problem is we don’t have money to travel because this one like this we are supposed to go by flight but because there is no money we went by Bus and everything has been left on our coordinator who is Henry Larbi helping us with his own money and currently as it stands the players traveling expenses is on me and our national federation says the money with me is a loan which we don’t know how we are going to pay the money back, it was thousand two hundred” Philip Plange lamented to Univers Sports.

    He therefore made an appeal to the government and the Ghana Tennis Federation to come to their aid.

    “Players will go for a tournament when they come they don’t get anything now that we have returned it is our coordinator who said I should come for money and give it to the players if not nobody is coming to our aid if it continues like this maybe some of them will find themselves at the roadside again which is not a good news so we are appealing to the government to put our players on a payroll and then also let them be recognized by the federation”, He told Univers Sports.

    The team has arrived safely in Ghana following the robbery attack in Nigeria.

  • American singer reaches out to Kuami Eugene for a feature on his unreleased single

    American singer reaches out to Kuami Eugene for a feature on his unreleased single

    Kuami Eugene on Wednesday evening dropped a teaser to his unreleased 2023 single titled ‘Crypto Currency,’ a tune that has been welcomed by music lovers.

    Just a few hours after the announcement of his upcoming single, American singer and actor, Rotimi reached out to him on social media to express his preparedness to feature on the tune which has been tipped to be a hit.

    “Bro @kuamieugene, send me this record ASAP with an open verse! This is MAD,” Rotimi shared on his Instagram story.

    Eugene, nicknamed ‘Rockstar’ gave positive feedback to Rotimi, who is famed for his single ‘In My Bed’.

    Kuami Eugene will not be the first Ghanaian to work with Rotimi as music producer, Nektunez, in 2022 collaborated with him on the song, “Make You Say”.

    Check out the posts below:

  • Rihanna’s 9-month-old baby features as a cover boy for Vogue Magazine

    Rihanna’s 9-month-old baby features as a cover boy for Vogue Magazine

    Barbados-American singer, Rihanna, has showcased her son for the second time since birth.

    This is the baby’s first official public appearance, and interestingly, he was featured in the latest edition of Vogue magazine as a cover boy.

    His parents, Rihanna and Asap Rocky were captured on the front page of the magazine.

    Pictures of the nine-month-old bouncy baby boy flooded the internet amidst massive reactions from netizens who set eyes on him for the first time.

    Earlier on December 17, 2022, the singer shared a video of the baby on TikTok, which accumulated over a million views on the platform in just an hour.

    The video includes heartwarming clips of her son talking in cute baby language, with Rihanna giggling in delight at her son’s adorableness in the background.

    Meanwhile, the baby’s name has still not been officially revealed.

    Check out the post below:

  • Three Ghanaians who have won the Super Bowl

    Three Ghanaians who have won the Super Bowl

    The 57th Super Bowl was played on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in the United States of America.

    RNB Star and Pop
    With her performance that night, Rihanna made headlines, but many people were more interested in the sporting aspect of the event.

    It was the final of the NFL, being contested by Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadephia Eagles. The Chiefs came up tops, beating the Eagles 38-35.

    Here in Ghana, the growing patronage of the Super Bowl was manifested in the dozens who turned up at viewing centers to catch glimpses of the sporting cum entertainment event.

    Those Ghanaian NFL fans would have loved to see a Ghanaian in any of the two teams but the final sport does not historically have a lot of Ghanaian representation.

    Since the first edition was held in 1966, only three players of Ghanaian origin have powered their teams to victory in the Super Bowl

    GhanaWeb gives you a brief profile of the three Ghanaians privileged to have played and won the Super Bowl.

    Charlie Peprah

    Charlie Peprah is the grandson of late head of state, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. His parent relocated to the United States of America during the revolution and that is where his American footballing dreams began.

    Charlie Peprah started his professional football career at the New York Giants in 2006. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 2006 and played for them for two years. He joined the Atalanta Focus in 2009 before another move to Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys in 2012.

    He was a member of the Green Bay team that defeated Pittsburg 31-25 in the 2011 Super Bowl.

    Joseph Addai

    In 2006, Joseph Addai became the 30th overall pick in the National Football League draft. The graduate of Louisiana State University played for six seasons for the Indianapolis Colts.

    A running back in his prime, Joseph Addai played in the Super Bowl whiles on the books of the Indianapolis Colts.

    In 2007 won the Super Bowl XLI with the Colts

    Samuel Asante Snr

    Born in Accra but raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Samuel Asante became the first Ghanaian to win a Super Bowl.

    His team New England Patriots won Super Bowl 38 against the Carolina Panthers in 2004. He won the title again in 2005 when his team beat Philadelphia Eagles in 2005.

    His son, Samuel Asante Jnr has followed his path and also making history in the NFL.

  • Four Ghanaian World Cup absentees Chris Hughton may need

    Four Ghanaian World Cup absentees Chris Hughton may need

    After certain notable players were left off of Otto Addo’s final roster, the announcement of Ghana’s 2022 FIFA World Cup roster in November sparked a popular outcry.

    Many people felt that there were a few names that were left off the team but deserved to be there and were baffled as to why they were not included.

    Chris Hughton is the new manager of the Black Stars, therefore there begins a new era.

    Although Hughton was part of the decision-making regarding the squad announcement, it is believed he will do things differently because the final decision now rests in his bosom now.

    GhanaWeb put together four players who missed out on the World Cup final squad but would be key to Chris Hughton

    Joseph Paintsil

    Joseph Paintsil was dropped from the final squad of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. Ghanaians did not take it lightly because the player was on top form for his club Genk as many believed he deserved a place.

    Paintsil reportedly had his differences with outgone manager Otto Addo and with Chris Hughton taking over, the player could finally get back into the team.

    He is currently the most in-form Ghanaian forward in Europe and could be integral for Hughton.

    Jeffrey Schlupp

    Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp was one of the players whose drop from the final caused a stare.

    Schlupp’s manager vented his anger on social media, implying that his client would not accept any future call-up.

    However, Chris Hughton, who spent all his football career and has spent a chunk of his coaching career in the UK, could reassure Schlupp and lure him back into the squad.

    Schlupp is versatile and would be a great addition to the team.

    Ernest Nuamah

    Ernest Nuamah is a Ghanaian youngster who had a breakthrough in 2022. He made the provisional squad but could not make the final list.

    Nuamah is highly rated and could have his breakthrough under Chris Hughton.

    Ransford-Yeboah

    Hamburger SV winger, Ransford-Yeboah was also one of the big names who could not make the final squad for the World Cup.

    Yeboah switched his nationality to Ghana in June 2022. He was promising in his first few games for Ghana.

    Chris Hughton could count on him as his quality brings a different dimension to the team.

  • Know the Ghana World Cup team members who are currently coaches

    Know the Ghana World Cup team members who are currently coaches

    Ghana made its first Globe Cup debut in 2006, and the Black Stars stunned the world with their roster of gifted players who made an impact in Germany.

    Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Habib Mohammed, Richard Kingston, John Mensah, and other outstanding players played for the Black Stars.

    Almost all of the members of the team are currently retired and concentrating on other endeavours.

    There are a few players who decided not to spend their retirement out of football as they have taken a career path into coaching. Becoming a coach right after football is increasingly becoming the norm for several players who tend to build another legacy in football.

