Features
AFCON 2021: Ghana’s shocking exit!
Just before the start of AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, many Ghanaians were hopeful that the Black Stars would live up to expectation and surprise the world by winning the cup for the fifth time even though the players were not the most experienced and the best compared with others we have had over the years.
It came out as a shock to many if not all Ghanaians that the Black Stars had to be booted out after only the group stages, having lost to Morocco, drawn with Gabon and humbled by the new sensation island, Comoros. This year’s competition was the most disgraceful for Ghana, especially when Comoros Island defeated the Black Stars and moved on to the next stage of the competition.
The whole world sees Ghana as a great football nation that has always put up splendid performance to win competitive laurels. Failure to win the AFCON 2021 Cup is not really the issue that worries Ghanaians even though the nation would have been happy if the cup had been won. What is very disturbing to Ghanaians is the fact that the Ghana Football Association appears not to be exercising efficient management of football in this country. Many of its members have neglected to play the role of efficient management of tapping and managing football talents at various levels from first, second and third divisions to the Ghana Premier League level as well as the national team level where talented players could be identified and brought together to constitute the best national team to win competitions on the continent and in the world as a whole.
UNFORTUNATE SITUATION
Unfortunately, this has not been the case and many Ghanaians have become disappointed and even lost interest in the ongoing AFCON 2021. This is a very sad situation, indeed.
The truth of the matter is that the game of football is no longer the monopoly of a few countries. Rather, the whole world, through well endowed and less endowed countries, are seriously learning and doing all they can about football, so as to be able to go higher and higher to win laurels.
Gone were the days when countries like Morocco, Ghana, Egypt and a few others were considered masters of the game. Today, less known countries in the area of football have exploited the area and pulled up surprises in competitive football whether at the continental or global level.
SKILLS BY LESS KNOWN COUNTRIES
This explains why Comoros Islands, Gambia, Equatorial Guinea and others have surprised the world with the skills they are displaying in the ongoing AFCON 2021.
There are many things that are wrong with football organisation in Ghana. First of all, the commitment of the GFA is in great doubt and their coach recruitment policy for the national team has not proved to be the best. Coaches are brought in for the national team as and when a few people in the GFA think that particular people ought to be selected to train the Black Stars.
It is becoming clear that this policy will have to be changed. We need to train some of our own nationals to make sure that their Ghanaian identity and pride is always exhibited during football matches at all levels.
GHANAIAN COACHES
In fact, the previous achievements of the Black Stars and the junior national teams came about from coaches who were Ghanaians and committed to the task. In 1982, when the Black Stars won the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth time, they did not use any foreigner to win the cup.
What is important, therefore, is for Ghana as a nation to develop football pitches all over the country to create opportunities for the young ones to train in the game of football. The current policy of the Ministry of Sports to build facilities in various districts and regions will soon begin to yield good results for the country, so that policy must be implemented.
Apart from the availability of football pitches for training, Ghana needs to also identify younger people throughout the country for competitive football at the various levels. This should not be limited only to men but the females as well.
NUMEROUS FOOTBALL TALENTS
Many people have argued that from what they see in the rural areas, the country abounds in football talents in all the villages and towns throughout. The Ghana Football Association must, therefore, embrace the task of hunting football talents in all parts of the country and grooming them into efficient working force for our Premier League as well as the national teams.
We should not just be happy with what was done yesterday or depend on the past glory of the nation, but strive to attain better things for the good of our motherland. If things are organised better in this way, the nation will soon make use of football stars from both male and female teams and export them to clubs outside to bring in the needed revenue to the country. When talented football stars are facilitated to join foreign clubs, the money they earn would be brought into the country to assist families and friends and thereby help in the promotion of socioeconomic development. At the same time, it will also help to raise the standard of football in all parts of the country.
Since football is the passion of the nation, we need to begin now to reorganise things in a better way to bring in more fruitful results for the overall good of Ghana and its citizens. This can be done so we must encourage the growth of football in all dimensions, so as to make use of talented individuals in that field to create wealth for the country.
PERSONAL TEAMS
It is good to have personal teams owned by members of the GFA. However, if these football teams are owned and used only to serve personal economic interests, then the issue of selfishness comes in.
This is why we must pay attention to the national good and ensure that whatever is done in the area of football goes to serve our national interest. Let all the football administrators go by this principle and more trophies can be won for the country whether at the Africa continental or FIFA level.
Contact email/whatsApp of author:
pradmat2013@gmail.com(0553318911)
By Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
