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Don’t force  them to play!

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Callum-Hudson Odoi in a Ghana shirt

Qualification games to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar roared off barely two years ago – with many wondering whether Ghana could snatch one of the continent’s five tickets to its fourth Mundial. 

The nation carved a historic World Cup debut in Germany (2006) – continuing the romance in South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014), but failed to navigate their path to Russia (2018). 

Mohammed Salisu

The Russia embarrassing fiasco jogged on the ‘nagging heels’ of disgraceful events of the Brazil World Cup that saw a heart-rending player rebellion – totally consumed by love for cash, robbing the team of a potentially eye-catching campaign. A calamitous first round exit was the upshot!

Indeed, Ghanaians were not the least surprised at all about the Russia qualification disaster; it was all-too predictable – albeit the players gave it a thoroughly decent fight.

But that is history now. No one wants to remember it. 

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What many Ghanaians are probably still celebrating now is the Black Stars triumphant entry into Qatar – upstaging no less an opposition than Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The sweetness in that momentous victory was that the Stars snatched qualification from the wild jaws of Abuja  – (away goal rule) – not in Kumasi where the playoff game ended barren.

Victory did not only ensure passage to a fourth World Cup but raised strong concerns about building a formidably winsome Black Stars squad capable of making remarkable impression in the minds of fans.

Though many agree that at least the nucleus of the new-look squad that edged the Super Eagles must be in Qatar, it is the general view that the team must be augmented for the fierce challenges ahead.

However, there seems to be some alarm bells of anxiety and desperation as there have been calls for players like striker Inaki Williams (Atletico Bilbao), Chelsea midfielder Hudson Odoi and Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu among others, to join the squad.

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Sadly, some of the players being bandied around are clearly not desirous about donning the national colours now – and one wonders why we are still at their heels.

As a matter of principle, we must make it a point not to compel anybody to play for the national team – no matter how big and grandeur the player is.

In any case, to qualify to feature for the Black Stars, a player must demonstrate a patriotic zeal; must have a huge desire to don the red-gold-green-and-star shirt. It is such a huge shirt, and nobody must be pampered to wear it.

Ahead of the nervy qualifier against Nigeria, some of the players indicated their availability only when Ghana qualifies. Such players must not have a space in the team.

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From experience, once so-called marquee players are forced or kowtowed to play, they tend to hold their own country to ransom. No way!

It is always better to go into a competition with 11 average dedicated and whole-heartedly committed players on the field than carry a bus-full load of embarrassingly rich array of stars!

Mind you, you cannot buy commitment. You cannot buy valour. You cannot buy dedication. But you can buy big stars with money!

PlainTalk with John Vigah 

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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