    Some players, who underachieved in their football careers, see the adventure as an avenue to right the wrongs in the quest to reach greater heights that they could not attain while playing.

    On the other hand, those who had successful careers intend to reapply their tricks and impact the game from the touchline.

    Below is a list of players from Ghana’s 2006 World Cup squad who are now coaches

    Sammy Adjei – goalkeepers trainer

    Richard Kingson – goalkeepers trainer

    John Paintsil

    Hans Sarpei

    Eric Addo

    Otto Addo

    Michael Essien

    Matthew Amoah

    Asamoah Gyan

    Razak Pimpong

    Alex Tachie-Mensah

  • Morgan Heritage unveil new visualizer for 2023 single ‘Just a Number’

    Morgan Heritage unveil new visualizer for 2023 single ‘Just a Number’

    Three-times Grammy award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage –– currently comprised of the Trinity: Peetah Morgan, Gramps Morgan, and Mr. Mojo Morgan, all the children of late reggae great and Father of A Nation, the Hon. Ras Denroy Morgan –– unveil a new visualizer for their latest single “Just A Number.”

    A powerful and polemical commentary on the topic of cancel culture, the piece explores the ephemeral nature of modern fame through a succession of public figures who have touched its third rail.

    “In a world where ‘cancel culture’ is present, we need the next generation of talented individuals to be made aware that actions have consequences,” says Mojo Morgan. “As students of history, we know it is better to open minds than to close them. And that’s what we hope to do with this song.”

    The “Just A Number” visualizer comes after the release of the song’s official music video, which you can watch here. The video was directed by Samo (Koffee, Chronixx, Protoje), and filmed at Independence Park (National Stadium) in Kingston, Jamaica.

    Morgan Heritage is prepped to share some exciting news in the coming weeks, stay tuned for more information.

    About Morgan Heritage

    Heralded as the Royal Family of Reggae, Morgan Heritage has released 12 studio albums, including Strictly Roots, which won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. With a career spanning over two decades, Morgan Heritage has worked with numerous multi-GRAMMY award-winning artists and producers across multiple genres of music.

    Along with the group’s global success, they also command a significant sonic impact over the reggae genre, fusing it with various rhythms and sounds from around the world. They bring a riveting stage presence and showmanship to the culture, making them synonymous with Reggae’s worldwide appeal.

  • ‘I get violent when in the spirit’ – Nana Agradaa threatens to slap junior pastor

    ‘I get violent when in the spirit’ – Nana Agradaa threatens to slap junior pastor

    Evangelist Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa of the Heavenway Champion International Ministries, has warned her junior pastors not to get in her way when she is preaching to her congregation.

    In a viral video, Mama Pat threatened to slap one of her male pastors who interrupted her speech during a sermon.

    “Pastor, I will give you a dirty slap. I don’t joke when I am in the spirit, I don’t joke. There’s been a sudden disconnect,” she announced.

    The ‘preacher’ who was displeased with the act, noted that she can get violent when filled with the spirit.

    While operating at full capacity, Mama Pat wants to have maximum concentration with less interruption, as this can cause a sudden disconnect from the spirit.

    She experienced a similar situation when one of her junior pastors got in her way. She announced to the congregation that there was a sudden disconnect.

    Meanwhile, Mama Pat made headlines on Valentine’s Day for flaunting her red bra in a viral video.

    She announced to her social media followers that she was having the best time of her life with her husband on February 14, 2023.

    Watch the videos below:

  • Congratulations to the new Black Stars coach – Goodwill Sports

    Congratulations to the new Black Stars coach – Goodwill Sports

    The Black Stars’ new head coach, Chris Hughton, has been congratulated by Goodwill Sports Ambassador Mr. Ray Quarcoo.

    The Ghana Football Association recently named the former Brighton manager as the Black Stars’ head coach.

    Ambassador Quarcoo, a former vice chairman of the Black Stars welfare committee, congratulated the new head coach of the team: “I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as the new head coach of the Black Stars.”

    “I strongly believe your rich experience in coaching will propel our flagship football brand, the Black Stars, to the pedestal we have always desired it to be.”

    “As a former Black Stars Management Committee member, l urge you to strive for nothing but excellence, be open to constructive criticisms and be your own man.

    “My doors will always be open to you, to brainstorm on how best we can make the Black Stars shine, brighter.

    “I wish you success in your endeavours to gain better outcomes for the Black Stars, to fulfil the great expectations of football-crazy Ghanaians, home and abroad,” concluded the sports envoy, a former president of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF).

  • Chris Hughton might help Ghana win a trophy – Odartey Lamptey

    Chris Hughton might help Ghana win a trophy – Odartey Lamptey

    Nii Odartey Lamptey, a former international for Ghana, has expressed his belief that Chris Hughton will guide the Black Stars to their first major championship since 1982.

    Since the Black Stars’ previous AFCON victory 41 years ago, Ghana has been without a trophy.

    Odartey Lamptey is optimistic that Chris Hughton, a former Irish player, would guide Ghana to victory at the upcoming AFCON now that he has been named the new coach of the Black Stars.

    “We may be right that he [Chris Hughton] is the coach we have been looking for for the past 40 years that the Afcon trophy has eluded us,” he told Asempa FM in an interview.

    According to him, the GFA made the right decision to appoint Chris Hughton as Black Stars’ head coach.

    “It could be that Chris could be the person to lead us to win the trophy but with his appointment, I don’t think it’s a bad decision,” he added.

    “If someone else was appointed, I am sure questions will be raised but for the past year, Chris has been with the team as the technical advisor and even when Otto Addo was named as the head coach of the team, many people felt he should have been given the job but now, he has the opportunity,” he added.

  • Clash of the titans:Afia Schwarzenegger exposes Nana Tonardo ?

    Clash of the titans:Afia Schwarzenegger exposes Nana Tonardo ?

    Screenshots of a conversation disclosing how Tonardo was allegedly trapped into misinforming the public about Afia Schwarzenegger’s purported wedding and second wife allegations have been splashed on the internet.

    Afia Schwarzenegger stormed social media with alleged evidence of a well-orchestrated plan to expose her nemesis, Tonardo, and also to celebrate its success.

    It can be recalled that while reports were rife that Afia Schwarzenegger had gotten married, Nana Tonardo stormed social media with claims that the comedienne is indeed married but as a second wife.

    While claiming of being the ‘exclusive holder’ of details, Tonardo also alleged that Afia blackmailed her way into the marriage and also seized a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado belonging to the first wife of the chief, among others.

    Following this development, Afia in an interview with Takoradi’s Empire FM denied ever getting married, adding that she will address the public at the right time.

    However, in a new twist to events, Afia Schwarzenegger has flooded social media with what she says is a piece of evidence of how she masterminded a conversation between her camp and Tonardo.

    Afia took to Instagram and shared a screenshot of how she fed Tonardo with every bit of detail regarding the purported marriage.

    In essence, every piece of information, including the ‘second wife and seized Toyota Prado’ allegations was provided by Afia Schwarzenegger, in a bid to expose her nemesis, Tonardo.

    This is part of what transpired between Afia (using a fake account) and Tonardo on social media.

