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Tag: GFA

  • Asamoah Gyan to be celebrated by GFA in grand style

    Asamoah Gyan to be celebrated by GFA in grand style

    General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has disclosed that preparations are underway to pay tribute to former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan in light of his retirement announcement on Tuesday.

    Gyan, who made significant contributions to Ghana’s national team, has established himself as one of the country’s most esteemed footballers, featuring prominently in numerous tournaments and securing the position as Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals in 109 appearances.

    Furthermore, Gyan’s remarkable performance in three World Cup tournaments, amassing six goals, has earned him the distinction of being Africa’s top scorer in this prestigious competition.

    Due to his exceptional feats, achieved in football, the announcement of his retirement attracted many tributes from federations, teammates, and former footballers as well as football fans among others.

    On the part of the GFA, they will go beyond just paying verbal tribute but meet Gyan, plan, and come out with a massive celebration to honour the 37-year-old.

    “He is a true legend. We have congratulated him and he deserves all the accolades for what he has done for all of us in terms of the development of the game and the wonderful memories he has given us over the years,” he told Asempa FM

    “However, in terms of what we have to do to celebrate him, we would have to take our time and plan together with him so that it can be done in grand style. So we will engage him and come out.

  • It was too late when GFA approached me – Alphonso Davies

    It was too late when GFA approached me – Alphonso Davies

    Alphonso Davies, the Bayern Munich defender, has revealed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) approached him to represent Ghana, but the contact occurred too late for him to consider the offer.

    Although born in Ghana to Liberian parents, Davies had the option to play for either Ghana or Liberia. However, after obtaining Canadian citizenship in June 2017, he chose to play for Canada.

    Davies expressed that despite his involvement in football for some time, he was never considered by Ghana because he wasn’t a prominent figure in the sport. It was only after his notable transfer move that Ghana made an attempt to approach him.

    He stated that there was indeed an Instagram contact from the Ghana FA at some point, but the timing of the approach was too late for him to reconsider his decision to represent Canada.

    “Ghana never reached out and also my mum was like, no [to the idea of me playing for Ghana],” he said when quizzed whether was an option to play for the country of his birth.

    “I was playing like not even like the academy they never like said [anything about wanting me] I wasn’t a big name. When the news came out that I was going to Bayern, then I got a message from the Ghana federation.

    “I think it was someone on the federation he texted me on Instagram because he didn’t have my number or email. But it was too late, at that time I had already got my citizenship and already made it to [represent] Canada.”

    Davies made his first debut for the Canadian national team in June 2017 becoming the youngest player to play for the senior team.

    The 22-year-old has 13 goals in 39 appearances for Canada since making his debut.

  • Ghana Week in DC launched

    Ghana Week in DC launched

    The Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has launched ‘Ghana Week in DC’ in Accra, inviting Ghanaians to participate in the outreach to promote Ghana’s rich culture.

    The ‘Ghana Week in DC’ will be an annual event in Washington DC which would consist of activities to showcase Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, arts, culture, trade, investment opportunities and football.

    “It also aims to create awareness for and about Ghanaian arts, and music, among others while promoting Ghanaian tourism and culture with the main highlight of the week being a football match between one of Ghana’s Premier League teams and DC United.”

    The celebration is also in partnership with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Football Association (GFA), Embassy of Ghana – Washington DC, City of DC, Mayor Office and PKB Enterprises.

    The Chief Executive Officer of GTA, in his welcome statement, touted Ghana’s achievement in the global community and music industry over the decades.

    He said ‘Beyond the Return’ was about the partnership, adding that the Ghana Week in DC was one of the partnerships to put Ghana out there and within the diaspora.

    According to him, “the Authority is excited with the outcomes of its partnership outreach culminating in the organising of this celebration”, and said it would help cement the gains of the Return.”

    Jamil Maraby, Director of Marketing, GFA stated that football had a pulling power, saying that the sport would bring more attention to Ghana Week, hence the need for his outfit to partner in the celebration.

    “We have the Ghana Week and it only entails forums on arts and culture, but with this one, we intend to bring much more attention to it, and the football aspect would help do that and make it successful.”

    Mr Maraby appealed to the organisers to make sure the event comes to stay as a yearly event that people across the world would look up to.

    The Head of Public Relations and Communications Division, GIPC, Mr Chares Opoku Mensah said the project would showcase Ghana “not leaving anything out. From business, culture and arts, entertainment, football, but we are using soccer to lead the charge to open the door.”

    He emphasised that for GIPC it aligned with their mandate of promoting Ghana as a place to do business, saying “Our role in this project will push that agenda within the whole scoop.”

    He entreated all partners to come on board to support this year’s “Ghana Week in DC”, adding that it was a good course.

    Mr Paxton Baker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PKB Enterprises, added that the idea behind using football as a key was also to help establish the city of Washington DC as the anchor to showcase talents coming out of Africa.

  • Stephen Appiah’s outburst calls a GFA, ex-players meeting

    Stephen Appiah’s outburst calls a GFA, ex-players meeting

    On Tuesday, April 25, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Professional Football Association of Ghana (PFAG) met in Accra.

    This is thought to have been required as a result of remarks made a few weeks earlier by Stephen Appiah, a former captain of Ghana, in which he questioned the purported exclusion of former players from football administration.

    The major objective of the meeting was to deliberate and go over problems that are crucial to the growth of football in Ghana.

    The meeting focused on player welfare, the standard player contract, funding and support for domestic football and national teams, and the role of former players in the development of Ghana football.

    GFA President Edwin Simeon-Okraku urged the PFAG to provide recommendations and proposals on the current GFA statutes. The statutes are under review for possible amendments to make them more effective.

    During the meeting, the importance of footballers, both ex-active and active in the football ecosystem, was emphasized, particularly opportunities in coaching and other identified pathways.

    “We have a lot to do as stakeholders to push this industry to greater heights. I know the power and influence that you all carry as individuals and as a unit hence this meeting,” said GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku.

    The meeting was attended by top officials of the GFA including GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Vice President Mark Addo, Executive Council Members Dr. Tony Aubynn, Nana Sarfo Oduro, and Samuel Anim Addo, among others.

    The PFAG delegation, on the other hand, was led by President Samuel Osei Kuffuor and included Vice President Joseph Tetteh Zutah, General Secretary Anthony Baffoe, and Deputy General Secretary Solomon Torson.

    Several football legends like Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah, and John Painstil were also present.

  • GFA gifts Sellas Tetteh GHC50k

    GFA gifts Sellas Tetteh GHC50k

    Sellas Tetteh, the former coach of the Black Satellites, received a donation of GHC50,000 from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Foundation. Tetteh led the nation’s under-20 squad to the 2009 World Cup victory.

    The first gift was given to Tetteh, who had recently struggled with illnesses, as part of the association’s initiative to aid struggling individuals through the recently founded GFA Foundation.

    The GFA president Kurt Okraku who appreciated the efforts of the coach used the opportunity to clarify recent media reports that the GFA, or Ministry of Youth and Sports, owes the coach incentives and salaries.

    Meanwhile, Sellas Tetteh had earlier received a donation of a similar amount from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in February after persistent calls in the media to support the veteran coach who was battling with health conditions.

    He had also been visited with a donation of an undisclosed cash amount by Andre Ayew, the captain of the Black Satellites team which was coached by Sellas Tetteh to World Cup glory in 2009.

    The former Rwanda national team head coach has previously worked with the Black Starlets and Sierra Leone.

    He also led the Black Satellites to third place in Turkey at the 2013 U-20 World Cup.

  • Stop blaming GFA for club problems – Bernard Ziel to Kotoko fans

    Stop blaming GFA for club problems – Bernard Ziel to Kotoko fans

    Bernard Ziel, a former Asante Kotoko board member, has urged with the team’s supporters to stop blaming the FA and other football media figures for the organization’s issues.

    Some of the club’s management and supporters have recently criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for supposedly plotting to ruin them by designating biased referees to their games.

    Ziel disputed these claims and claimed that Asante Kotoko’s win in the 2021–22 Ghana Premier League was attributable to the GFA in a radio appearance with Kessben FM.

    He urged people in authority to assume accountability and make wise choices to support the team, and he suggested the administration of the team market their games well in traditional media to boost matchday attendance.

    Kotoko recently sacked their Burkinabe coach Seydou Zerbo due to poor results. Assistant coach Abdul Gazale is now in charge till a head coach is appointed.

