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Easy on Otto Addo: Let’s give him benefit of the doubt
Otto Addo
Many Ghanaians cart-wheeled for joy when Germany-trained Ghanaian, Otto Addo, was appointed as Black Stars coach to take over from the sacked Serbian – Milovan Rajevac in February, this year.
Addo, was an assistant coach during the brief reign of Rajevac.
With zilch experience of managing a national side, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) knew all-too well it was a monolithic gamble it was taking when it offered the 46-year-old the job. A few faint hearts disapproved of the engagement, arguing that the former Ghana international, who featured in the nation’s maiden World Cup campaign in Germany 2006, may not wield the experience and temerity to pull the chestnut out of the blazing fire.
However, the fountain of negativity did not stop the FA from handing the ex-Black Stars midfielder the task of taking on Nigeria’s Super Eagles in that blistering Qatar World Cup double-header play-off.
To cut a long story short, the Stars prevailed. Otto Addo nailed it! Ghana exploded into endless joy on March 29, this year.
Sadly, the Ghana trainer who pulled the trick under his sleeve to shove away Nigeria’s Super Eagles, is no more a hero. Believe it or not, he is being seen as a villain by the same Ghanaians who hailed the tactics he employed to navigate the nation’s path to its fourth Mundial.
The spontaneous eruption of condemnation is coming on the heels of Ghana’s humbling 3-0 defeat to Brazil – and a lame 1-0 win against low-rated Nicaragua during last month’s international break.
Ghanaians took the coach to the cleaners, repudiating him for his tactics against the Brazilians that resulted in the thrashing, whilst lashing at him for the very late substitutions against Nicaragua.
“This is not what we bargained for; and I don’t think Coach Otto Addo has what it takes to guide us to Qatar and excel,” was a piercing voice on a radio call-in programme, 24 hours after the second game.
In place of him, a decent number of the callers suggested the team’s Technical Advisor – and former Newcastle United and Brighton manager – Chris Hughton, took over from Addo.
Others also opined that it may not be the best time to change the technical direction of the Black Stars, insisting it could have damning, calamitous consequences.
Truth is, we must be careful with whatever we do to the team as the Qatar 2022 tournament is just barely a month away. Any major changes now could be earth-shattering.
Having said that, it is equally imperative for Coach Addo to pick some vital lessons from the two games as he prepares for the tournament.
Indeed, Ghanaians would be expected to watch the Stars’ final friendly against Switzerland next month with lots of interest.
The game should give fans something to be enthused about, instead of compelling them to throw up their hands in despair.
For now, let us continue to support Otto Addo, give him the benefit of the doubt; and spare a moment of prayer, too, for him.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