    “Anonymous: Afia is a wicked soul and a husband snatcher. She has destroyed a beautiful home because of greed and envy. She got engaged to a chief in Aburi as a second wife. The man did not want to marry her but Afia wanted to blackmail him with an info she has against the man. Now she succeeded in taking the man’s Prado. I will try and convince the woman so she speaks with you.

    Tonardo: Ok. Sure. Thanks.

    Afia Schwarzenegger further alleged that a meeting was structured between Tonardo and a member of her team at Marriot Hotel for more secrets.

    Afia said her team deliberately refused to show up for that meeting just to teach him a lesson.

    She has, however, asked the public to stay tuned for more information regarding their ploy to expose Tonardo.

    Check out the posts below:

  • Michael Essien’s UEFA License A highly praised by Daniel Sturridge

    Michael Essien’s UEFA License A highly praised by Daniel Sturridge

    Former England striker Daniel Sturridge has joined other football legends in congratulating Michael Essien on earning his UEFA License A.

    After finishing the course, Michael Essien was awarded his UEFA License A.

    The Chelsea legend has been doing his coaching attachment with the Danish side, FC Nordsjaelland for the past two years after completing his License B course in 2020.

    Daniel Sturridge congratulated his former Chelsea teammate in a post on social media when wrote, “congrats bro” under Essien’s post.

  • NPP will win 2024 elections amid economic challenges – Owusu Bempah

    NPP will win 2024 elections amid economic challenges – Owusu Bempah

    Deputy Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu Bempah has stated that his party is poised at winning the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections despite the economic hurdles confronting the country.

    Mr. Owusu Bempah expressed optimism that the government, under President Akufo-Addo, will tackle the economic challenges that have arisen as a result of exogenous factors including the Russia-Ukraine war and the outbreak of Covid-19.

    Prior to the emergence of these factors, he said, Ghana was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due to the prudent measures of President Akufo-Addo.

    Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, February 15, Mr. Bempah said “during the Mahama administration, Ghana’s economy was running at a 3 percent growth rate. Under the NPP, before Covid, it was doing 8 percent, that tells you we managed the economy better than the NDC.”

    He added that the “NPP has been able to captain the country through the storm even though there are challenges. One can imagine if Mahama and his NDC were leading this country Ghanaians by now will be wallowing in abject poverty, people wouldn’t be able to afford three square meals a day”.

    “There will be total darkness because of dumsor, joblessness will be the order of the day, and the youth will be perplexed if Mahama had been the leader of this country at this time. Despite all the challenges now, school children are going to school for free, and road networks are being built across the country.”

    “If it had happened during the Mahama era you wouldn’t see all of these, they will blame it on the challenge. But we believe that as a political party before the 2024 elections, these challenges shall pass and NPP will come out united to win the elections and break the 8.

    “The NDC, John Mahama as an alternative is empty. They have been there before when there was no crisis, we saw what they did, and they have nothing better to offer.”

  • $1 is sold at GH¢12.90, GH¢10.80 on interbank market as of Feb. 16

    $1 is sold at GH¢12.90, GH¢10.80 on interbank market as of Feb. 16

    The Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, February 16, 2023, have shown that the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 10.7967 and a selling price of 10.8075.

    As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.7964 and a selling price of 10.8072. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 12.40 and sold at a rate of 12.90.

    Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 12.9496 and a selling price of 12.9636 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 13.1684 and a selling price of 13.1826.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 14.60 and sold at a rate of 15.60.

    The Euro is trading at a buying price of 11.5281 and a selling price of 11.5386 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 11.6174 and a selling price of 11.6280.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.70 and sold at a rate of 13.70.

    The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.5978 and a selling price of 0.5982 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.6044 and a selling price of 0.6050.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.50 and sold at a rate of 1.10.

    The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 42.6269 and a selling price of 42.7435 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 42.6040 and a selling price of 42.6966.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 14.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 19.00.

    Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.

  • Against Wolves, Kamaldeen Sulemana was fantastic – Nathan Jones

    Against Wolves, Kamaldeen Sulemana was fantastic – Nathan Jones

    Nathan Jones, the head coach of Southampton, talked about the role he gave Kamaldeen Sulemana in a league game against Wolves on February 11 at St. Mary’s Stadium.

    Wolves lost 1-2 to Southampton this past weekend in the English Premier League despite playing with 10 men after Mario Lemina was dismissed in the 27th minute.

    Carlos Alcaraz gave the Saints the lead in the 24th minute, but the Wolves went on to win due to Joao Gomes and an own goal from Jan Bednarek.

    Jones was fired after barely three months as Southampton’s head coach, having succeeded Ralph Hassenhuthl.

    “Kamaldeen I thought was excellent…We had Paul (Onuachu) as a focal point and then put Kamaldeen as a floating player that can create and do stuff for other players that are getting into the box,” Jones said at his farewell news conference as head coach of Southampton Football Club.

    Sulemana signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Southampton on 1st February 2023. The 21-year-old made his debut against Brentford.

  • Inaki Williams is ineligible for the Black Stars – Charles Taylor

    Inaki Williams is ineligible for the Black Stars – Charles Taylor

    Charles Taylor, a former Ghanaian international, argues that Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao is not qualified to play for the Black Stars and that the nation cannot rely on him.

    Inaki Williams, who switched from Ghana to the United States in June 2022, has played for the Black Stars in six matches, including three during the Qatar-hosted FIFA World Cup, but he has failed to score a goal in any of them.

    And according to Charles Taylor, Spain had the option of selecting either of the Williams brothers for their national squad, but they chose just Nico since they thought Inaki wasn’t good enough.

    “We always want to rely on foreign-based Ghanaian players, but the question is how many of these foreign-based players are starters in their respective clubs?

    “We just like cheap things, and rejected goods seem to be our priority. It really pains me that some journalists were saying all our problems were solved after securing players like Inaki Williams,” he said on Kumasi-based Akoma FM.

    He added that Inaki Williams cannot save the Black Stars and Ghana should have taken a lesson from the Europeans who didn’t fight to keep him as they did with his brother Nico.

    “I only smile and also see such journalists as people whose understanding of football knowledge is suspect.”

    “How can our Black Stars be saved because we have Inaki Williams? Do we have better eyes than the Europeans? His gameplay cannot guarantee us any proper title.”

  • Ghana Cedi projected to end the year at GHC13 to a dollar

    Ghana Cedi projected to end the year at GHC13 to a dollar

    Market watchers are optimistic about the cedi’s year-long prospects, with analysts at the research arm of RMB Africa projecting the currency to end 2023 at around GH¢13 to US$1.

    If attained, it will represent a significant improvement over the cedi’s performance in 2022 – when it depreciated by 30 percent against the US dollar, according to the Bank of Ghana (BoG), compared with the 4.1 percent dip in 2021.

    The cedi’s performance is closely tied to the country’s efforts to secure a US$3billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and recent developments have brought the country closer to this goal. According to analysts, confidence in the local market is expected to rebound later in the year; which could bode well for the local unit.

    “We expect confidence in the local market to resume, which could be supportive of the currency later in the year. Our base case is for the cedi to end the year at levels closer to US$/GH¢13.1,” RMB Africa said.

    RMB expects the cedi to firm-up in the second half of the year, as it believes that approval from the IMF is likely to be achieved in the second quarter of 2023 – with the first IMF disbursement following soon after – due to the outstanding renegotiation of external debt after suspending interest payments on its Eurobonds.