    The Porcupine Warriors will take on Berekum Chelsea today in their match week 26th game at Golden City Park.

  • George Afriyie reticent on second coming in next GFA Presidential race

    George Afriyie reticent on second coming in next GFA Presidential race

    George Afriyie, president of Susubiribi Sporting Club, is reluctant to disclose any plans of a comeback in the contest for the Ghana Football Association presidency.

    In the 2019 elections, the previous FA vice president ran but was defeated by Mr. Kurt Okraku.

    Numerous football administrators are anticipated to run for president since Mr. Okraku’s term ends in October of this year.

    When asked if he would run for president of the GFA in the upcoming elections, Mr. Afriyie declined to say yes or no.

    “As to whether I will contest or not, I cannot confirm but I know that our league is ongoing, the Black Queens are also preparing for their qualifiers and by June, the football season will end,” the former Black Stars Management Committee chairman told Kumasi based Sompa FM.

    “By October 2023, Kurt Okraku must hand over power to himself or to somebody and that is what is in our status.

    “Definitely, there would be timelines for elections but as we speak, there is none and as to whether I am preparing or not, time will tell,” he added.

  • Ex-Kotoko captain tells Nana Oduro Sarfo to apologise to Stephen Appiah

    Ex-Kotoko captain tells Nana Oduro Sarfo to apologise to Stephen Appiah

    Former captain of Asante Kotoko, Yussif Chibsah, has requested an apology from Nana Oduro Sarfo, a member of the Ghana Football Association‘s Executive Council, for denigrating Stephen Appiah, a former captain of the Black Stars.

    In response to Stephen Appiah’s statement that past players are frequently overlooked by the GFA, Nana Oduro Sarfo urged the former Black Stars captain to get formal education before pursuing a position of prominence in Ghanaian football.

    Yussif Chibsah responded to this statement by asking Oduro Sarfo to apologise to the renowned Stephen Appiah, feeling that he had disrespected the man.

    “I don’t know the qualifications of Nana Oduro Sarfo even though I know he started this football business a long time ago.”

    “But he needs to come out and tell his qualifications since he is making his arguments on someone going to educate himself in football administration.”

    “Oduro Sarfo needs to apologize to Stephen Appiah because some of his colleagues including my own Alhaji Grusah, have no academic qualifications but they serve on the GFA Executive Council,” Chibsah said on Angel TV.

    Stephen Appiah led Ghana to two FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2006 and 2010 as the captain of the Black Stars.

  • Stephen Appiah recommends long-term contracts for Black Stars coaches

    Stephen Appiah recommends long-term contracts for Black Stars coaches

    Stephen Appiah, a former Ghanaian international, has suggested that the Black Stars’ head coaches be given long-term contracts.

    The former Black Stars captain contends that, unlike club football, where coaches train with their players frequently, it takes national team coaches a significant amount of time to get to know their players.

    He claimed that giving coaches one- or two-year contracts puts pressure on the management to produce results quickly.

    “It (a short-term contract) brings pressure on the coaches. Some coaches get one year, not even up to a year. Sometimes they get two years…When a coach is employed, he needs to get used to the players and study them.

    It is not like club football where you get to train with them every day. You get to play probably every six months, so it is true.

    Sometimes the contracts they(Ghana Football Association) give to the coaches are too short,” he told Sompa FM.

    The Ghana Football Association, in February 2023, appointed Chris Hughton as the new Black Stars manager, taking over from Otto Addo who was in charge for less than a year.

    The former Tottenham Hotspur manager penned an 18 months contract with GFA.

  • We will still win the FA Cup, League – Aduana Stars assist. head coach

    We will still win the FA Cup, League – Aduana Stars assist. head coach

    Notwithstanding the stadium restriction, Aduana Stars assistant coach W.O. Tandoh predicts that his team would win the Ghana Premier League and FA Cup.

    The Tamale City team bus was attacked after the play against Aduana FC on Matchday 25. This regrettable occurrence resulted in the Ghana FA temporarily banning the home stadium of the two-time Ghana Premier League winners.

    In response to the occurrence, the GFA Executive Council immediately imposed the ban.

    W.O. Tandoh, however, has denounced the decision as biased in their dealings by the nation’s football regulatory body.

    According to Tandoh, his outfit can still win the league and the FA Cup despite being ban from playing at their favourite home ground.

    As per audio aired on Angel FM, Tandoh said, “I condemned whatever happened after the game but truth be told, the incident happened outside the stadium. What did the 90 police personal we brought to the stadium to protect Tamale City upon their request do?

    “In the first leg in Tamale, a lot of things happened there, Tamale City did the same thing to us. Let call a spade a spade, the FA should not listen to one side”

    “Were they (FA) asleep when such incident happened in Tamale. Personally, I have called the General Secretary and the President of the FA but they are responding to my calls, they should not destroy the game for us. Mark my words, am not speaking for Aduana but then, I am an employee of Aduana, the FA should sit up”

    “Those who took the decision against Aduana did not help our game, the bring back the love tag was not executed here, what did they do when Tamale City did the same thing to Aduana, even biting a players’ finger on the field of play”

    “Even if we play our games at their bath rooms, Aduana Stars will win the league. Again, if they like they should let us play at guest house we will also win the FA Cup, I emphasized”

    Aduana FC required a penalty in the 90+10 minute of their last game to win 1-0 and extend their lead at the top of the standings to 44 points, which is three points ahead of Bechem United in second place.

  • GFA criticised by Aduana Stars fans over home venue ban

    GFA criticised by Aduana Stars fans over home venue ban

    Aduana Stars fans have been criticizing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) because the association banned the team’s home field.

    The decision, which was made as retaliation for alleged fan disturbance during a recent encounter with Tamale City, has infuriated Aduana Stars supporters who believe the ban is unfair and unnecessary. The GFA, according to the supporters, doesn’t want the team to win the Ghana Premier League.

    Football supporters have been divided on the matter, with some urging the GFA to rethink its choice and others supporting the association’s position in favor of upholding discipline and order in the game.

    GFA’s statement on the home venue ban reads:

    “This decision has become necessary due to the unfortunate incidents that occurred after the Match day 25 between Aduana FC and Tamale City FC (outside the park) played on April 2, 2023.

    The decision is in accordance with the GFA Premier League Regulations Article 14(2) which states inter alia “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre where the safety of clubs, Match Officials or Spectators cannot be guaranteed.”’

    The Competitions Department is therefore advised to determine the venue for the Club’s subsequent home matches in accordance with Article 14(3) Premier League Regulations,”

    Aduana Stars will play Accra Great Olympics in their next Ghana Premier League game.

  • GFA found not guilty of contempt of court

    GFA found not guilty of contempt of court

    Today, the Accra Human Rights High Court handed down its ruling in the contempt action AshantiGold SC had taken against the Ghana Football Association (GFA), its 12 Executive Council members, the General Secretary, and Sheikh Tophic Abdul-Kadir Sienu.

    The court determined that the GFA and its representatives were not in contempt of the court since they had not received the Injunction order of court and were not served with it.

    But, the court further ruled that Prosper Harrison Addo (acting in his own capacity) and Sheikh Tophic Abdul-Kadir Sienu were accountable for remarks made in interviews and on Facebook, respectively.

    The court, therefore, sentenced Prosper Harrison Addo for a day imprisonment and a fine of Gh¢24,000 while Sheikh Tophic Abdul-Kadir Sienu was sentenced for a day imprisonment and fined of Gh¢12,000 and in default 14 days imprisonment in both cases.

    A day’s imprisonment means that the sentence is served once the fines are paid and the presiding judge ends his sitting for the day.

    The judge ended the sitting before midday, and the fines were promptly paid by both Prosper Harrison Addo and Sheikh Tophic Abdul-Kadir Sienu.

  • Let Chris Hughton be, give him freedom to run the team – Ex-Fulham midfielder warns GFA against interference

    Let Chris Hughton be, give him freedom to run the team – Ex-Fulham midfielder warns GFA against interference

    A member of the 2006 Black Stars squad that helped Ghana become the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup, Derek Boateng, has issued a warning against interfering with Chris Hughton’s coaching duties.

    As the nation hopes to end a 42-year wait for the AFCON title, Boateng is rallying support for the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager.

    Hughton signed a 21 month contract to be coach of the Black Stars and supervised his first two games against Angola during the international break.

    After an impressive two-legged game, where Ghana picked four points, Boateng believes Hughton has showed signs of succeeding as the Black Stars gaffer.

