Sports
When Commission’s recommendations are blackened!
Ghana has had a googol of Committees and Commissions of Inquiry over the years. And, it is exciting to see the rapidity with which such groups were put together.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong forming a Committee or Commission to stage a ‘snake-pit’ inquisition into any supposed scandalous activity committed against the state.
Indeed, that is one of the practical steps to take to establish the truth or otherwise of a situation.
Most of the Committees put together are supposed to comprise of men and women of integrity and honesty whose image are always on the line and would stop at nothing to ensure they did a good, solid job.
Such personalities, most often than not, would hardly bend the rules – or dance to anybody’s whim and caprices.
It is sad to say, however, that we are becoming a country that is only animated with the swift formation of such committees, but are not really fascinated about the upshot of the painstaking days and months of sitting.
More painful and heart-throbbing is the fact that we spend tens of thousands of the tax payer’s money on committee sittings only to throw their reports and recommendations into the drain unashamedly.
It is bewildering. It is inconceivable. It is unthinkable. Why we do this as a nation is something that would continue to hound the minds of well-meaning Ghanaians, for many years to come.
Unmistakably, it is increasingly becoming palpable that such committees were only set up to, as it were, gratify the public. Or, you can also say, the authorities were only trying to play the ‘Russian Roulette’ by forming the committees.
As we speak now, there are quite a number of such committee reports and recommendations gathering dusts at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Indeed, you do not have to stretch too much to point to a couple of them in recent times including the Maputo 2011 All Africa Games Committee that recommended for the prosecution of certain individuals enmeshed in financial impropriety.
What happened to the Justice Senyo Dzamefe White Paper Report on the Brazil 2014 World Cup after the ignominious first round exit of the Black Stars? What about the 2018 Australia Visa Scandal Report and its recommendations? You remember the Justice Sule Gbadegbe Commission White Paper Report on Player Transfer Scandal in the late 90s, too?
Question is, why do we decide to splash the tax payer’s hard-earned cash on such Committees and Commissions, all-too aware that we are going to take their recommendations with a pinch of salt?
Many people indicted by such committees have gone scot-free with all their ‘ill-gotten booties’ because the ‘damning’ recommendations have been gum-booted into the abyss.
For how long are we going to tread this disturbingly agonizing path? Forever?
God have mercy on us!
By John Vigah
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
