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In the hot seat with Minister Adams

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Mr Kofi Adams

Coming events are said to cast their shadows before them.

This age-long axiom is a suggestion of some initial effects indicating the nature of an event to be felt before it happens.

Some of these shadows can be pictured looking at the posture of the Minister of Sports and Recreation (MoRS), Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, less than a month in office.

Although he appear new to the system, his ideas or ways he intend to tackle issues in the sector could be one that could make or unmake him.

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One major observation is his doggedness to strengthen the National Sports Authority (NSA), the supposed biggest agency under the Ministry but appears often overshadowed when it comes to football.

Ahead of a much sought after engagement with the leadership of the FA, Minister Adams has hinted of a directive to process all national teams’ events through the NSA.

That would obviously mark a shift from the previous arrangement where the FA was granted direct access to the Ministry and the NSA is only involved regarding the preparation of grounds for matches.

As the technical wing of the Sports Ministry, one cannot fault Minister Adams and as he explained in an interview in the course of the week, “it is the law at work, I am not saying that.”

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What this mean is that the NSA would be handed responsibilities way beyond those that they have performed over the years. This will surely bring to the fore their actual technical capabilities.

The announcement of the cancelation of first class travel arrangement for the various national teams, especially the Black Stars would be another move which implementation would be closely monitored.

Again, if I heard right, Minister Adams also called for a review of the selection of centres to host Ghana Premier League (GPL) matches in a bid to curb hooliganism in the game.

In his view, if only eight centres met the criteria, then matches should be played only on those venues and clubs be compelled to choose some of these venues as home grounds.

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That is another tough measure which implementation could be problematic because at the lower divisions, there are also cases of hooliganism but centres are few.

Minister Adams is also concerned about having value for money in the provision of infrastructure for sports events.

That will lead to an initiative where MoSR will issue licenses’ to those contracted to provide such services.

Considering the number of astro turf pitches across the country with a chunk of them not meeting the required standard to host GPL matches, Minister Adams call falls in the right place.

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Some of these astro turfs constructed with the tax payers’ money are just pleasing to the eye but cannot serve the purpose for its construction.

In issuing those licenses, turfs at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram, at the defunct Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord and the WAFA pitch at Sogakope should be the yardstick.

Other issues on initiatives to get the corporate sector involved in sports, ridding it of corruption, running it like business, introducing some of the defunct events that served as hunting grounds for talents for the various sports discipline are welcoming.

All of these suggest that there are interesting times ahead in the sports sector which Minister Adams must be firm and fair in implementing them.

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For the true lovers of sports development and promotion and not their selfish interest, they must remember Minister Adams in prayers or whichever religion they practice for wisdom and guidance.

As a Christian himself, Minister Adams should continually pray from Psalm 91:5-8 which reads “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.”

On that note, I welcome Minister Adams to the hot seat as Sports and Recreation Minister.

By Andrew Nortey

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I don’t take NPP for granted— Afenyo Markin insists

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Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, says he has discharged his duties with the dignity and responsibility demanded by the office, stressing that he does not take the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for granted.

He made the remarks during a media briefing, where he also dismissed claims that there are compromising videos or audio recordings of him that could embarrass him, his family or the party.

Mr Afenyo Markin acknowledged that he is not perfect but insisted that he would not act recklessly, particularly given the responsibility attached to his position as Minority Leader.

“I have discharged my duty as a Minority Leader with all the dignity that must go with the office. I’m not a perfect guy, but I won’t be reckless,” he stated.

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He said he was conscious of the history of the position he occupies, noting that it had previously been held by senior members of the NPP, including J.B. Danquah, J.H. Mensah and Busia, Dumbo.

According to him, the party’s elders did not entrust him with the leadership of the parliamentary caucus without considering the responsibility involved.

“I don’t take NPP for granted. It’s a tradition I respect. The elders of this party, they don’t just get up to say, ‘Our son, lead the caucus.’ From day one, they entrusted me with this position,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo Markin said he has always recognised the weight of the party’s history and the need to conduct himself in a manner that protects the image of the NPP.

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He rejected claims that individuals have videos or audio recordings of him engaging in activities that could be used to embarrass him.

“Nobody has any video of me doing anything. Nobody has any audio of me doing anything to embarrass myself, my family and the party,” he insisted.

He described the claims as part of the challenges politicians face in the era of social media, where allegations and rumours can spread quickly.

Mr Afenyo Markin maintained that despite such claims, he would continue to carry out his responsibilities with caution and respect for the office he occupies.

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By: Jacob Aggrey

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GoldBod concerns are about implementation, not individuals- Afenyo-Markin

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Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has denied that his concerns over the GoldBod and the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme are aimed at any particular individual.

He explained that his criticism has always been directed at the institution and the way the programme is being implemented, rather than at any person.

“I have never, on any occasion, mentioned anyone’s name. I have always been talking about the GoldBod institution,” Mr Afenyo Markin stated.

He made these remarks today during a press briefing August 31, 2026,Speaking to when cultural troupes from Winneba visited his residence in Accra

the Minority’s position is that although the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme is a good initiative, its implementation has created challenges that need to be examined.

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He described the programme as an initiative introduced under former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to use Ghana’s gold resources to help stabilise the economy.

Mr Afenyo Markin maintained that the Minority supports the idea but is concerned about what he described as losses arising from its implementation.

He referenced concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding losses associated with the programme, arguing that such issues should be properly investigated.

He therefore rejected suggestions that the matter had become a personal attack.

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“We need to elevate the conversation so that it doesn’t become a personality contest,” he added.

Responding to arguments that the reported losses could instead be exchange rate losses on the Bank of Ghana’s own accounts and that the central bank was following international best practices, Mr Afenyo Markin called for patience.

He indicated that the planned parliamentary probe would provide an opportunity for all sides to present their positions and establish the facts.

“When October comes and we start the discussion, wherever the truth is, we will all get to know,” he stated.

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By: Jacob Aggrey

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