    “He needs support because he is not too experienced on the African terrain. He needs support from the media, and the GFA should not interfere with his job.

    He should be left to work independently and be allowed to call his choice of players because you can see that he is a very genuine coach so he needs to get that freedom to work so we can see how it goes,” Boateng told Asempa FM, as quoted by footballghana.com. “Chris Hughton has coached in the Premier League on several occasions, and we are all aware of his capabilities.

    His profile is really good, but since this is his first national team job, he needs our support,” he added.

    Boateng enjoyed a stellar career, playing for several clubs including Fulham in the English Premier League and Getafe in La Liga.

  • Why was Atsu retired when Messi won the World Cup at 35 – Sonnie Badu to GFA

    Sonnie Badu, a preacher and musician, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to alter its outlook and behavior.

    He finds it distressing that the football organization has essentially coerced several players into early retirement throughout the years.

    His opinions were expressed in an open letter to the GFA following Christian Atsu, a player for the Black Stars,’ funeral and burial.

    In contrast to Lionel Messi, the PSG star and Argentina captain, who won the World Cup in Qatar at the age of 35, Atsu, sometimes referred to as the Messi of Ghana, took a step back at the age of 31.

    “Dear GFA @chris_atsu has been finally laid to rest. However, let me say this .. Let this be a reform of mindset and a change of attitude…. I know our @ghana_fa_official chairman will do things differently

    “I heard in recent interviews people saying that he was the Messi of Ghana… Well you guys retired him quick – whiles Messi is still playing the World Cup… Messi is 35 and Astu was 31 …

    “Let us learn how to make players feel important while they are alive. We should not wait for something to happen to them before we take over their funeral expenses and all of that,” his letter read in part.

    The March 17, 2023 final funeral rites of Christian Atsu attracted people from all walks of life as the forecourt of the State House buzzed with activity.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice were in attendance along with a high-powered government delegation. Also in attendance was the former president John Dramani Mahama.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was led by its president Kurt Okraku who also led members of the association and a group of former Black Stars players.

  • Chris Hughton’s unveiling: What you need to know

    The specifics of Chris Hughton’s introduction as the Black Stars’ new coach have been made public by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    Prior to that, the GFA made no mention of Chris Hughton’s contract when announcing his appointment as the Black Stars’ new head coach.

    However, according to a recent update from the GFA, the head coach of the Black Stars would officially be introduced on Monday, March 20, 2023.

    At precisely 10:00 am, the event would start at the SG Mall in Ayigya-Kumasi.

    According to GFA, Chris Hughton’s introduction would be televised.

    Just like the past, the unveiling of the new coach of the Black Stars is to give the media the opportunity to interact with the coach, as well as, get more information on the target set for him.

    The GFA is expected to make known the details pertaining to the duration of the contract and estimated salary of the new head coach.

    With rumours swelling changes in the backroom staff, coach Chris Hughton is expected to outdoor his technical team members.

    Coach Chris Hughton who was previously the Technical Advisor of the Black Stars takes over from Otto Addo who resigned after Ghana exited the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

  • Chris Hughton to be unveiled today as Black Stars head coach

    Chris Hughton to be unveiled today as Black Stars head coach

    The Black Stars’ senior national team’s new head coach, Chris Hughton, will be formally unveiled today.

    Around 10:00 am today in Kumasi, the unveiling will take held in the SG Mall, Ayigya.

    The 64-year-old takes Otto Addo’s place as the team’s new head trainer. The talent coach for the German team Borussia Dortmund, Addo, resigned from his position when his nation was eliminated early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    According to the Ghana Football Association [GFA], George Boateng and Didi Dramani will be the former Brighton manager’s assistants.

    The nation’s football governing body will announce the terms of the contract and Hughton’s stay length.

    Before his appointment as the head coach of the team, Hughton worked as the technical advisor for the team when Otto Addo was in charge as the head coach of the team ahead of the playoff games against Nigeria.

    Following Ghana’s qualification to the Mundial, Hughton kept his role.

    The former Newcastle United and Tottenham will be aiming to lead the Black Stars to its glory days due to his rich experience in the world of football.

    Hughton’s first game will come up against Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers in back-to-back games this month.

    The Black Stars will host the Palancas Negras at the Baba Yara Stadium on March 23 before travelling to Luanda for the return game in four days’ time.

    Ghana are joint top of Group E alongside Angola with both teams with four points after two games.

  • Asamoah Gyan’s tribute to Atsu

    Asamoah Gyan’s tribute to Atsu

    Ever since Christian Atsu’s demise was announced testimonies about his selfless being keep pouring in.

    Asamoah Gyan, former captain of the Black Stars, has joined the others in penning down a heartfelt homage to the late Ghanaian international.

    According to him, Atsu was one of his favorites as he derived support and encouragement from him.

    He commended Christian for remaining humble despite reaching the height of his career.

    The former captain added that Ghana and the world at large has lost a great soul, as Atsu is irreplaceable.

    Find Asamoah Gyan’s tribute:

    Christian was one of my favourite players and also one of the guys very close to my heart.

    I’m not God but the trust Christian had in me was unbelievable. He always tells me “ Asa, please try and play every game for us cos I don’t see us winning without you”.

    Anytime he sees me, he shakes he head and starts laughing. After every goal I score, Christian always walks to me and always say “ Asa, Nyame shira wo (God bless you). My heart is in pain for loosing humble, innocent and unbelievable footballer like Christian. Thank you for everything. Rest in Peace Brother.

    Today, Friday, March 17 the late Christian Atsu’s family, friends, football players, and prominent figures, including President Akufo-Addo, have gathered to pay their final respects.

    Atsu was discovered dead on Saturday, having spent the previous 12 days trapped beneath wreckage after the terrible earthquake that devastated Turkey and Ukraine.

  • Anas has finally been ‘humiliated’ – Sannie Daara reacts to Kennedy Agyapong’s High Court win

    Anas has finally been ‘humiliated’ – Sannie Daara reacts to Kennedy Agyapong’s High Court win

    Ibrahim Sannie Daara, a former communications director for the Ghana Football Association, after the High Court’s decision in the Kennedy Agyapong v. Anas Aremeyaw Anas defamation case has said that “Evil and evildoers will not perpetuate their wrongdoing forever. There would be justice and that justice has been served today.

    Today not anywhere but in the law court where now it has been confirmed, verified, and approved that Anas Aremeyaw Anas is corrupt and this is coming from the Court.”

    On March 15, 2023, the Accra High Court dismissed Anas’ defamation lawsuit for 25 million cedis and ordered the investigative journalist to pay Kennedy Agyapong 50,000 cedis as damages.

    The Accra High Court, did justice by exposing Anas Aremeyaw Anas as a dishonest and extortionate investigative journalist according to Saani Daara.

    Saani Daara said he is pleased that Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been humiliated in front of Ghanaians because he believes that Anas’ method was to twist the facts rather than seek the truth.

    “The Court of Ghana said that he is a blackmailer. Evil and evildoers will not perpetuate their wrongdoing forever. The truth has come out in a way that has humiliated this man (Anas Aremeyaw Anas) whose modus operandi is to twist things and not seek the truth,” Saani Daara said in an interview.

    Meanwhile, Kennedy Agyapong stated that his win was dedicated to the former Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi who was humiliated in the documentary in 2018.

    Kennedy Agyapong also turned down the ¢50,000 awarded by the court for him and cautioned Anas to be conscious of his actions.

    Kwesi Nyantakyi Reacts To High Court Ruling On Anas Vs Kennedy Agyapong Defamation Case.

  • Anas is worse than the devil – Nyantakyi

    Anas is worse than the devil – Nyantakyi

    Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), reacted to the dismissal of Anas Aremeyaw Anas‘ defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong.

    In 2018, Anas filed a GH¢25 million defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central Region, but the court ruled on March 15 that the claim is without merit.

    In a lengthy ruling, Justice Eric Baah held that the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas] failed to prove that Kennedy Agyapong defamed the investigative journalist by airing the documentary – “Who watches the watchman.”

    Speaking on Accra-based Oman FM earlier today, Mr. Nyantakyi said “the High Court’s decision testifies to the truth that Anas Aremeyaw Anas is not honest but as described by the court, he is a blackmailer and an extortionist.”

    “The judge also described his job as an investigative terrorist instead of an investigative journalist. He has been totally disgraced. He once portrayed himself as an angel, but today I’m not even sure he is at the devil’s level yet.”

