Hot!
Focus on your goals, not your fear. Focus like a laser beam on your goals. ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Managing the senior national football team (Black Stars), is perhaps, one of the most hard-to-please undertakings one can ever imagine.
It is certainly not a job for the weakling. You have got to develop a thick skin (apologies to ex-Ghana FA boss Nana Sam Brew-Butler) to be able to survive the inexorable pressure that comes with the job.
Last week, head coach of the Black Stars, Charles Kwabla Akonnor held a news conference to announce a squad for a couple of friendlies where he virtually ‘badgered’ on the media to tone down on the attacks or stave off criticizing the team negatively.
“I’m pleading with you to stop the negativity. The negativity around this team is too much,” Akonnor lamented.
During my playing days, we used to receive a lot of encouragement from the fans and journalists. These days, things have changed. We need the support, so please tone down on the negativity.”
Indeed, the Stars have over the last few years come under an avalanche of criticism as regards their performance – Ghanaian fans not really enthused by the team’s failure to annex any trophy in close to four decades.
Much as one sympathises with the Stars’ coach, advice to him is to remain focused and rather keep his eyes on the ball. He must keep his eyes peeled and invite players who are in fine fettle and ready to serve the country.
As for criticisms, they would come in droves. They will come in all shapes and sizes. Some will be positive and negative; others downright ruthless. You cannot stop them. Even when you appeal to the sensibilities of the fans, some would still be at your neck – all-too ready to tear you apart at the slightest faux pas.
The good thing is that when the team starts churning out the desired results, the praises and laudations would flow in torrents. That is how football is; that is the nature and spirit of the game.
Akonnor should be guided by the above-mentionedpersuasion, work his socks off, pluck the results and he would surely get the fans behind him.
Last time the Stars clinched the Nations Cup Holy Grail was in 1982 – some 39 years ago when most of today’s youth were either not born or were too young to know what was happening.
It is the reason some of the youth easily get nettled even when the name of the Stars is mentioned. This is no joke. It is something serious we must not joke with. For many of them, they think the Stars have been over-pampered over the years with nothing to show in continental glory. That for them is a huge bother.
So, Akonnor must bear in mind that the criticism will continue to flow – some in horrifying taste; and he better psyche himself for the challenges ahead. What he desperately needs now is focus, focus and focus!
A philosopher once said, to conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles. Over to you, C.K Akonnor!
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