    Already, government has initiated discussions to create an official creditor committee with holders of its external debt, including bilateral lenders, with support from the Paris Club.

    In the interim it is anticipated that there will be minor fluctuations due to the pockets of uncertainty, but nothing erratic is expected.

    Despite the cedi posting a mixed performance against the major trading currencies and across the market segments last week – unchanged against the US$ from the previous week, gaining 1.2 percent versus the euro and dipping marginally relative to the British pound (GBP) on the interbank reference market.

    It however regressed by 1.2 percent versus the US$ on the retail market, but appreciated against the euro and the GBP last week.

    This, GCB Capital Limited’s (GCL) research team says, is attributable to suspension of the external debt servicing as well as the muted activity in secondary bonds market amid the prevailing uncertainty.

    “We envisage depreciation risks from speculative activity, as the FX market remains highly uncertain and news-sensitive,” it added earlier this week.

    Inasmuch as some hurdles remain, analysts are cautiously optimistic about the cedi’s prospects and some are already positioning themselves for a potential recovery in the currency.

    On Tuesday, the Finance Ministry announced that its Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) had received acceptance from approximately 85 percent of bondholders; an essential step in securing the IMF bailout.

    Data from the ministry finance reveals that the educational infrastructure-focused Daakye bonds recorded the highest participation rate, followed by Government of Ghana (GoG) and ESLA bonds.

    Of the GH¢1.45billion worth of eligible Daakye bonds, GH¢1.36billion, representing 93.89 percent, were tendered. GoG bonds recorded an 85.19 percent participation as GH¢77.98billion in old bonds were tendered from a stock of GH¢91.53billion. With the ESLA bonds, investors were willing to exchange GH¢3.66billion, or 76.66 percent, from a total of GH¢4.77billion.

  • In the first round, we fell short of our goal – Kotoko PROV. Obeng Nyarko

    In the first round, we fell short of our goal – Kotoko PRO
    V. Obeng Nyarko

    The Porcupine Warriors missed their goal at the conclusion of the first round of games in the Ghana Premier League, according to Asante Kotoko‘s director of communications, David Obeng.

    On Sunday, February 12, 2023, Asante Kotoko lost to Dreams FC 2-0 at the Dawu Sports Stadium during match week 17.

    “It’s true that the first round is over; we started out winning, but sadly, we lost our last game.
    Although we didn’t reach our goal, with 27 points so far, we are still in a strong position to compete for the Ghana Premier League championship.

    “So the second round will provide us with the perfect opportunity to improve our performance towards winning the Premier League,” David Obeng said on Peace FM as monitored by Footballghana.com

    The Kumasi-based club is fourth on the Ghana Premier League table with 27 points after 17 games.

  • Ghana is suffering the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes- Kofi Bentil

    Ghana is suffering the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes- Kofi Bentil

    Lawyer Kofi Bentil has described the current economic malaise Ghana is suffering as “the worst economic catastrophe of our lifetimes.”

    He believes that the president needs to act decisively on same by making radical changes especially at the Ministry of Finance, where he wants all the political leadership led by minister Ken Ofori-Atta removed.

    Bentil in a February 10, 2023 post on Facebook lamented the fact that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s posturing on the economy signalled that he was not taking the economic downturn seriously.

    He also advanced the view that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in his capacity as the head of the Economic Management Team be seconded to take charge of the ministry and by that talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “Appoint the VP and head of EMT to take direct charge of the ministry of Finance and lead the efforts with the IMF and the Bond holders etc.” his post read in part.

    He averred that the removal of “political leadership of the Ministry of Finance” should be on condition that all relieved appointees “continue to work behind the scenes to help resolve the mess they created.”

    Ghana is currently hoping to secure an IMF bailout to help save the economy from collapse amid rising inflation, rapid depreciation of the cedi against the US dollar and credit downgrades by international rating agencies.

    Government only recently concluded subscription of a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) which saw an 85% official subscription rate.

    The DDEP is said to be a core condition that could help Ghana get approval of the IMF board after a Staff-Level Agreement was reached last December.

    Minister Ofori-Atta is due to appear before Parliament to give answers to lawmakers on the DDEP.

    Read Kofi Bentil’s full post:

    Mr President,

    If it’s serious, treat it like it is!!

    You have changed nothing in the economic leadership of Ghana despite the worst economic catastrophe in our lifetimes!! It reflects very poorly on you.

    Please consider this to show seriousness.

    1. Appoint the VP and head of EMT to take direct charge of the ministry of Finance and lead the efforts with the IMF and the Bond holders etc.

    2. Remove the whole political leadership of the Ministry of Finance but let them continue to work behind the scenes to help resolve the mess they created.

    If it’s serious l, treat it like it is!!! The same thinking which created the problem won’t solve it!!!

  • Thomas Partey misses Arsenal’s game against Manchester City

    Thomas Partey misses Arsenal’s game against Manchester City

    Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey has been repeatedly disqualified from playing for Arsenal against Manchester City in the English Premier League.

    2022/2023
    The defending champions, Manchester City, will be the guests of the English Premier League’s leaders on Wednesday, February 15, at the Emirates Stadium.

    The Gunners must win the match without Thomas Partey in order to maintain their league-leading position with three points separating them from Manchester City.

    Arsenal haven’t lost at home with Thomas Partey in the line-up and it seems the Gunners will have to do it without their main man in midfield.

    “No Thomas Partey tonight. Huge blow for Arsenal. Big night for Jorginho,” Charles Watts, Arsenal’s correspondent for goal.com tweeted.

    Thomas Partey’s advance is expected to be filled by Italian international, Jorginho who joined Arsenal on the transfer deadline day in 2023 from rival club Chelsea.

  • World Cup is my finest level of football experience – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    World Cup is my finest level of football experience – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    Kamaldeen Sulemana, a forward for Southampton, has discussed the differences between competing in the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

    The World Cup, a global competition that draws a sizable audience, is the pinnacle of football, according to the Ghanaian international.

    Sulemana, who previously played for FC Nordsjaelland, also noted that participating in the World Cup is an invaluable experience that can help players develop their skills. He expressed his desire to feature in more international matches in the future.

    Speaking on Peace FM, Sulemana said, “My first tournament with Ghana was the Afcon, and it is so different from the World Cup. The World Cup is a whole different game. It was a big experience for me and a lot to learn from. It is a great honour.”

    He added, “We are about 30 million people in the country, and being chosen to represent Ghana is a great honour. Once you are on the pitch, there is no holding back. You give your all because there are so many people looking up to you and depending on you, so there is a bit of pressure there.”

    Sulemana also emphasized the importance of rising to the challenge of playing at the highest level and the positive impact it can have on a player’s performance.

    “We do our best, and with pressure, we get out of our comfort zones. So, it is a great honour to play for the national team, and I am looking forward to playing more with them,” he said.

  • DDEP: Ofori-Atta appears before Parliament today

    DDEP: Ofori-Atta appears before Parliament today

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will appear before Parliament today Thursday, February 16, 2023, to respond to concerns from Ghanaians concerning government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

    This follows a directive by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to the Business Committee of the House to summon the Finance Minister to give a policy brief on the programme due to the ongoing picketing at the Finance Ministry by pensioner bondholders for an exemption from the programme.

    Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin presenting the business statement of Parliament last Friday said it was necessary for the Minister to appear before Parliament to provide answers to questions raised by constituents of members of the House.

    “Mr. Speaker, on the issue of the DDEP, pursuant to your directive, we engaged the Finance Minister, and we have his assurance to be here on Thursday, February 16, 2023,” the Deputy Majority Leader said.

    The programme has faced stiff opposition from groups and individuals since its announcement.

    The Ministry of Finance however said it has achieved 85% of its target under the programme.

    Meanwhile, members of the Pensioner Bondholders who are demanding an exemption, say they would be in Parliament to witness proceedings.

    “We had information that Parliament was trying to get the minister to Parliament. We have also heard that the meeting was scheduled for Thursday. Because we are not going to converge on the day, we will go to Parliament to see what is happening there,” the Convener for the Pensioner Bondholders, Dr. Adu Anane Antwi said.

    The Finance Minister on February 15, 2023, engaged the pensioner bondholders but was cut short as a social activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor interrupted the meeting.

    Source: Citinewsroom

  • The hospitality sector is urged to provide customers with cocoa goods in order to add value

    The hospitality sector is urged to provide customers with cocoa goods in order to add value

    Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Mr Akwasi Agyeman has urged actors in the hospitality industry value chain to prioritise cocoa products in serving their clients to increase national consumption.

    “Everybody within the value chain is encouraged to start selling and serving chocolate and cocoa based products at their facilities,” he said Mr Agyeman said the industry must leverage the rich cocoa products, whip up interest, and create a solid market share and wealth for the country.

    He said this during a cocoa health walk as part of the National Chocolate Week celebration to create awareness on consumption.

    The Chief Executive Officer said most facilities only served tea and coffee, adding that “now we want them to add cocoa products on a larger scale.”

    He said the facilities were selling around 20 per cent of the entire cocoa products, and GTA together with other stakeholders had created awareness to ensure they understood agenda.

    “We can produce more in Ghana and as tourism people let’s sell cocoa, let’s chocolate. Let’s promote consumption to push Ghana’s per Capita consumption beyond 1kg.

    Mr Fiifi Boafo, Public Affairs Manager, COCOBOD, said the cocoa consumption campaign was to ensure that citizens stayed healthy and helped grow the country as they consume more.

    He said the processing of cocoa products would expand if consumption increased, leading to a reduction in the cost of operation and price.

    Mr Boafo said: “Just in 2017, Ghana had per capita consumption of 0.5kg, however, the figure had doubled and national campaign and exercises like this had driven us to that point.”

    He said the expectation at the end of this year’s campaign was to make everyone in the country to know of the need to consume chocolate products.

    The products would be given out for free at the airport and some bus terminals whilst some would be sold at the Chocolate City, Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, Accra.

    “We’ll be in some churches to give chocolate products and sensitise them about the need to consume chocolate products.”

    The health walk which started from Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge brought together traditional leaders, officials and staff of COCOBOD, GTA and allied institutions ended with aerobics.

  • DDEP: Engagement with pensioners end abruptly as Barker-Vormawor clash with Ofori-Atta

    DDEP: Engagement with pensioners end abruptly as Barker-Vormawor clash with Ofori-Atta

    Talks with pensioners who had gathered at the Ministry of Finance premises ended abruptly following an altercation between the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Pensioner bondholders who picketed at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, may have heaved a sigh of relief when the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta stepped out to engage them for the second time since they started picketing.

    However, the interaction between the minister and the pensioners, who are demanding complete exemption from the government’s just-ended Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), ended abruptly due to an exchange between Mr Ofori-Atta and an activist.

    A convener of #FIxTheCountryMovement, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor on the day had showed up to solidarize with the pensioners who had been picketing at the ministry since February 6.

    The minister sought to explain to the picketers that they may as well be engaging in a futile enterprise as the exchange programme has already ended. He added that while government remained committed to honour all bonds even though they had opted to self-exempt from the DDEP, which was voluntary.

    Midway through his engagement with the pensioners, Barker-Vormawor who was displeased with the minister’s explanation interjected saying that the people of Ghana had lost trust in the minister.

    Ken Ofori-Atta in reaction to the interjection questioned the activist about the basis of his statement and reason for joining the picketing.

    The minister who was incensed by the actions of the activist subsequently abandoned his interaction with the pensioners and returned to his office.

    The #FixTheCountry convener however justified his actions to the media saying “It is important because our conversation has been about building a protest culture. A culture where persons affected by public policy decisions by political officers do not sit aside but raise their voice and match that voice with the determination to show up when it matters.

    “When these things are happening, it is also important that persons are inspired by this in the spirit of resilience. So with what these pensioners have shown, it is important that we the young ones also show up for them by mobilizing people to carry forward the message of resistance expressed even with their age”, Barker-Vormawor emphasized the basis for his action.

    Meanwhile, the Pensioner Bondholders Forum has condemned the actions of the #FixTheCountry group.

    Speaking to the media after the exchange between the minister and the activist, a representative of the pensioners expressed disappointment in Barker-Vormawor.

    “I told them that if you want to come and support my course you come and do what I am doing. When you come and I am weeping you don’t come and dance,” he said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Black Queens to leave Accra Friday for friendly against Benin and Togo

    Black Queens to leave Accra Friday for friendly against Benin and Togo

    At the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram, 34 Black Queens have gathered in preparation for this month’s international friendly against Togo and Benin.

    Princella Adubea from FC Hiryat in Israel, Evelyn Badu from Avaldsnes FC in Norway, Captain Portia Boakye from Djurgardens IF in Sweden, and Azumah Bugre from IFK Norkoping in Sweden are four players who are stationed abroad and arrived on Monday to get ready for the games.

    Safiatu Salifu (Tanzania), Naomi Anima (Jordan), Jaqueline Opoku (Israel), and Janet Egyir, who is based in Israel, are also in camp together with the other players that were carefully chosen from the Twenty (20) Women’s Premier League clubs in Ghana.

    The team have had two intensive training sessions, Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon with all players taking part.

    Coach Nora Häuptle’s side will depart Accra on Friday for Cotonou where they will take on Benin on Sunday, February 19 before locking horns with Togo on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

  • IEA increases oil demand projection as a result of China’s opening

    IEA increases oil demand projection as a result of China’s opening

    The International Energy Agency (IEA) has sharply raised its forecast for global crude oil demand because of the prospect of stronger economic growth in China.

    In the first three months of the year, demand should be 500,000 industry-standard barrels – each containing 159 litres – per day higher than previously assumed, according to the monthly report of the association of leading industrialized countries published in Paris on Wednesday.

    For the whole year, the IEA expects an increase of 2 million barrels per day to an average of 101.9 million barrels per day.

    In the report the IEA points to the end of the coronavirus measures in China which had weighed heavily on the world’s second-largest economy last year and slowed demand for crude oil.

    China’s opening up should provide a “welcome boost to the entire global economy,” the report says, adding that the country is “poised to resume its established role as the primary driver of global oil demand growth.”

    Despite arguably growing demand in China, the IEA believes there will be too much supply in the global crude market in the first half of the year.

    Even Russia’s 500,000 barrels per day cut in production from March, which was announced in response to Western sanctions, will not  prevent the oversupply on the world market, the report found.