    In June 2018, the former member of Fifa’s executive council was filmed taking $65,000 in cash from an undercover reporter in a film captured by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which was aired by BBC Africa’s investigations unit, Africa Eye.

    Nyantakyi was pictured placing the “shopping money” into a black plastic bag from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman keen to invest in Ghanaian football.

    He later agreed to what he believed to be a sponsorship deal for the Ghana FA, which he had presided over since 2005. The bogus deal, invented by the reporters, would have enabled millions of dollars in commission to be paid to a company controlled by him.

    This cost him his positions as FIFA Council Member and 1st Vice President of CAF.

  • Black Stars’ Chris Hughton reportedly offered three-year contract by GFA

    Black Stars’ Chris Hughton reportedly offered three-year contract by GFA

    The Ghana Football Association has reportedly given new Black Stars coach Chris Hughton a three-year contract, according to reports in the local media.

    The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager replaced Coach Otto Addo, who resigned from the position after Ghana was eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Group Stage.

    The Black Stars have had Mr. Hughton as their technical advisor for the last 12 months.

    Assistant coaches Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng will help Chris Hughton.

    The technical staff for the World Cup in Qatar included the three coaches.

    According to the report, Ghana’s qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations competition has been given to Chris Hughton.

    Chris Hughton will be unveiled in Kumasi ahead of Ghana’s game against Angola. His unveiling delayed due to the death of Chris Hughton’s father.

  • Kwesi Nyantakyi reacts after Kennedy’s win of defamation case against Anas

    Kwesi Nyantakyi reacts after Kennedy’s win of defamation case against Anas

    Following a High Court decision on the defamation case involving renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former president of the Ghana Football Association, is claiming vindication.

    According to Kwesi Nyantakyi, who spoke to Oman FM, the court’s decision clears him of blame and supports his suspicion that Anas is dishonest.

    As a result of the court decision, according to Nyantakyi, Anas has been revealed, but he is not surprised because he has known all along that the investigative journalist is a crook and not who he claims to be.

    “The court has stripped him naked. He has been disgraced. He claims to be an angel but the court has shown that he is worse than the devil. I will take no further action but his story is everywhere. He is a bad person and now he has been exposed. A lot of people know him as a crook,” he said.

    The Accra High Court on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 dismissed the ¢25 million defamation suit brought to him by Anas and asked the investigative journalist to compensate Kennedy Agyapong with ¢50,000.

    Speaking after the court ruling, Kennedy Agyapong stated that his win was dedicated to the former GFA president who was humiliated in the documentary.

    Kennedy Agyapong also turned down the ¢50,000 awarded by the court for him and cautioned Anas to be conscious of his actions.

    “All I will say is the victory is especially for Kwesi Nyantakyi and this gentleman. What they have gone through in Anas’s humiliation in this country, nobody should go through that,” Kennedy Agyapong told the press.

    He added, “I will tell you today, the ¢50,000 I don’t need it, I will give it to him but he should live with his conscience.”

    Anas in 2018 sued the New Patriotic Party lawmaker for allegedly defaming him after the release of his famous Number 12 documentary which sort to uncover the rot in Ghana Football.

    The popular investigative journalist asked the court to award ¢25 million to Kennedy Agyapong for defaming him in his ‘Who watches the watchman’ counter documentary.

    However, ruling over the case in court on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Justice Eric Baah stated that Anas Aremeyaw Anas failed to prove he was defamed by the lawmaker.

  • Richard Kingson reportedly to be sacked from Black Stars technical team

    Richard Kingson reportedly to be sacked from Black Stars technical team

    Former Ghana international, Richard Kingson, could be fired from his position as the Black Stars’ goalkeepers’ trainer according to reports.

    A new goalkeepers’ trainer and video analyst could be hired by Chris Hughton, the new Black Stars coach, as a result of some technical team changes.

    Chris Hughton and the Ghana Football Association hierarchy reportedly met to finalise the changes that could result in Kingson and the video analyst Awal Kamin losing their jobs, according to an unnamed source.

    The GFA source told Graphic Sports, “Maybe, having been with the team for almost a year as technical advisor, I suspect Chris Hughton may have analysed the technical team and, therefore, knows its inadequacies which may have informed his recommendations to strengthen the technical department as he takes over.”

    The source also mentioned that Ameenu Shadow, General Manager of Dreams FC, is likely to replace Henry Mantey as the new Team Manager of the Black Stars.

    GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that Hughton has made recommendations but refused to comment further on the reported changes to the technical team.

    Twum said, “I’m aware he has made some recommendations in his technical department but I can’t say anything until he is unveiled. I believe every concern would be addressed at his unveiling so I think we must wait for that day to know everything about the team.”

    Chris Hughton is set to be unveiled on March 20 in Kumasi ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola.

    The game will take place at the Baba Yara Stadium on March 23, with the return leg in Luanda four days later.

  • Team manager for the New Black Stars angry with scout over his appointment

    Team manager for the New Black Stars angry with scout over his appointment

    Black Stars team manager Ameenu Shadow had a disagreement over his appointment with renowned scout and sports data analyst Scott Geelan.

    According to reports, the Ghana Football Association has approved Shadow to manage the Black Stars’ team.

    The appointment was questioned by Scott Geelan, who is well-known for sharing scouting data and information about Ghanaian athletes. He called the FA “shameless corrupt” and questioned the appointment.

    “Surely not? On what basis was this appointment made? Apparently just another friend of Kurt Okraku given some bizarre role within the FA with no clear scope, no evidence of a competitive process & no track record of success. Shamelessly corrupt, if true.”

    Ameenu Shadow responded to Scott Geelan’s tweet by attempting to expose him for attempting to once serve as the team’s scout.

    “It is the so-called ‘shamelessly corrupt’ process that you wanted to benefit from when you begged me to put in a word for you to land a job with the national team. Why don’t you go begging people within the UK federations for work? Why are you so obsessed with Ghana?” he questioned.

    But Geelan bounced back, displaying details of a conversation he had with Shadow who disclosed to have recommended him for an appointment as a Black Stars scout.

    “Hilarious, someone tell @alooameenu to unblock me. This is a lie but not a surprise that he’d stoop to “go find a job in your country” & this rubbish. I was contacted first, had already worked on a project (free of charge) for the GFA (2021 AFCON U20) & NEVER asked for a job, he tweeted with a photo of the chat.

    On March 23, 2023, the Black Stars’ match against Angola at the Kumasi Sports Stadium will serve as Shadow’s debut as team manager.

    Later in March, the 2023 AFCON qualifying matches resume with a doubleheader between Ghana and Angola.

    The Black Stars will play the Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) in their own backyard four days after the match in Kumasi.

  • Chris Hughton is a capable coach for the Black Stars, I believe in him – George Afriyie

    Chris Hughton is a capable coach for the Black Stars, I believe in him – George Afriyie

    George Afriyie, a former vice president of the Ghana Football Association, has expressed his belief in Chris Hughton’s ability to lead the Black Stars.

    After serving as the Technical Advisor for the Black Stars, Chris Hughton was named head coach by the GFA.

    George Afriyie thinks Ghana’s Irish-born coach can lead Ghana to better results in games because of his extensive experience.

    “Chris, for me, should have taken us to the World Cup. Because you have a manager who has managed a top English football club. You and I know that there is no argument about this, that the English league, the Spanish and German leagues are the best three in the world,” he told 3 Sports.

    “So if you have a coach who has managed in the top three leagues in the world coming into your country as the national team coach, if he can’t do it, trust me nobody can do it. For me I have enough confidence in Chris Hughton,” he added.

    According to George Afriyie, there is a possibility that Hughton might endure a difficult spell just like many other top coaches.

    ” Yes, coaches can come and fail but let us do our part, appoint the right personnel and say we did our best. I have confidence in the coach,” Mr Afriyie said.

  • GFA gives an official accommodation to Chris Hughton

    GFA gives an official accommodation to Chris Hughton

    Chris Hughton, new Black Stars head coach will have an official apartment, according to Prosper Harrison Addo, general secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    During an appearance on Citi FM on Friday, March 10, he acknowledged this.
    He claims that the Ghana FA will take care of the new residence.

    “There was a home at the airport when Kwesi Appiah lived there.
    So that we might have another residence where the coach stays, we convinced it to become the technical directorate.
    As a result, the coach will live somewhere.

    “The new residence is provided by the GFA,” Prosper Harrison Addo said.

    New Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton will be officially unveiled on March 20 in Kumasi as announced by the GFA this week.

