News
Black Queens’ experience will count in WAFCON opener against Cape Verde-Kim Lars Björkegren
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-29-at-14.30.35.jpeg&description=Black Queens’ experience will count in WAFCON opener against Cape Verde-Kim Lars Björkegren', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-29-at-14.30.35.jpeg&description=Black Queens’ experience will count in WAFCON opener against Cape Verde-Kim Lars Björkegren', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren says his side’s experience will be key when Ghana opens its Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign against debutants Cape Verde.
Speaking ahead of the match, Björkegren said he expects a difficult test but is confident in his team.
“It’s the first time for Cape Verde in the WAFCON, so they will for sure play with a lot of passion,” Björkegren said, adding that “We expect a tough game, but at the same time we believe in ourselves.”
The Swedish coach contrasted this year’s squad with the team that played at the last tournament, noting that nerves affected a largely inexperienced group 12 months ago.
According to him, “We had like 18 or 19 players who were playing their first WAFCON. Now it’s going to be the opposite. We have more experience in this group.”
Björkegren said technical staff have studied Cape Verde extensively, reviewing “all the games that have been possible for one and a half years back.” However, he stressed that the focus remains on Ghana’s own performance.
“The most important thing is to come back to us, to play the game in our way,” he added.
He pointed to the team’s improved defensive record as a foundation for the tournament, citing clean sheets in six to eight games, a 4-0 win over Russia, and a competitive match against England in December.
According to him, “Normally that’s a key factor, to have a strong defence when you’re moving into a big tournament.”
The Black Queens coach set three targets for the campaign: progressing from the group stage, winning the quarter-final to qualify for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, and improving on last year’s bronze medal.
“We will not just be happy with the bronze medal,” he said. “We’re going to do everything to make the final and then go for the gold,” he added.
Björkegren acknowledged the pressure from Ghanaian fans, comparing it to expectations placed on the Black Stars at the FIFA World Cup.
He noted”Outside of Ghana they were the underdogs, but the expectation from the people in Ghana was to go all the way. I know it’s the same thing for us here now.”
He, however, cautioned that several teams share the same ambition.
“We do it with confidence, but also with respect for our opponents, ” he concluded.
Ghana will open its WAFCON campaign against Cape Verde today, who are making their first appearance at the tournament.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako Marfo, has questioned who will bear the cost of conducting presidential and parliamentary primaries following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the party’s delegate system.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Nimako Marfo said he would not immediately comment on the ruling, adding that he wanted to wait for the full details before sharing his views.
“I don’t want to comment on it now. Let’s wait,” he said.
When asked about the Supreme Court’s decision that all members in good standing should vote in party elections, he shifted attention to the financial implications of implementing the ruling.
According to him, allowing all members in good standing to vote would increase the cost of organising internal party elections.
He questioned who would pay for the expanded electoral process.
“Who is going to pay for the cost of the elections?” he asked.
When a journalist suggested that political parties would bear the cost, Mr. Nimako Marfo replied, “Let’s wait and see.”
The comments come after the Supreme Court ruled that political parties should allow all members in good standing to vote in their internal elections, a decision that is expected to expand participation but also increase the financial and logistical demands of organising presidential and parliamentary primaries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Supreme Court of Ghana has declared the delegate system used by political parties to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates unconstitutional.
In a 5-2 majority decision delivered, the Court ruled that the long-standing system violates democratic principles and ordered all political parties to ensure every registered, card-bearing member participates in presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The ruling brings to an end decades of internal party elections conducted by a limited number of delegates.
The suit was filed by former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng; veteran politician Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe; and former Minister for Lands and Forestry, Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah.
The plaintiffs argued that the delegate system created inequality among party members by granting voting rights to a privileged minority while excluding ordinary members in good standing.
They told the Court that restricting voting rights to delegates was inconsistent with the democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
The Attorney-General’s Department supported the suit and urged the Court to adopt a “one member, one vote” approach.
In its submission, the State argued that political parties perform an important public function in Ghana’s democratic framework and that their internal electoral processes must reflect constitutional values of equality, participation and universal suffrage.
The Attorney-General further submitted that expanding voting rights to all registered members would strengthen accountability and deepen internal democracy within political parties.
The judgment means that going forward, presidential and parliamentary candidates will be selected by all registered members of a political party, instead of by delegates alone.
Political parties are expected to review their constitutions and structures to comply with the Court’s directive ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