  • Why Addai Nimoh became an MP despite his quiet nature

    Why Addai Nimoh became an MP despite his quiet nature

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Francis Addai-Nimoh, has disclosed reasons why he was elected Member of Parliament despite his quiet nature.

    He says even though he is naturally a quiet person, it is still in his nature to fight for his rights and what is deemed right.

    He said being quiet and gentle has never prevented him from going after the things he wants.

    According to an adomonline.com report, the former MP described himself as a very focused, result-oriented person who always gets things done despite his personality.

    He believes aggression is not really a requirement for achieving.

    To buttress his point, Mr. Addai-Nimoh, recounted a response he gave his friend, the current Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, some years back about his quiet nature.

    “I remember one time, my very good friend who is an MP; he is the Minister for Health. We were in parliament one day and he asked me why I became an MP even with my quiet nature, I also replied him that I want to leave Mampong and contest him at Dormaa Central and if he agrees, then we go ahead. I told him after giving me the chance, he will know whether I am quiet or not and we all laughed,” he said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • My love for Kotoko prevented me from travelling overseas – Rev. Osei Kofi

    My love for Kotoko prevented me from travelling overseas – Rev. Osei Kofi

    One of the greatest players to have ever represented the Black Stars was the former great Rev. Osei Kofi of Ghana.

    The playmaker, who during his youth was head and shoulders above his contemporaries, never played for a team outside of Ghana despite receiving numerous offers.

    In the 1960s and 1970s, he was the talk of most Ghanaian football fans and spent his whole playing career with Asante Kotoko.

    According to the nimble-footed Osei Kofi, his love for Asante Kotoko prevented him from traveling outside the country to seek greener pastures.

    Speaking in an interview with Asanteman FM, the former Ghana great revealed why he opted to stay with Kotoko despite the allure of traveling abroad.

    “I had a lot of offers from different European clubs but I refused to go because of the love for Asante Kotoko,” the player tagged as a dribbling wizard by FIFA said.

    Meanwhile, Rev. Osei Kofi has declared that he is Ghana’s Greatest Footballer of All Time (GOAT).

    “I am now the GOAT in Ghana now.

    “I always feel proud being a Ghanaian, although I’m not sometimes being recognised,” Rev. Osei Kofi said.

    He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, as Ghana won the tournament for a second time.

    He was the joint top goalscorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations and he was the third-highest scorer in the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • Pele was my hero during my playing days – Rev. Osei Kofi

    Pele was my hero during my playing days – Rev. Osei Kofi

    During his playing career as a footballer, former Ghanaian legend Rev. Osei Kofi claimed that he looked up to the late Brazilian icon Pele.

    He played for Asante Kotoko his entire career and was beloved by the majority of Ghanaian football fans in the 1960s and 1970s.

    In 1965, the Ghanaian legend assisted both Asante Kotoko and Ghana in capturing their respective first African Cup of Nations championships.

    He spent the entirety of his career in Ghana playing for Asante Kotoko although he also had spells with Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Real Republicans.

    Speaking in an interview with Asanteman FM, the former Ghana great revealed that he idolized three time World Cup winner Pele.

    “The late Pele was my idol during my playing days. The late CK Gyampi encouraged me to become a very good player,” Rev. Osei Kofi added.

    He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, as Ghana won the tournament for a second time.

    He was the joint top goalscorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations and he was the third-highest scorer in the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • Dr Kwaku Oteng’s first wife flaunts garage on social media

    Dr Kwaku Oteng’s first wife flaunts garage on social media

    ADONKO boss, Dr Kwaku Oteng, known for his business acumen, has become a subject of discussion on social media following the surprise appearance of his first wife, Nana Yaa, in a video that has since gone viral. The couple, known for their privacy, were filmed at their luxurious mansion surrounded by an impressive collection of high-end vehicles, including a Rolls Royce, G-Wagon, Maybach, and several other powerful cars.

    The video, which has attracted over 100k views on Instagram alone, appears to have been released to mark Nana Yaa’s birthday and is a rare glimpse into the lives of the couple. Although she is not active on social media, the first lady of the Adonko Empire has a significant influence, as social media users have only heard of her name but had no clue about her identity.

    Dr Kwaku Oteng, on the other hand, recently disclosed in an interview that he has lost count of the total number of cars he owns, which he said is about 99% for his numerous businesses and not for personal use. He also revealed that the Rolls Royce is his

  • 372,780 BECE candidates placed; 165, 619 to do self-placement

    372,780 BECE candidates placed; 165, 619 to do self-placement

    A total of 538,399 of the 547,329 candidates who took the 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) qualified for the Computerised School Selection Placement (CSSPS) in Senior High and Technical and Vocational Schools this year.

    A total of 372,780 students, representing 69.24 per cent of the qualified students have been automatically placed in one of their school choices, while 165, 619 candidates, representing 30,76 per cent, who could not be matched with any of their choices, are to do self-placement to select from available schools.

    Candidates for the self-placement module are to select a school from the portal by providing their region, residential preference, school, and programme of choice, click on submit, print the form, and visit the school to begin the admission process.

    The candidates are to note that schools selected on the self-placement portal can be changed as many times as the candidate wishes on the portal until they enrol in a school.

    Dr Eric Nkansah, the Director General, GES, announced this at a press conference in Accra and said, in line with the 2023 academic calendar, the first-year students were to report to school on February 20, 2023, for registration and orientation for academic work to start on February 27, 2023.

    Touching on grievance mechanisms, Dr Nkansah said “solution centres” had been set up at the national level at the Ghana National Association of Teachers Hall, Adabraka, and all the Regional Education Offices across the country to address concerns of students.

    “Our social media handles are available for individuals to report any grievances, and our staff will respond as soon as practicable.

    “Students or parents can call the toll free number- 0302987654, for their concerns to be addressed,” he said.

    Dr Nkansah cautioned parents and guardians to report unscrupulous people, who may approach them to pay any amount of money for placement, to the police.

    As part of measures to curb placement infractions, Dr Nkansah said the Service had strengthened its internal controls to double check the integrity of the system.

    The Director-General advised heads of all schools to stick to the approved prospectus and urged parents to cooperate with the school authorities during and after the admission processes.

    He said the Service, in collaboration with the Regional Directors of Education, had developed one homogeneous prospectus for the schools.

    Mr David Prah, Deputy Director General, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service, said 36,000 candidates had been placed in technical and vocational schools to train their creative skills for the country’s development.

    The candidates are to obtain a placement pin code from an approved vendor, log onto www.cssps.gov.gh, enter the 10-digit index number and add 22 as the year of completion, enter the serial number and pin code details, click submit, print the forms, and visit the school to begin the admission process.

    The 2022 BECE commenced on Monday, October 17, and the West African Examination Council released the results on January 25, 2023.

    The CSSPS became operational in September 2005, to address challenges from the manual system of selection and placement.

    The system places students transiting from the Junior High Schools to Senior High Schools, Senior High Technical Schools and Technical and  Vocational Institutes.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Goalkeeper Richard Baidoo suspended for misconduct

    Goalkeeper Richard Baidoo suspended for misconduct

    Richard Baidoo, the goalkeeper for FC Samartex 1996, has been suspended for what they consider excessive misconduct. The team is a newcomer to the Ghana Premier League.