    Meanwhile, the former Brighton & Hove Albion gaffer has named his 25-man squad for the Ghana v Angola doubleheader in the AFCON qualifiers.

    The two games will be played on March 23 and March 27 in Ghana and Angola respectively.

  • No GFA employee ever forces players on a Black Stars coach – Prosper Harrison Addo

    No GFA employee ever forces players on a Black Stars coach – Prosper Harrison Addo

    Prosper Harrison Addo, general secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has remarked that it is absurd to claim that Black Stars player selections are made by president Kurt Okraku.

    He claims there is no basis for that accusation.

    “It’s funny to say Kurt Okraku makes the selection for the Black Stars,” Prosper Harrison Addo said during a discussion on Citi FM on Friday, March 10.

    “These are all  kinds of accusations without facts,” the general secretary of the Ghana FA continued. There is a method. No one person, not even the head coach, makes the team. The management committee is presented with it after he and his team have discussed it. It will surface if it is good.

    “Nobody imposes a player on a coach.”

    He further advised that if anyone does not like a certain player they should not expect that a coach will not invite that player.

  • Chris Hughton declines GFA’s one-year contract offer to lead Black Stars – reports

    Chris Hughton declines GFA’s one-year contract offer to lead Black Stars – reports

    Ghana Football Association(GFA) has reportedly offered a one-year contract to Chris Hughton, the newly appointed Black Stars coach, according to Original FM,

    The Accra-based station claims that Chris Hughton was given a one-year contract offer, which he flatly declined.

    According to the report, the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager wants a three-year contract because he thinks it will give him enough time to assemble a squad that is capable of winning championships.

    According to the report, Chris Hughton would prefer a three-year contract from the FA, but the Ghanaian government, through its ministry of sports, is also in favour of giving him a one-year contract.

    On February 12, the Ghana Football Association named Chris Hughton the new Black Stars head coach.

    A statement on the FA’s website read, “The Ghana Football Association has the pleasure to appoint Chris Hughton as Head Coach of the Black Stars following extensive deliberations between the two parties.

    “The appointment is in line with the vision of the GFA to continue with the project of building a formidable squad that started with Otto Addo in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament.”

    Almost a month since the announcement, the Ghana Football Association are yet to unveil and announce contract details for Chris Hughton.

    Henry Asante Twum, the spokesperson of the FA recently disclosed that the unveiling has been delayed due to the death of Chris Hughton’s father.

    “Chris had to stay in the UK because he lost his dad and needed time with his family and plan the burial service. That’s why he’s not been to Ghana yet” Asante Twum said in an interview.

    “We expect Chris in Ghana next week if everything goes according to plan. We are constantly engaging on his unveiling, media engagement, and build-up to the games,” Henry added.

    According to Henry, the unveiling ceremony of Ghana’s coaches, and the squad announcements for the Angola doubleheader are also expected to be made.

    “He is working, Chris and his assistants will be unveiled together. When he arrives we will communicate the date and venue for his unveiling and then use that as part of the build-up to the game against Angola.

    “There will also be squad announcements, details of the contract, and the targets set for the new technical team.”

    Ghana will play Angola in the Kumasi on March 23 before traveling to Luanda for the reverse fixture four days later. The Black Stars are joint top of Group E alongside Angola with four points after two games.

    KPE

  • GFA denies stealing $1 million from funds meant to sponsor league expansion

    GFA denies stealing $1 million from funds meant to sponsor league expansion

    Allegations that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) stole $1 million from the betPawa sponsorship agreement, which was intended to promote the Ghana Premier League, have been vigorously refuted.

    The organisation has come under fire for failing to advertise the premier league, leading to claims of financial misconduct.

    Speaking to Akoma FM, GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, rejected the accusations as false, and explained that the association even promotes league matches more than the clubs themselves. He stated that promotion is not the responsibility of a particular group only, and clubs must also do their part, as they receive the majority share of the gate proceeds.

    “Sometimes it seems FA promotes the games but the clubs do not. Clubs were told to do pre-match conferences on Thursdays and Fridays, they started and stopped later, and should the FA apply the laws journalists will jump to the conclusion that we (the FA) are against them,” Harrison Addo added.

    On the whereabouts of the $1 million allocated for the promotion of the league, Harrison Addo explained that attendance is not only about the promotion Betpawa wants to do. He cited a past instance where a sponsor had wanted to do something similar but could not, since all sponsorship money had been given to the clubs. Therefore, in the betPawa deal, the company had decided to keep $1 million for promotion and other related activities, including the locker room bonus.

    The GFA have been working towards improving the Ghana Premier League’s image and has recently secured a $10 million sponsorship deal with StarTimes. The association hopes to use this funding to improve the league’s infrastructure and overall quality.

  • Aduana Stars coach, two others contend February’s Coach of the Month

    Aduana Stars coach, two others contend February’s Coach of the Month

    For the February NASCO Coach of the Month honour, three coaches are competing.

    Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin of the Aduana Stars, Karim Zito of Dreams FC, and Umar Abdul Rabi, who recently left his position as coach of Medeama, are all on the short list.

    In the month of February, the trio was in charge of their teams’ impressive performances.

    Out of the four matches played last month, Paa Kwesi Fabin’s Aduana Stars won three and drew one. Without giving up a goal, his team scored five.

    In the four games, Karim Zito’s Dreams FC won two, drew one, and lost one. They scored four goals while also giving up two.

    Umar Abdul Rabi guided Medeama to three wins, and one draw in three games last month. They scored seven goals and conceded two.

    The winner will receive a 43-inch NASCO television set from Electroland Ghana Limited.

    The winner will be announced on the GFA News bulletin on Friday, March 3, 2023.

  • Dignified burial will be given to Atsu – Akufo-Addo pledges

    Dignified burial will be given to Atsu – Akufo-Addo pledges

    H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, has stated that he will take all necessary steps to ensure that the late Black Stars winger Christian Atsu is given a respectable funeral.

    The President made this statement on Monday, February 27, when he welcomed the player’s family and Ghana FA officials to the Jubilee House.

    “I want the Chief of Staff to make sure we organise a state-assisted funeral for Christian Atsu depending on the date that you the members of the family and the GFA will select.

    “Everything will be done from the point of view of the government to make sure that he is given a dignified exit. I owe it as my responsibility as President to make sure that that happens,” President Akufo-Addo stressed.

    The Ghanaian President continued, “The decision as to when the funeral will take place depends on the family. That is the tradition in Ghana. Whatever the decision, whatever date you choose, you should know that the government will stand squarely behind you to make sure that we give him a fitting burial”.

    Christian Atsu’s funeral has not yet been scheduled, but his family has set March 4 as the start of a one-week mourning period.

  • Atsu’s family to meet Akufo-Addo today concerning burial arrangement

    Atsu’s family to meet Akufo-Addo today concerning burial arrangement

    Today, Monday, February 27, 2023, President Akufo-Addo is scheduled to meet with the family of late Christian Atsu as well as representatives of the Ghana Football Association, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif to discuss the final burial arrangement for the deceased.

    Following the 7.8 magnitude catastrophe, Christian Atsu was discovered dead under the debris at his residence in the Turkish province of Hatay.

    His body was subsequently brought to Ghana with government representatives, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians, in general offering their condolences to the bereaved family.

    On March 4, 2023, the deceased footballer will be remembered with a one-week memorial observation at Adjiringanor in Accra. 

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif told the media that: “We will call on the President on Monday. Once we do that, the plan that the family has tabled before the Ministry and GFA would be made public because it is subject to the confirmation of the president.  A funeral planning committee has also been set up to ensure a befitting funeral.”

    The government has vowed to fully engage with the family in giving Atsu a proper burial.

    Last Friday, discussions were completed between the Atsu family, Ghana Football Association representatives, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif ahead of the late footballer’s final funeral rites.

    Meanwhile, the family says it is incredibly grateful for the affection and support shown to them in the wake of the tragic passing of their relative in the devastating earthquake in Turkey.

    The Twasams are especially appreciative of the assistance received from the government, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Ghanaians during this difficult time.

    Robert Ani, a family spokesman, told Citi News that the family’s gratitude for Christian Atsu’s demise cannot be adequately expressed in words.

    “The support of government and Ghanaians has been overwhelming. First, I want to thank President Akufo-Addo for taking a keen interest right from when the incident occurred. The President has been very helpful. We just want to say thank you to him and Ghanaians also. The support has been overwhelming. People have been calling, visiting and offering the support they can. So far, I will say that it has been overwhelming”, he said.

