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Heed to Ogum’s call for unity
Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum
In a little over a month, the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) will kick off at various centres.
Preparations towards the big kick off has seen a number of clubs getting busy with pre-season activities, ranging from player recruitment, signing new coaches, engaging in friendly matches among others, all in a bid to strengthen the teams for another long season.
The objectives, however, varies from one club to the other; reflecting in the pre-season activities the clubs are engaged in.
New entrants like Tano Bofoakwa, Nations FC and Kpando Heart of Lions would just not be aiming to strengthen the squads to cope with the challenges at the elite level.
They would also be preoccupied with ensuring that they have very good and competent technical teams to guide them through the Premier League storm.
As a result, Real Bofo, as Bofoakwa is affectionately known, has signed on a former Ghana international and Asante Kotoko legend, Frimpong Manso; Nations FC, seen as King Faisal’s replacement after their relegation in the last season, also brought on board Kasim Ocansey Mingle to reinforce the technical bench.
But the issue regarding coaching has not just been a concern for the promoted clubs. Traditional clubs including Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko and Great Olympics are all walking on similar paths.
While Hearts are expected to announce a substantive Gaffer for the season, Kotoko and Olympics have taken the bull by the horn, announcing returns of their former coaches – Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum and Daniel Annor Walker, respectively.
Significantly, Dr Ogum and Annor Walker appear to be making similar calls to the clubs’ fans to be united to improve the fortunes of their respective clubs.
Unity among Kotoko fans was a major subject for Dr Ogum at his unveiling this week at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
He beseeched the fans to ‘let bygones be bygones’ as the club aimed at reclaiming its top hierarchy in the elite game in Ghana.
Annor Walker has officially not been unveiled but has been consistent in his interactions with friends in the media about the importance of having a united fan base.
Clearly, it shows the importance of leading a club supported by a united fan base.
That gives the players the peace of mind, confidence and desire to play.
Without it, the club struggles as evident among the above mentioned traditional clubs.
Interestingly, fans of Hearts, Kotoko and Olympics appeared the most disunited last season; either having issues with their respective management teams, technical teams and the playing bodies in some instances.
Obviously, it contributed to their poor placement on the league table with Hearts and Olympics even threatened by relegation.
Without doubt, a repeat of such behaviour could further damage the league’s reputation by virtue of having the largest followers who at some stage of the season stayed away from their games as matches were played in empty stadia.
By Andrew Nortey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
