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Can Stars win gold in Cameroon? …as AFCON roars off tomorrow
Nine past winners are among 24 countries fully loaded for the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, slated for Cameroon tomorrow.
The celebrated nine are: Egypt (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), Cameroon (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017), Ghana (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982), Algeria (1990, 2019), Cote d’Ivoire (1992, 2015), Nigeria (1980, 1994, 2013), Tunisia (2004), Sudan (1970) and Ethiopia (1962).
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in June and July 2021, but CAF announced on January 15 2020, that due to hostile climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would take place from January 9 to February 6 2021.
However, on June 30 2020, CAF again moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022, following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.
Algeria are the defending champions, having won the 2019 edition.
It is expected that the finest of continental football will decant from the tantalizing feet of the hundreds of players that would converge in the five cities (Douala, Yaounde, Garoua, Bafoussam and Limbe) of Cameroon.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the four highest ranked third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16. The round of 16 winners will advance to the quarter-finals and the quarter-final winners will advance to the semi-finals. The semi-final losers will play in a third place match, while the semi-final winners will contest the final.
For most Ghanaians, the concern is not too much about gorgeous football. It is about putting up a brave pitch performance and breaking the nation’s trophy jinx for the first time since 1982. It is now four decades – 40 incredible years, since the Black Stars lifted the Holy Grail, and the time to exorcise the ghost of failure is now or never.
Leading the Stars in that taxing adventure is Andre Dede Ayew, who, inspired by the sound technical direction of returnee Serbian coach, Milovan Rajevac, is expected to land Ghana that fifth elusive gold – hopefully.
This is why Ghanaians would be watching with bated breath as the buoyant Stars take to the field against Morocco’s Atlas Lions in their Group C opening game on Monday, December 10, at the 42,500-capacity Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé
BY SPECTATOR SPORTS REPORTER:
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