  • Ghana Premier League matches: E-ticketing to be blamed for low interest in games – GFA boss

    Ghana Premier League matches: E-ticketing to be blamed for low interest in games – GFA boss

    Kurt Okraku, says that the introduction of e-ticketing was a factor in the low attendance at Ghana Premier League games.

    The low patronage ranks highly on the list of difficulties that the 2022–2023 betPawa Ghana Premier League season has faced.

    Kurt Okraku thinks that the introduction of e-ticketing has created a significant issue, despite the fact that many have blamed the calibre of pitches, officiating, and level of competition for the decline in attendance.

    Kurt Okraku thinks the Ghana Premier League should have gradually implemented the e-ticketing system, which was implemented for the Black Stars’ FIFA World Cup playoff match against Nigeria in March 2022.

    “I see a lot of fans go to the stadiums like Bechem, Bibiani, Dawu, and Aduana but the venues where fans are not patronising the league are the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.”

    “Deployment of electronic ticketing system has been a major problem. I believe the football people needed a lot of education before it was introduced. So since the introduction of the e-ticketing patronage of the league at the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara has been low,” he said on Asempa FM.

    He added that the GFA will meet with the National Sports Authority to review the e-ticketing system being used in the Ghana Premier League.

    “The GFA is ready to sit down with the National Sports Authority to discuss this problem and work toward it,” he concluded.

  • Ghana Football growth: Solicit no funds from aspirants ahead of elections – Hasaacas CEO to GFA

    Ghana Football growth: Solicit no funds from aspirants ahead of elections – Hasaacas CEO to GFA

    Paapa Kwesi Esson Arbuah, the CEO of Sekondi Hasaacas, has offered his perspective on how Ghanaian football can advance.

    According to him, club administrators will play a significant part in the development of football in the nation.

    He advised club administrators not to solicit donations from GFA presidential candidates prior to an election in a statement to Spemso FM.

    “If clubs administrators want football to progress, they should not collect money from aspirants prior to an election,” Paapa Kwesi Esson Arbuah.

    Ghana football has been on a drastic decline in the last few years.

    While the Ghanaian top-flight league, the Ghana Premier League is not ranked among the best on the continent, there is a lack of recognition when it comes to global ranking.

    Oftentimes, corruption has been tagged on the football administration with the FA administration in place at the moment often lambasted for the alleged running of the sport in the country.

  • Christian Atsu is not my husband – Alleged wife clears the air

    Christian Atsu is not my husband – Alleged wife clears the air

    Former Black Stars player Christian Atsu, who lost his life in the Turkey Earthquake, has been mourned by many, and there have been various reports of his wife grieving over the incident.

    A viral video captured a white woman, purported to be Atsu’s wife, mourning over her loss. In the video, she spoke about how she was trying to be strong for her children but missed her husband terribly.

    “I know it hurts, but I’m trying to be strong for my kids. I miss him. I miss him so much,” she said in the video.

    However, the woman with the TikTok ID @sofiakasy has since cleared the air about her alleged relationship with the former Black Stars player. She confirmed that she has no relations with Atsu whatsoever.

    “I am getting a lot of comments about me being Atsu’s wife. I am not Atsu’s wife, I do not know even if I am saying the name right, but I feel sorry for his wife,” she said.

    She clarified that her utterances were in reference to her fiancé, whom she lost during the disaster.

    “I lost my husband, my fiancé, my everything in the Turkey earthquake, and I just wanted to come out here and let everyone know I am not Atsu’s wife,” she said.

    Meanwhile, plans are underway to give Atsu a befitting burial, as promised by the government. After a meeting between his family, the Ghana Football Association and the Sports Ministry, it was announced that his one-week celebration would be commemorated on March 4, 2023.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Talks underway: GFA to honour Atsu by retiring Black Stars jersey No.7

    Talks underway: GFA to honour Atsu by retiring Black Stars jersey No.7

    In memory of the late Christian Atsu, the Ghana Football Association is considering retiring the number 7 jersey from the Black Stars.

    Following the devastating earthquake that struck the Turkish city of Hatay on February 6, 2023, Atsu passed away.

    On February 18, 2023, the dead body of Atsu was discovered among the debris of his destroyed apartment.

    Linford Boadu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Football Association (RFA), hinted that the Ghana FA intended to retire the number 7 jersey in memory of Atsu in an interview with Koforidua-based Bryt FM.

    “It’s a sad situation. I wasn’t expecting Atsu to be staying in that big apartment like that, I was expecting him to be staying in a single apartment but I think there wasn’t stability after joining the club in Turkey”

    “It was difficult to believe anybody can survive after that 45 seconds earthquake but we were hoping to find Atsu alive until news broke he has been found dead. He served the nation wholeheartedly, and at the short ceremony in receiving the body of Atsu, the vice President, Dr Bawumia disclosed government will be involved in giving him a befitting burial. That is a big plus, to me, Atsu deserves a befitting burial looking at how he served the nation.

    “The Executive council of the FA is thinking about of a lot of things; some thinks the number 7 jersey must be retired in honour of Atsu but there should be a meeting to decide.”

    Atsu had been trapped under rubble for over 11 days before his passing, with the earthquake claiming the lives of over 45,000 people.

    The Ghanaian had recently scored his first goal for Hatayaspor just hours before the natural disaster struck.

    During his career, Atsu played 65 matches for Ghana, scoring nine goals. Two of his most famous goals came in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Egypt and in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash against Guinea, where he scored an absolutely breathtaking goal.

  • Nhyiaeso MP calls for establishment of support fund for Atsu’s family

    Nhyiaeso MP calls for establishment of support fund for Atsu’s family

    Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency and Deputy Minister-nominee for Trade and Industry, Stephen Amoah, wants a support fund to be established for the family of former Black Stars player, Christian Atsu, following his demise.

    Former Ghana international, Christian Atsu was found dead from the rubble of the devastating Turkey earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, and has claimed over 45,000 lives.

    A brief ceremony was held at the Kotoka International Airport on Sunday evening to receive the mortal remains of the 2015 AFCON best player by the family, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and the Government of Ghana.

    The 31-year-old’s death has plunged Ghana and the football world into a state of mourning with many yet to recover from the shock of his demise.

    MP for Nhyiaeso, Stephen Amoah, phoned in to LUV FM’s Saturday Sports Show to express his condolences to the family of Christian Atsu, the GFA and the entire sports fraternity.

    He proposed a fund be set up for his family and a monument built to honour Atsu to preserve his legacy in Ghana football.

    “What I am begging all of us to do is to set up a fund for his family, I mean his kids because everybody is saying he is a good person.

    “And I think this is the first time we are experiencing this as a country that out of this unfortunate situation, we have lost a great person like Atsu.

    “So I am just proposing that let’s all push for something for his family.

    “There should be a monument done for this guy [Atsu] close to any of our stadia and I’m sure it will motivate other people but I am very sad.”

    The Ghana Premier League and the major European leagues, including the EPL, observed a minute of silence over the weekend to pay tribute to the departed Christian Atsu.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Stop the hypocrisy – John Paintsil hits out at GFA

    Stop the hypocrisy – John Paintsil hits out at GFA

    In the midst of the mourning for late Ghana winger Christian Atsu, former Black Stars defender John Paintsil has blasted the GFA administration.

    The Ghana FA, along with many others who were connected to the player, released a statement to express their condolences after the player’s body was found beneath the rubble of the Turkey earthquake on Saturday.

    “You snubbed him and kicked him out of your Black Stars at age 31. Atsu has been struggling to get a permanent stay in a club since the snub.

    “We all know the value and respect your club gives you when you play for your nation.”

    “Don’t pretend you loved him because you don’t at all,” John Paintsil told Original FM in an interview.

    Meanwhile, the remains of Christian Atsu have arrived in Ghana from Turkey. His family is set to make the necessary arrangements for his burial.

  • How Sam George predicted Chris Hughton’s appointment as Black Stars coach

    How Sam George predicted Chris Hughton’s appointment as Black Stars coach

    On January 23, 2023, Outspoken legislator, Sam Nartey George, revealed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had picked Chris Hughton as the Black Stars coach.

    He detailed that Chris Hughton had already been chosen as the head coach but the GFA only followed formalities by opening an application for the Black Stars coaching role.

