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#EIBQatar2022: “Be measured in your expectations” – Akonnor to Ghanaians
Ghana is one of 5 countries scheduled to represent Africa at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana qualified to the Mundial after topping a group which had South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia thereby progressing to the Play-off phase.
In the play-off phase, Ghana qualified at the expense of the much fancied Nigerian side via the away goal rule after playing out goalless draw in Ghana and a 1-1 draw in Nigeria.
Ghana’s Black Stars used 3 different managers to play the World Cup Qualifiers.
Charles Kwablah Akonnor started the World Cup Qualifiers as Ghana’s Head Coach overseeing Ghana’s 1-0 win over Ethiopia and the 0-1 loss to South Africa.
C.K. Akonnor was fired and Milovan Rajevac was brought in.
He was in the dugout for Ghana for 4 World Cup Qualifying Games. He was in charge when Ghana beat Zimbabwe 3-1, then beat Zimbabwe again 1-0, drew 1-1 with Ethiopia and beat South Africa 1-0 at home to top the group and qualify for the play-offs.
After Ghana’s worst ever AFCON showing, Milovan Rajevac was fired.
Borussia Dortmund’s Otto Addo then handled the 2 leg play-offs against Nigeria where Ghana qualified via the away goal rule.
Speaking on Soccer Chat with Fiifi Banson on GHOne TV, Charles Akonnor recognized the potential of Ghana’s team in staging an upset even though the odds do not favour Ghana performing well at the tournament.
However he was also quick to admonish Ghanaians not to demand a lot from this budding team.
“Our expectations shouldn’t be too high but of course I believe there’s a chance for us”, he said.
“I think that it is important that as a country we know where we are now. We played Brazil and lost and then beat Nicaragua. Therefore as Ghanaians, let us hide our differences and support the team because I saw what Ghana being at the World Cup to us in 2006 and 2010. I remeber the joyous celebrations in Ghana and I believe the Black Stars can reach similar goals this year or even do better”, C.K Akonnor added.
Charles Akonnor was of the view that his management style worked during his time with the Black Stars.
“I prepared and went in with a lot of faith believing that things will go on well. In my opinion, things went well.I managed to qualify the team to the AFCON. During rhe World Cup Qualifiers, Covid 19 and injuries led to me losing the job”, he explained.
Ghana’s first game is against Portgual on 24th November 2022 at the 974 Stadium.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
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Energy Minister announces full restoration of power generation units after major grid disruption
Energy Minister, John Jinapor has announced that all power generation units affected by the recent national grid disruption have been fully restored and are back in service.
According to the Minister on social media, engineers, technicians and emergency response teams worked continuously to restore electricity supply and stabilise the national grid after the incident caused major challenges within the power sector.
In a statement, the Minister praised the efforts of personnel from the Ghana Grid Company Limited, Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana for their commitment and coordination during the emergency.
“Mission accomplished. All generation units are now back in service,” the Minister stated.
He explained that despite the scale of the disruption, technical teams worked around the clock to restore power and secure stability within the system.
“Through their tireless work, discipline, and commitment to country, power has been restored and system stability secured,” he said.
The Minister further expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of GRIDCo, VRA, ECG and other supporting agencies for their collective response to the crisis.
According to him, the successful restoration of the system demonstrates the resilience and capability of Ghanaian professionals in times of national difficulty.
“This moment shows that even under pressure, Ghana can rely on the strength and skill of its people,” he added.
The Minister offered prayers for the country’s energy sector and the engineers who led the restoration efforts.
“May God bless our engineers, our energy sector, and our nation,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
