Hot!
Attack on Dede, not healthy
• Ayew – Distraught after the penalty miss
Tonnes of harsh, bigoted comments freely decanted moments after Ghana captain Andre Dede Ayew, blew off a spot-kick presented to Ghana. It was his first penalty miss for the nation.
The verbal onslaughts were, certainly, directed at the skipper after he failed to put away the dead-ball against Uruguay during the second Group H game of the ongoing Qatar World Cup – which ends tomorrow.
The Black Stars had staggered to a 2-3 loss to Portugal in the group’s opener, but supremely recovered to upstage South Korea 3-2, giving itself a lifeline heading into the Uruguay nerve-jangler.
Ghana desperately wanted a draw against the Uruguayans to qualify to the Round of 16 stage – the latter having lost and drawn to Portugal and South Korea respectively and needed a win to pull through.
The Stars had been tipped to beat Uruguay and avenge the agonising defeat of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Luis Suarez handballed a goal-bound ball in the last seconds of their scorching quarter-final tie, denying Ghana from becoming the first African country to qualify for Mundial’s semi-final berth.
It is the reason the final game of Group H attracted the cynosure of all eyes – Suarez making it worse by his comments at a presser ahead of the game that he had no regrets for the ‘transgressions’ he committed 12 years ago. Perhaps, he was right, as he got punished for that sin with a red-card and penalty against his side which was wasted by top-goal poacher Asamoah Gyan.
Heart-rending as the Qatar first round exit may be, there is nothing we can do about it now than put the defeat behind us and plan again. The gratuitous attack on Andre and the Stars will not change the result.
Let us stop picking on certain players – and leaving others. In their game against Poland at the Stadium 974, Argentina star Lionel Messi, missed a penalty but they went ahead to win 2-0. Thus, arguments that if Andre had scored the penalty against Uruguay, Ghana would have won the game, is a deflated one.
If anything at all, we should be working right away to ensure we avert future pitfalls so we can have successful campaigns.
Truth is that we have a multi-talented team that can take the world by storm if well harnessed and shepherded. With a very competent coach, this crop of young, inexperienced players can be turned into world beaters one day.
Having said that, the National Sports Authority (NSA), Board Chairman – Seth Panwum NSA, must be commended for leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Andre Ayew and his family last week.
That is the way to go; it is great to show such support to him when the captain seems down after the tournament.
Indeed, Andre’s service to Ghana since busting onto the scene for Ghana in a four-nation tournament in 2007, has been phenomenal – and little wonder, he is the nation’s most-capped players with 113 appearances.
He deserves some backing now – not condemnation for a player who captained Ghana to win the continent’s only FIFA Under-20 World Cup as far back as 2009.
By John Vigah
Hot!
Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
Hot!
Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