    Speaking in an interview on Joynews, Sam George said, “That job has been given to Chris Hughton already. They’ve given it to him because they want someone they can manipulate,” the legislator stated.

    “Someone they can use for their business. Someone whose selections they can interfere with. Let’s not waste our time. People are using GFA to feed their families so let’s go and look for money to eat,” he continued.

    He stressed that the GFA has been compromised, citing the case of Baba Rahman’s involvement in the World cup.

    “Some people are using GFA to feed their families. Have you forgotten what happened at the World Cup,” the NDC MP claimed

    “Tell me how Baba Rahman found his way into our final squad in our last game at the World Cup. What ball has he played in the past? Is Baba Rahman’s agent not our GFA president?

    “People should not annoy us in this country because we have already powdered our faces and laughing,” he added.

    Barely less than a month he made this statement, the GFA announced the former Republic of Ireland international as the new trainer for the team.

    He replaces Otto Addo who left his role following the country’s early exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    This vindicates Sam George as many doubted what he said earlier.

  • Chris Hughton appointed Black Stars head coach

    Chris Hughton appointed Black Stars head coach

    Professional football manager and former player, Chris Hughton, has been appointed to lead the Ghana National team, the Black Stars.

    The appointment was announced by the GFA in a statement on Sunday, February 12, 2023.

    His appointment also follows the resignation of former coach Otto Addo who resigned after Black Stars was kicked out of the World Cup tournament.

    Addo was head of the team with assistance from George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani after being appointed in March with Hughton serving as the technical advisor of the team.

    However, after more than a month since the job became vacant, the Ghana FA has now announced Hughton to be the next man in the dugouts for the Black Stars.

    A statement on the FA’s website read, “The Ghana Football Association has the pleasure to appoint Chris Hughton as Head Coach of the Black Stars following extensive deliberations between the two parties.

    “The appointment is in line with the vision of the GFA to continue with the project of building a formidable squad that started with Otto Addo in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament.”

    Just like they did under Otto Addo, Boateng and Didi Dramani will maintain their posts as the team’s assistant coaches.

  • We need a coach who won’t take orders from people – Asamoah Gyan on Black Stars

    We need a coach who won’t take orders from people – Asamoah Gyan on Black Stars

    Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer, has suggested that the Black Stars require a coach who will be resolute in making his own judgments and not submit to direction from the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    He believes that having a tough coach will put the Black Stars back where they belong and that having specific attributes could help the team.

    Following Otto Addo’s resignation from his position following the Black Stars’ early withdrawal from the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Ghana FA is looking for a new head coach.

    James Kwasi Appiah, who wants to lead the club for a third time, and Chris Hughton are two coaches who are considering applying for the open position.

    “We need an experienced coach, someone with strong credentials…Even if he is an inexperienced coach we should be able to identify what the coach has taught the players in terms of their style of play,” he is quotes by JoySports to have told Dan Kwaku Yeboah on YouTube.

    “You can take an inexperienced coach but make sure he understands the game, someone who will make the people understand his philosophy,” he added.

    “Someone who can take charge, not someone who takes orders, you have to be strict and take charge of what you are doing,” Gyan added.

    Before the Black Stars reassemble for the next phase of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, a new head coach is anticipated to be selected.

  • Dr Kofi Amoah wanted to reduce my salary – Kwasi Appiah

    Dr Kofi Amoah wanted to reduce my salary – Kwasi Appiah

    Ghana’s 2014 World Cup coach, Kwasi Appiah, has revealed that president of the now-defunct Normalisation Committee, Dr Kofi Amoah wanted to reduce his salary.

    Appiah, who was on a $35,000 monthly salary during his second tenure between April 2017 and December 2019 had issues with Dr Amoah for his refusal to invite Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng to the Black Stars despite an order from the then GFA boss.

    Dr Amoah earlier threatened to sack the Appiah for not following his orders.

    “He threatened to sack me but I told him I am not afraid of being sacked. Those threats, I have heard them several times but I’m not the type that those threats get to me,” Appiah said on Prime Take with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai on the Joy News channel on Sunday.

    Appiah’s contract was expected to end in April 2019, but due to the AFCON which was moved to June-July, it was extended to have him lead the team to the competition, but before that Dr Amoah wanted to cut his salary.

    “He had a conversation with me about my contract and he was thinking of reducing my salary, but I told him look, you can’t reduce my salary, then he should take the job.

    “He thought I didn’t deserve the [$35,000] salary I was on and when you do that, you are disrespecting whoever you are dealing with.

    “His posture even showed that he had no respect,” he noted.

    He questioned if Dr Amoah would have had the temerity to try to reduce the salary “If it was white guy in charge of the team, or the one who was there before [Avram Grant], we were paying more than $50,000, would he have done that?

    “Is it because I am a Ghanaian, I don’t deserve to be paid well? I even said if you are reducing my salary to give it to my assistants, I will be fine with it, but not to just reduce it, that I won’t accept.

    “He should take the job,” he said.

    Kwasi Appiah led the Black Stars to exit the tournament at the round of 16 stage after losing to Tunisia via penalty shootout.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Former GFA boss Lepowura Jawula is dead

    Former GFA boss Lepowura Jawula is dead

    Former President of the Ghana Football Association(GFA), Lepowura MND Jawula, passed on over the weekend after battling a short illness.

    According to sources, he was initially taken to the University of Ghana Medical Centre before being transported to the US last week for additional treatment, where he passed away.

    In a Twitter post, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed its sadness over the event and sympathised with the family and all who held Mr Jawula at heart.
    “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him,” the GFA wrote.

    Lepowura MND Jawula, a sports enthusiast, served as GFA Chairman from 1997 to 2001. It was under his watch that the Black Starlets lifted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1995.

    Up until his demise, Mr Jawula led the Premier League Management Committee. He was also the Lepowura of the Kujolobito Gate in the Northern Region’s Lepo-
    Kpembe.

  • Hector Cuper, two others shortlisted for Black Stars job – Reports

    Hector Cuper, two others shortlisted for Black Stars job – Reports

    Hector Cuper, a former head coach of Egypt, and two other candidates are said to have made the shortlist for the vacant coaching position with the Black Stars.

    The other two managers are Steve McClaren, an assistant manager at Manchester United, and Chris Hughton, a former coach of Tottenham Hotspurs.

    According to the report, Otto Addo, who left his position after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, would be replaced by one of the aforementioned managers by the Ghana Football Association.

    Hector Cuper and Chris Hughton are the two currently unattached among the three coaches.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/former-ghana-coach-kwesi-appiah-applies-for-vacant-black-stars-coach-job/

    Cuper was fired from his position as coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June 2022, while Chris Hughton departed his position as technical advisor to the Black Stars in December 2022 after his contract expired.

    Henry Asante Twum, a representative for the GFA, stated in a recent interview that the FA will name a new coach by the end of January 2023.

    “I think it will be this month. From the conversations going on it is very likely a new head coach of the Black Stars will be appointed this month. There will be an ExCo meeting soon and everything will be finalized there,” he told Asempa FM.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/ghana-football-legend-mohammed-polo-details-the-type-of-coach-black-stars-needs/

    He also noted that the GFA has received over 60 applications for the Black Stars coaching role.

    “Maybe over 60 applications. The Black Stars is very attractive. You cannot have Mohammed Kudus in your team and think the Black Stars are not attractive. It is an attractive brand, no doubt about that,” he said.

  • Robbing individuals to finance over-bloated, corruption-laden projects must stop – Dr Kofi Amoah

    Robbing individuals to finance over-bloated, corruption-laden projects must stop – Dr Kofi Amoah

    Businessmen and economist, Dr Kofi Amoah, has urged persons and institutions who have been affected by the government’s debt exchange programme to fight the injustice and raw deal that has been handed them.

    According to Dr Amoah, it is unconscionable that one of the supposed safest investments – government instruments- can go so horribly wrong that a debt exchange programme has to be instituted.

    In a tweet shared on his personal and verified page this week, Dr Amoah said the consequence of the exchange programme is far-reaching and damning.
    “Ghanaians must not sit and accept financial injustice from their govt. Everywhere in the world, investing in govt financial instruments is considered the safest investment with the assured payback of investors’ funds.”

    Explaining further when contacted by GhanaWeb, the former president of the GFA Normalization Committee said there is a danger of eroding the savings culture of many Ghanaians due to this debt exchange programme.

    “Ghana cannot become an outlier in this globally recognized comfort zone unless we want to be counted among the failed and misgoverned countries of the world. There are far-reaching negative consequences for such behaviour.

