Sports
A Dream test for Kotoko
The long-awaited Ghana Premier League (GPL) 2021/2022 returned yesterday after 140 days of respite and saw debutants Accra Lions take on Elmina Sharks in a very cagey contest at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The action continues this weekend across all game centres with the top-liner being an evening fixture tonight between Dreams FC and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Under new gaffer Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, the Porcupine Warriors will be eager to thrill their expectant fans to some spectacular football, following their massive buys as they start their campaign in a cagey game tonight.
New signings including Stephen Amankona, Joseph Amoako and Cameroonian forward Mbella Franch Thierry are expected to give the Fabulous a flamboyant debut.
On Sunday, defending champions Hearts of Oak will look to put their CAF Champions League disappointment behind them as they open their title defence against Legon Cities FC at the Accra Sports Stadium – a venue the Phobians have not tasted defeat since the appointment of Samuel Boadu.
But the question still remains; can the Royals halt the Rainbow boys?
At the renovated Dun’s Park in Bibiani tomorrow, new entrants Gold Stars will have their share of the cake when they slug it out with Berekum Chelsea. The Golden Boys will be aiming to cement their stay in the top-flight as they have kept hold of stars including Prince Owusu Kwabena, Ernest Kusi who played an integral role in their truimph as Division One League Champions in Zone 2.
But can Chelsea do without the services of star man Stephen Amankona, who is now a Porcupine?
At the Ohene Ameyaw Park, Eleven Wonders, handled by ex-Ghana International Yaw Acheampong, will hope to start their season on a flyer when they play Ashanti Gold in Techiman.
Elsewhere, West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) will hope to go a step higher on the table this season (finished third last season with 56 points) as they travel to Kumasi to play King Faisal at the renovated Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Real Tamale United (RTU) will try to put on a fine display on their return to the elite division when they battle it out with Great Olympics at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
Bechem United and Medeama SC will look to claim the maximum points at stake when they square off at the Nana Fosu Gyeambour Park in Bechem.
Tomorrow at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park at Aiyinase, impressive Karela United FC will go neck-to-neck with Aduana Stars at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park at Aiyinase to climax the first round of games.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
A Ghana Premier League (GPL) thriller is anticipated at the Baba Yara Stadium tomorrow as Asante Kotoko welcome Medeama SC for their week 12 top-liner.
Fourth placed Kotoko sits two points below Medeama SC who are third on the log. Their position on the log further adds another layer to the fiercest battle expected to unfold.
Before their second round game last season, the two sides shared two wins apiece in their last four league meetings in Kumasi. However, Coach Abdul Karim Zito inflicted a 3-2 victory on the Yellow and Mauves side with former striker Albert Amoah grabbing all three goals.
Tomorrow, Amoah will not be in action and since his departure from the club, Coach Zito’s side have found the going tough in front of goal, a factor that could determine this game.
Kotoko go into tomorrow’s fixture on the back of losing their unbeaten run in 11 games after being beaten 2-1 by Basake Holy Stars on Wednesday in their outstanding Week 3 league fixture.
Before that clash, the University of Ghana Sports Stadium will today host the game between Hearts of Oak and Vision FC.
Hearts coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani hopes his side will carry the day after two draws on the road while coach Nana Kweku Agyemang of Vision FC is also aiming to pick his first victory over the Phobians.
League leaders Aduana FC will trek to the Bibiani Dun’s Park to play as guests of Bibiani Gold Stars tomorrow while second placed Heart of Lions welcome Karela United to the Kpando Stadium.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem United will welcome Hohoe United, Berekum Chelsea will face Samartex FC at the Golden City Park in Berekum while Basake Holy Stars will host Nations FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
In other games, Swedru All Blacks will host Young Apostles at the Swedru Stadium with Eleven Wonders chasing their first victory of the season against Dreams FC on Monday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
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Government has injected more than 3.4 billion cedis into the National Health Insurance Scheme after the removal of the cap on NHIS funding.
The Deputy Chief Executive responsible for Operations, Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, told staff in Tamale that the move is the biggest investment in the Scheme since it was created in 2003.
He explained that the additional funds are already strengthening health financing across the country.
Dr Kwesi Djokoto addressed a trainer of trainers workshop on the ongoing reforms of the National Health Insurance Authority on Friday, November 21.
He noted that in 2024 the Scheme used 52 percent of its resources on claims and is using 65 percent this year, with plans to increase that figure again next year.
He explained that Executive Management, led by Chief Executive Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, is working to build a modern and efficient Scheme that focuses on people and meets its promise of providing fair access to quality health care.
Dr Kwesi Djokoto also outlined the Authority’s digital reforms, which are meant to bring health services closer to members and make the Scheme more resilient.
The initiatives form part of the Telehealth strategy and include the E pharmacy platform, which links patients to nearby pharmacies, the Biometric Membership Authentication System that verifies members seeking care, and a cashless system at registration centres.
He noted that these reforms are designed to improve access to quality health care and support Ghana’s goal of achieving Universal Health Care by 2030.
The Northern Regional Operations Manageress, Madam Fauzia Shingu Alhassan, welcomed participants on behalf of the Regional Director.
She stated that the training is part of reforms aimed at redefining the NHIS and making it sustainable.
She added that the digital upgrades represent major changes that will make the Scheme more efficient, accessible, and trustworthy.
The workshop brought together officials of the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, private health providers, and a representative of the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Mr Gaeten Adangabey.
The Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Oswald Essuah Mensah, and the Acting Deputy Director of MIS, Mr Orison Aflu, took participants through the design of the digital platforms and how they will be rolled out next year.
Other officials present included the Acting Director of MIS, Mr Vitus Kaleo Bioh, Acting Director of the Claims and Illegal Payments Taskforce, Mr Isaac Gideon Akonde, the Head of Communication, Madam Faustina Dery, the Acting Deputy Director of Marketing, Madam Angela Asiedu, and the Acting Deputy Director of Client and Provider Relations, Madam Hamdiya Yakubu.
By: Jacob Aggrey
