News
Can Kotoko return to winning ways?
Saaka Dauda – Kotoko
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will aim to return to winning ways when they clash with Bechem United tomorrow in a week 10 Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park.
But that would be a challenge soccer fans would be interested in following the two-game winless streak of the Porcupine Warriors.
Kotoko appeared to have enjoyed a roller-coaster run until they were pegged back by Basake Holy Stars who pulled a late equalisaer at Wenchi and Kpando Heart of Lions who stunned the Reds at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.
Travelling to face and beat Bechem United in their backyard presents another tough task for Asante Kotoko considering the might of the home team.
Although they have not inspired hope this season, Bechem have been formidable at home and would confront this game like a final.
That would surely make it a tough assignment for the Porcupine Warriors whose coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, attributed their recent poor form to fatigue. What this means is that they must find some freshness around the team, lest they concede a second consecutive defeat.
At the Nana Abrefa Nketiah VII Park, Young Apostles will be the next on the line to attempt to halt the unbeaten run of Bibiani Gold Stars.
Gold Stars have enjoyed a great run so far and have consolidated the top spot in the face of threats from Kotoko and Medeama. But with the two main challengers crumbling in their last games, Gold Stars took the opportunity to stretch the lead.
But that test will face them again as they travel to face the Young Apostles who have also given a good account of themselves so far and would hope to continue as they aim to safeguard their stay in the competition.
Nations FC will be expected to be at their very best at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex when they welcome Nsoatreman FC.
However, Nsoatreman offer a different opposition, having given a strong indication to qualify to Africa club competition again.
That is showing in their form although they have not been successful in some of the games. Though on enemy soil, they have what it takes to split the points with Nations FC.
Basake Holy Stars and Accra Lions also promises fireworks at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park but Samartex FC are clear favourites to worsen the plight of Legon Cities when they clash at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena tomorrow.
After their biggest conquest of the season so far against Kotoko, Heart of Lions will return to their Kpando base to face Berekum Chelsea while Aduana Stars prepare to face Karela United.
Today at the Tuba Astro Turf, Dreams FC will lock horns with Medeama SC.
The game between Hearts of Oak and Vision FC was honoured yesterday at the UG Stadium.
By Spectator Sports Reporter
News
Criminal and Seditious Libel Law was repealed in 2001 yet we still face harassment – NPP
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the government for what it calls a return to the “culture of silence” in Ghana, despite the repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law more than two decades ago.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the party said the arrest and detention of its Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye, for allegedly insulting the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was the latest sign of political intimidation.
According to the NPP, eight months into President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, state security had been “weaponised” not to fight illegal mining or protect citizens, but to intimidate and punish dissenting voices.
The party said insecurity in areas such as Bawku, Nkwanta and Gbeniyiri in the Savannah Region had claimed more than 32 lives and displaced over 50,000 people, yet the police and national security were more focused on arresting opposition supporters and social media users for their posts.
The NPP noted that Ghana abolished the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001 under President John Agyekum Kufuor to protect free speech and media freedoms.
It described the recent arrests of opposition members as an erosion of those democratic gains.
The party said it did not condone insults or vulgar language in public discourse but stressed that anyone who felt defamed should seek redress through civil defamation suits, not criminal prosecution.
It also accused the government of undermining the judiciary by “weaponising” it against political opponents, citing the removal of the Chief Justice.
“The growing climate of intimidation and criminalisation of speech is a serious assault on Ghana’s democracy,” the statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong said.
The NPP called on all Ghanaians to resist what it described as a return to tyranny and pledged to roll out a series of actions to protect the country’s democratic gains.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NIA opens Premium Centres to register children
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has started registering Ghanaian children aged between six and 14 years at all its Premium Centres across the country.
The Authority says the exercise is part of its duty to register every Ghanaian, both at home and abroad, so that all citizens can have a secure and verifiable national identity.
It explained in a statement issued today that the registration will help build a complete and inclusive National Identity Register (NIR) that captures every Ghanaian from childhood.
According to the NIA, the fee for first-time registration at Premium Centres is GHS 310, which is the approved charge for premium services.
The Authority said the requirements are the same as for applicants aged 15 years and above.
It affirmed that Parents or legal guardians were required to present either a valid Ghanaian passport of the child, the original copy of the child’s birth certificate, or be a Ghana Card holder who can vouch for the child.
The NIA also announced that from Monday, September 15, 2025, its online registration and booking system will be extended to the remaining 11 Premium Centres nationwide.
This it said will allow parents and guardians to schedule appointments more conveniently and avoid delays at the centres.
It further stated that information on the issuance of Ghana Cards for children aged six to 14 years who had already registered will be shared later.
In the coming weeks, the Authority plans to extend this registration service to all NIA District Offices to make it easier for more people to access the service.
By: Jacob Aggrey