    Govt must choose paying its debt to haemorrhaging individual bondholders over spending billions on some ill-conceived, unsustainable projects calculated to win some legacy points for politicians and their political parties.”

    He urged right-thinking Ghanaians to join those affected by this policy to fight against this policy which he says would be detrimental to many people and households.
    “When they come for me in the day and you say nothing because it’s not you, they may come for you in the thick of night and no one can see or come to your aid”.

    The Habit of Robbing Individuals’ Hard-earned Money to Finance Over-bloated, corruption-laden projects Must be Halted

    Support Lawyer Kpebu in assisting people get their money taken with force by govt

    Govt debts are supposed to be the safest everywhere???????? https://t.co/VLh1JMm9fS

    — CitizenKofi (@amoah_citizen) January 10, 2023

    Debt Exchange

    On December 5, 2022, the Government of Ghana launched Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange programme, an invitation for the voluntary exchange of approximately GHS137 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, including E.S.L.A. and Daakye bonds, for a package of New Bonds to be issued by the Republic.

    In a statement released after the announcement of the debt exchange, the finance minister, Ken Ofori Atta explained why the policy has become imperative.

    “The objective is to reduce the excessive burden created by our debt on our economy and reach the debt sustainability targets defined by the IMF staff for the period through 2028 and beyond. In particular, to restore debt sustainability, we plan to reduce our total public debt-to-GDP ratio to 55% in present value terms.”

  • GFA drags Sompa FM, Jeffrey Asare to court for defamation

    The Ghana Football Association has sued Sompa FM and its journalist Jeffrey Asare for defamation.

    The plaintiff per a writ issued is Michael Oskere, who is reported to hold the position, Chief of Staff at the GFA.

    The said role has got many Ghanaians on social media baffled.

    The suit comes as no surprise as the Ghana Football Association announced that it has instructed its lawyers to institute legal action against persons who defame the Association, its officials, products, and the Black Stars brand, as well as media platforms used to do the same.

    According to the Association in a press release, the legal forum will provide the opportunity for such persons to present any evidence to substantiate their allegations. 

    The GFA noted that its action stems from some individuals deliberately maligning and defaming the GFA and the Black Stars brand in an attempt to manufacture a non-existent scandal about the team. 

    This erupted following the exit of the senior national team, the Black Stars, from the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Qatar in 2022.

  • Ensure Chris Hughton stays in Ghana if he is appointed as Black Stars coach – Dr Nyaho Tamakloe to GFA

    Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has urged the leadership of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to appoint Chris Hughton as the next Black Stars coach, adding that they must ensure he stays in the country.

    The Black Stars are currently without a coach after Otto Addo stepped down from his role following Ghana’s early exit from the Mundial in Qatar.

    Hughton, who served as Ghana’s technical advisor during Addo’s tenure, has been mooted as a possible replacement.

    Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe is backing the former Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest manager to become Ghana’s next head coach.

    The veteran football administrator believes Hughton has what it takes to bring success to the Ghana national team but must stay in Ghana if he lands the job.

    ”I think Chris Hughton will be the right person because of his background. He has the African background; secondly, he is a coach with experience and also has had the opportunity to know these boys,” the former GFA chairman told the Graphic Sport.

    “If Chris Hughton is given the job, then he should come and stay in Ghana and form his local Black Stars to ensure that the nucleus of the team should come from them. He should be able to create and also train strikers for the Black Stars.”

    Hughton previously served under different managers at Tottenham and combined his role with being an assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland.

    He has also worked at Newcastle United, Norwich and Brighton as head coach

  • GFA, FIFA to present over 30,000 footballs to schools in Ghana

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to donate more than 33,000 footballs to schools throughout the nation in collaboration with FIFA, UNESCO, the Ministry of Youth & Sports, and the Ministry of Education.

    Through this project, football will be used as a vehicle for social development, and schools will get support to better the lives of schoolchildren around the nation.

    Students between the ages of 4 and 14 may participate in this program through FIFA’s Football for School initiative at schools that have physical education teachers who are certified to do so.

    In January 2023, the GFA will launch this program in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Youth and Sports.

    In the growth of grassroots football in Ghana, schools and colleges continue to play a significant role in the Ghana Football Association.

    FIFA will send approximately 33,000 footballs to Ghana, and it is anticipated that the Ministry of Education will assist in clearing the footballs to ensure a prompt program launch and an equitable distribution to schools in all areas and for boys and girls.

     

     

  • GFA directs lawyers to drag persons who defame Black Stars and the Association to court

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has instructed its lawyers to institute legal action against persons who defame the Association, its officials, products and destroy the Black Stars brand as well as the media platforms used to do same.

    According to the Association in a press release, the legal forum will provide the opportunity for such persons to bring any evidence to substantiate their allegations. 

    The GFA noted that its action stems from some individuals deliberately maligning and defaming the GFA and the Black Stars brand in an attempt to manufacture a non-existent scandal about the team. 

    This erupted following the exit of the senior national team, the Black Stars from the on-going FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022.

    After the Stars’ exit, the GFA apologised to the general public and all stakeholders and also indicated that we will continue with the positive lessons going into the future.

    The Association noted that it “has since kept an open mind and continue to listen and receive comments, suggestions, and ideas from well-meaning Ghanaians both home and abroad for the improvement of the team.”

    On the way forward, GFA says it will continue to encourage opinions and comments being expressed aimed at improving the team and the brand. 

     

     

  • GFA, Saudi Arabian Football Federation sign MoU for mutual benefits

    The Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF) and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual benefits.

    SAFF President Yasser Almisehal and GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku put pen to paper in a signing ceremony held at Saudi House in Doha on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

    The agreement aims to develop strong relations between the two Federations to help the promotion, growth and success of football at all levels.

    It provides a framework for collaboration across all areas of the game, from grassroots to elite football, including youth and women’s football.

    SAFF is committed to hosting both the Ghanaian men and women national teams for matches and training camps as well as exchanges for key experts across areas related to coaching, refereeing or administrative matters.

    “We’re excited to establish this MoU with the Ghana Football Association and create this partnership moving forward,” said President Al Misehal.

    “The quality and talent in Ghanaian football is known across the world and we at SAFF are keen to work closely together to allow our youngsters to gain valuable playing experience while benefiting from their key insights and strengths. We look forward to working together in a meaningful manner and open up mutually beneficial opportunities.” he added.

    GFA, Saudi Arabian Football Federation sign MoU for mutual benefits

    Commenting on the new partnership, Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku said, “Ghana has a longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia and it is only right that we expand this level of cooperation to football – an area that unites people”.

    “Our brothers at the SAFF led by President Yasser Al Misehal have clearly demonstrated their desire to strengthen their football to reach the highest level and we also have the same vision so it is essential for us to partner in various areas of the game to achieve our aims and objectives.” President Simeon-Okraku added.

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing countries in world sport with football at its heart. Over 80% of the country’s 35 million population play, follow and attend football.

    The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has been implementing an ambitious strategy to grow the sport across the Kingdom and become one of the top 20 best football nations.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • There was no approach from Ghana to play for Black Stars – Danny Welbeck 

    Brighton and Hove Albion forward, Danny Welbeck, has disclosed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) did not officially approach him over a possible nationality switch from England to Ghana.

    The 32-year-old was born in Manchester to Ghanaian parents and made his senior debut in 2011 for the Three Lions as a substitute against Ghana in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium.

    There was no approach from Ghana to play for Black Stars – Danny Welbeck 
    LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 29: Richard Kingson of Ghana (right) saves a shot from Danny Welbeck of England during the international friendly match between England and Ghana at Wembley Stadium on March 29, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

    The 42-capped Englishman revealed choosing to play for his country of birth was not a difficult decision to make.

    “There wasn’t like an official approach from Ghana to come and play for them or anything like that, so it wasn’t as hard as a decision like people would have thought,” he told the YouTube channel, Michael Dapaah, in an interview.

    “It was natural for me because I’ve been playing for England since I was 14 so it’s like a natural progression to try and reach that next step.

    “You know you want to get to the next stage group, 19, 21, and the senior team.”

    The former Manchester United and Arsenal star said making his senior England debut against the country of his parents is a memory he will always keep with him.

    “I remember this game because I made my debut against Ghana,” Welbeck added.

    “It was like my family, not in the England section, and they are like boo; they were booing along as well, so it was a mad moment, but one that is definitely a highlight.”

    Source: Myjoyonline