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Coach Adotey positive about Medeama SC’s chances against Remo Stars
Coach Evans Adotey – Upbeat
The Head Coach of Medeama Sporting Club, Evans Adotey has attributed the team’s unimpres¬sive performance in the first leg 1-0 win over Nigerian opponents, Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League to the lack of competitive friendly matches in their preparations.
A Jonathan Sowah strike hand¬ed the ‘Yellow and Mauves’ of Tark¬wa a lone goal victory to see the Nigerians off at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
That leaves Medeama with a slender advantage going into the second leg in Ogun State in Nigeria.
Speaking to the media after the game, Coach Adotey indicated that with the season yet to start, the team lacked the tough games that would bring the best out of his players but was confident the team will sail through to the next stage of the competition.
According to him, the second leg encoun¬ter tomorrow would be tougher than the previous leg with the fate of the teams half¬way defined with the result.
“We have a lone goal advantage secured at home but we all know that lead is nothing when you face your opponents on their home turf. They can easily make it even if they score a goal with no response from us.
“And unlike the first leg where they appeared quite cautious in their approach, the dynamics will likely change this time, knowing they have a deficit to cancel. We’ll also have to adjust our game plan to be in a posi¬tion to counter whatever they throw at us,” Coach Adotey said.
The Nigerians exited the competi¬tion at the same stage last season and have vowed to go past that stage this season.
Consequently, they have set an audacious target to stop the Ghana¬ians in their tracks with a victory in the second leg.
But Coach Adotey remains optimis¬tic about his team’s chances in the face of the Remo Stars pledge.
“Our chances to qualify for the next phase of the competition re¬main intact with the narrow victory. We’re confident about achieving a second-leg victory in Nigeria. We’re mindful of the fact that the match will be played on an astro turf. That prompted us to train on similar turf at Prampam before departing for Nigeria on Saturday (today),” Coach Adotey highlighted.
* The Writer is a Student of The University of Media Arts and Commu¬nication-GIJ
By Rachel Amenorpey
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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.