    The former Hearts of Oak goalie has been kicked from the team by the organisation after receiving an indefinite suspension.

    An official statement from the club read: “Management has taken the decision to indefinitely, suspend player, Richard Baidoo for acts of indiscipline, insubordination, and consistently flouting provisions in his contract with FC Samartex. The player has gone AWOL since 08/02/2023,”

    Baidoo is not the only player in hot waters as two of his teammates Eric Bosomtwi and Gabriel Bonnah have also been referred to the club’s Disciplinary Committee.

    ”Again, Messrs Eric Bosomtwi and Gabriel Bonnah have been referred to the FC Samartex 1996 Disciplinary Committee having been charged with acts of indiscipline and insubordination against Management and Technical team,” the FC Samartex statement added.

  • Lands Minister calls for negotiations on controversial Ramsar Site impasse

    Lands Minister calls for negotiations on controversial Ramsar Site impasse

    In an effort to find a peaceful resolution to the Ramsar site dispute, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor has encouraged the Nungua Traditional Council and all parties concerned to maintain moderation.

    Addressing the Chiefs and Elders of the Nungua Traditional Council on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the Lands Minister called for a cease-fire from all the parties and assured that the Ministry is working assiduously to find quick solution to the matter.

    He assured that the Ministry is working to ensure that a mutually-satisfying resolution will be reached.

    He also appealed to the council to keep faith in the Ministry and give the government its full support as it mediates the various issues relative to the Ramsar site.

    Samuel Abu Jinapor explained that the Akufo-Addo administration is on a path to regularize all state lands and that in a matter of weeks, the challenge pertaining to the Sakumono Ramsar site will be amicably solved.

    According to him, the core area marked as the Ramsar site has international and environmental significance and for that matter will continue to serve the purpose for which it was earmarked.

    He, however, warned that whiles discussions are ongoing to bring finality to the matter, nobody should be seen to be undertaking any form of activities on any part of the lands.

    He indicated that a taskforce from the Greater Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has been tasked with the responsibility of protecting the area and that a taskforce will be commissioned to shield the place from all kinds of encroachment.

    Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister bemoaned the encroachment of government lands in the region and vowed that initiate measures to protect the lands.

    He explained that there are security concerns and that his outfit will work with the Ministry of Lands to ensure that peace prevails.

    The Paramount Chief of Nungua Traditional Area, King Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, commended the timely intervention of government and praised the Ministry for being candid and forthright with the council.

    He said the council is deeply concerned with the encroachment of the lands and will work with the state to address the challenges.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Angry Arsenal supporters criticise injured players Partey and Edde Nketiah

    Angry Arsenal supporters criticise injured players Partey and Edde Nketiah

    Arsenal supporters are taking aim at Thomas Partey and Eddie Nketiah because they think the Ghanaians are to blame for their team’s Premier League loss to Manchester City on February 16, 2023.

    Following a thigh injury that Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta believes to be preventative, Thomas Partey was forced to leave the game.

    On the other hand, Eddie Nketiah was careless during the game and squandered some obvious opportunities that were offered to him.

    On social media, Arsenal fans are fuming as they believe the performance would have been better had Partey been in the side. They are frustrated that the Ghanaian midfielder always seems to sustain injuries in the most serious parts of the season.

    Nketiah on the other hand has been put on blast for wasting the chances that many believe a good striker should have scored.

    They hold that for a team that is challenging for the title, Arsenal cannot have Eddie Nketiah missing those great opportunities.

    They are praying and hoping for Gabriel Jesus’ quick return from the injury he sustained at the World Cup and speedy recovery for Thomas Partey.

    Manchester City leapfrogged Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League table with 3-1 victory over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.

    Kevin De Bruyne scored first to put Manchester City ahead but Buakayo Saka pulled parity via the spot before Grealish and Haaland pounced on mistakes by Arsenal to win the game.

    City are now top of the league via goal difference with both teams having 51 points each.

  • Partey’s absence cost Arsenal in Man City game

    Partey’s absence cost Arsenal in Man City game

    On February 15, when Manchester City was in town, Arsenal had a difficult night at home as they lost convincingly.

    Following a 3–1 loss to Pep Guardiola’s team, Mikel Arteta watched as his team slid to second in the Premier League standings.

    Thomas Partey, a player for Ghana, got injured and was replaced by new signing Jorginho in the midfield.

    De Bruyne’s opener came from an awful Tomiyasu back-pass, whiles Bukayo Saka restored parity from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was fouled in the City box.

    City restored their lead through Jack Grealish before Erling Haaland sealed the three points that took City back to the summit of the league, the first time since November 2022.

    The impact of Partey’s absence has divided opinions among social media users. Whiles some insisted Jorginho discharged himself creditably, others disagreed insisting Partey was missed.

    Speaking in the post-match interview, the Arsenal coach rued missed chances by his charges. “It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level they require you to play to have a chance to win.

    “I thought in many moments we did and we had them, but if you give three goals the way we did and don’t put away the big chances we had, then the margin for error is almost zero. It’s a shame because we really had them.

    “I don’t know if it’s experience or bad luck. I’ve never seen Tomiyasu make that pass back in seven years and he did it today. It’s part of it and they have the quality to punish you.”

    When asked how difficult it will be to pick his players up after such a morale-sapping defeat, Arteta added: “We have to pick [up] the points, because the performances are there for sure. Games are decided in the boxes and we have given too much away today and weren’t ruthless enough to convert our chances. That’s what we have to improve.

    “Psychologically there is a marathon still out there. I said it three months ago and I said it today, it’s about tomorrow. The most important thing is how we are tomorrow and focus on that because the rest, we don’t know what is going to happen.”

    The Gunners travel to Villa Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they look to get back to winning ways.

  • NPP shades Mahama over ‘corruption collaborators’ jibe

    NPP shades Mahama over ‘corruption collaborators’ jibe

    Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has defended the current administration over some corruption allegations leveled against them by former president John Dramani Mahama.

    Ahiagbah in a quoted tweet ‘defended’ the anti-corruption credentials of the president stating thus: “At least President Akufo-Addo is clear about his incorruptibility.”

    Mahama via social media posts dated February 15, 2023 made the corruption collaborators allusion whiles reacting to a letter from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, to the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu.

    The letter, a legal advice from the government lawyer, pointed the A-G to obey procedures in law laid down for the publication of audit reports even though others interpreted same as an attempt to dictate to the audit boss.

    The recently released report on COVID-19 expenditure in the country, revealed several instances of alleged financial malfeasance.

    “The Attorney General’s letter to the Auditor General is clearly meant to silence him and create a conducive atmosphere for corruption to thrive,” Mahama wrote.

    “President @NAkufoAddo’s administration is not only indifferent in the fight against corruption – they are collaborators!” he added.

    Background:

    After the Auditor-General released a damning Special Audit Report on its findings on the government’s expenditure of COVID-19 expenditures in the country since the deadly pandemic was recorded in Ghana, the Attorney General wrote a letter to the A-G.

    In the letter, Godfred Dame asked Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu to stop the publication of the report on the Special Audit of COVID-19 expenditures.

    He further stated in the letter, based on Article 187(5) of the constitution, that the Auditor-General is rather mandated to submit his report to parliament, and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited which is often concurrently published with the submission.

