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Kurt Okraku inspires Black Starlets ahead of Nigeria clash today
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President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, on Monday, met the National Under-17 team, the Black Starlets, to inspire them ahead of their 3rd place playoff with Nigeria on Tuesday.
The Black Starlets will take on their counterparts, the Golden Eaglets, in a fierce battle to determine who finishes 3rd in the WAFU Zone B Under-17 Championship.
Ghana, after a promising start in the competition at the group stage, fell to Burkina Faso in the semi-finals.
The loss to Burkina Faso, coupled with the announcement by Coach Laryea Kingston of his resignation moments after the defeat to Burkina Faso, naturally took a toll on the young Starlets players.
Deputy Head Coach of the side, Nana Kweku Agyemang, was immediately tasked to lead the technical team to play the 3rd place playoff game with Nigeria.
After the team’s final training session on Monday in preparation for the game, President Simeon-Okraku called on the team to lift themselves for the game.
“Let’s never depart from how we have been taught to play. Let us stay together,” he said.
“There are lots of talents in this team. Let no one deceive you that you are not talents. I am the leader of football in this country, and I have trust in this team. And per the arrangements the FA has put in place, when you finish playing at Under-17 level, you will move to Under-18 to continue with your progressive development,” he added.
He then charged the team to be focused on the next opponent and go for the bronze medal of the competition.
He charged them, “Let’s be focused on our next opponents, Nigeria. They are beatable. Just don’t panic when things are difficult. Just be relaxed and keep playing to your strengths and the best of your abilities: You will get there.”
The Black Starlets will take on the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria at the University of Ghana Stadium at 16:00GMT on Tuesday to determine who goes home with the bronze medal.
Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato says the imprisonment of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will have little meaning unless it leads to a broader crackdown on illegal mining.
In a post on his Facebook page on the July 21, 2026, Dr. Zaato said the judgment should mark the beginning of efforts to completely eradicate galamsey and hold all those involved accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.
He said the country must work towards restoring polluted rivers, protecting forests and ensuring that people implicated in illegal mining activities are prosecuted.
According to him, those the President has publicly acknowledged to be involved in galamsey should face prosecution.
He called for the prosecution of district chief executives (DCEs), members of Parliament (MPs) and senior political party officials who have been accused of engaging in or supporting illegal mining.
Dr. Zaato further urged the government to take decisive action to end the destruction of the country’s forests caused by galamsey.
He maintained that the imprisonment of Chairman Wontumi would only have a lasting impact if it results in a comprehensive and impartial fight against illegal mining across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Government of Ghana has expressed profound sadness over the passing of His Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, King of Dagbon.
In a statement issued on Monday, President John Dramani Mahama, on behalf of the Government, extended his deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the people of Dagbon, and the entire nation.
“The Government of Ghana has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of His Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II,” the statement said.
President Mahama described the late King as a distinguished traditional ruler whose reign was defined by healing, reconciliation, and lasting peace in Dagbon following years of conflict.
The statement noted that His Majesty’s “unwavering commitment to unity, stability, and the welfare of his people created an enabling environment for development”and strengthened the partnership between traditional authorities and Government in advancing progress across Dagbon and Ghana.
The Government paid tribute to the life and legacy of Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, and honoured his invaluable service to the nation.
“May his wisdom, leadership, and dedication to peace continue to inspire future generations. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the statement concluded.
The passing of Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II marks the end of an era for Dagbon, which saw significant strides in unity and development under his leadership.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