    The Attorney General added that it was only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the Auditor-General’s report to parliament that the report might be considered final and relevant action might be taken thereon.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • GNFS investigating Accra timber market fire

    GNFS investigating Accra timber market fire

    Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service has indicated that investigations into the fire outbreak at Accra Timber market on Wednesday, 15 February 2023, are ongoing.

    The distress fire call according to the GNFS was received at 1336 hours reporting a fire outbreak at Accra Timber Market near Galloway.

    Six fire engines from Accra Regional Headquarters; Accra City, National Headquarters, Ministries, Circle and Parliament House Fire Stations were mobilized to contain the raging fire.

    The first fire engine arrived at 1347 hours at the fire scene. The blaze was then confined and brought under control at 1512 hours via direct fire attack.

    The fierce fire was finally extinguished at 17:30 hours.

    In all, 220 wooden structures used for both domestic and commercial purposes and their contents were razed by the ruinous fire.

    A plastic processing company, a mosque and over 100 wooden structures and their contents worth thousands of cedis were saved by the firefighters.

    No civilian and firefighter related injuries were recorded.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Thierry Henry indicates interest in being the coach of the US national team

    Thierry Henry indicates interest in being the coach of the US national team

    When the opportunity arises, Thierry Henry is prepared to return to management and is open to leading the U.S. men’s national team.

    Henry played for the New York Red Bulls before taking over as manager of CF Montreal in the Major League Soccer. He is well-versed in American soccer.

    The USMNT, meanwhile, is currently without a manager after Gregg Berhalter‘s contract expired after the World Cup. A hire is not expected until the summer, with U.S. Soccer first needing to replace sporting director Earnie Stewart and general manager Brian McBride, but Henry says he’s at least open to the idea of leading the Stars and Stripes.

    “Would I put my name in the hat? First and foremost, that’s a tricky one to talk about,” Henry said on CBS/Paramount+. “Roberto Martinez went to coach Portugal and I’m not going with him. Being a number two is no longer something I would like to do. Massive respect for the boss, he gave me an opportunity when no one else did. I’d like to have a crack [at management] again.”

    Henry continued: “Do I know the [American] players? Yeah, I know the players. Do I know the league? Yeah, I know the league. It’s a different ballgame to talk about it now like that, but would I want to be a manager at any level? Yes, of course, that’s something I would want to do. But to go back to the U.S. national team and the U.S. in general, what’s the plan? What’s the philosophy? What do you want to be?”

    Henry had been Martinez’s assistant with Belgium from 2021 through the end of the World Cup, having previously served in the role from 2016-18. After his initial stint, he took over at his former club, Monaco, for 20 matches before then taking the job in Montreal. However, after leading the club to a playoff berth, Henry stepped down ahead of the 2021 season, citing a desire to be closer to his family after being unable to see them during the coronavirus pandemic.

    With interim boss Anthony Hudson still leading the charge, the U.S. will return for Nations League matches in March as they take on Grenada and El Salvador.

  • We have failed the younger generation big time – Sophia Akuffo

    We have failed the younger generation big time – Sophia Akuffo

    Retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has admitted that her generation has failed the current generation.

    She said in a wide-ranging interview with Accra-based Joy News that they had inherited a lot of hope as children post-independence but years on, they have failed to transfer that hope to the current generation.

    Asked the question: “Has your generation failed the younger generation?” she said: “Oh big time, we have. Look at where we are, what can I say? I think we have, especially the post-independence people.

    “We grew up with so much hope in our hearts but that hope we couldn’t sustain it in the hearts of the next people,” she stressed.

    As to whether Ghana can mount a turnaround of its current leadership and development trajectory, she said it was an imperative.

    “Ghana is forever. We will have to turn it around, it is not a matter of can we? We must. Don’t ask me how,” she added.

    Asked whether she was disappointed in the current government, the former CJ said her disappointment spanned all governments under the Fourth Republican Constitution.

    “I have been disappointed with every single government we have had under this (1992) constitution, because after all that we went through with the military and everything and we centered the constitution as guiding principle, at least constitutionalism should have been what should have been guiding us.

    “But we have eroded so many standards, principles. It is not only the NPP government, a far as I am concerned, every government has failed us,” she emphasized.

    Sophia Akuffo has become topical in the last two weeks after she joined colleague pensioner bondholders who had been picketing at the Ministry of Finance since February 6 demanding total exclusion from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP.)

    Mrs. Akuffo’s involvement also saw her slam government’s handling of the programme and the general economic situation of the country.

    She received heavy backlash via social media from New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko.

    In her second appearance at the picket this week, she responded to Gabby’s critique among others by referring to him as a nuisance who did not matter to her and her life.

    Meanwhile, government has closed the subscription window for the DDEP announcing an 85% subscription rate.

    Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta told picketing pensioners on February 15 that their maturing coupons will be honoured even though they had opted against signing up, as in self-exempted from the programme.

    Ofori-Atta is due to appear before Parliament to answer questions over the programme on February 16, 2023.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • One day, I could run for president– Nero X

    One day, I could run for president– Nero X

    Nero X has stated that he can become the president of the nation.

    The Ghanaian artistes spoke about his capabilities of becoming a president during an interview with B Ice on Agyenkwa FM.

    Born Joseph Nkrumah Buabeng, Nero said he has what it takes to rule Ghana if he is given the mandate.

    The ‘Osey’ singer disclosed what he would do first if he gets the opportunity to be Ghana’s president.

    First of all, the well-known singer stated that he will change the constitution of Ghana.

    He made this statement after condemning the behaviour of Ghanaian leaders.

    To him, the leaders in Ghana are selfish and wicked.

    Nero X also bemoaned how some Ghanaian leaders sponsor young ladies to visit Dubai and other places.

  • Mikel Arteta criticises Arsenal for “giving three goals” against Man City

    Mikel Arteta criticises Arsenal for “giving three goals” against Man City

    Following Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in the top-of-the-table matchup on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta was left to lament his team’s costly mistakes.

    Against the champions, the Gunners were forced to pay for a run of individual blunders, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish each scoring important goals as a result of mistakes made by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhaes.

    De Bruyne’s opener came from an awful Tomiyasu back-pass, while Gabriel was robbed of possession high up the pitch before City broke to restore their lead through Grealish in the second half after Bukayo Saka had equalised from the penalty spot.

    Speaking after the defeat, which saw Arsenal knocked off top spot in the Premier League for the first time since August, Arteta said: “It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level they require you to play to have a chance to win. I thought in many moments we did and we had them, but if you give three goals the way we did and don’t put away the big chances we had, then the margin for error is almost zero. It’s a shame because we really had them.

    “I don’t know if it’s experience or bad luck. I’ve never seen Tomiyasu make that pass back in seven years and he did it today. It’s part of it and they have the quality to punish you.”

    When asked how difficult it will be to pick his players up after such a morale-sapping defeat, Arteta added: “We have to pick [up] the points, because the performances are there for sure. Games are decided in the boxes and we have given too much away today and weren’t ruthless enough to convert our chances. That’s what we have to improve.

    “Psychologically there is a marathon still out there. I said it three months ago and I said it today, it’s about tomorrow. The most important thing is how we are tomorrow and focus on that because the rest, we don’t know what is going to happen.”

    The Gunners travel to Villa Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they look to get back to winning ways.