Sports
GFA President, Black Stars coach express solidarity with flood victims
Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and Black Stars head coach, Carlos Queiroz, have expressed sympathy and support for victims of recent flooding in parts of the country.
In a statement, Mr Simeon-Okraku said it was “deeply saddening” that many Ghanaians were enduring loss, displacement and uncertainty following the floods, even as the country remained buoyed by the Black Stars’ qualification to the second round of the 2026 World Cup. 
“On behalf of the Ghana Football Association and the entire football fraternity, I wish to assure all those affected that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult period,” he said.
The GFA President commended the efforts of the government, emergency services, volunteers and relief agencies working to assist affected communities, and called for strength, resilience and unity as the country recovers from the disaster.
His message was echoed by Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz,, who said the team was standing with flood victims while preparing for Ghana’s Round of 32 match against Colombia on July 4, 2026.
“On behalf of myself, my technical team, and the entire Black Stars squad here in the United States, I want to express our deepest solidarity with the victims of the floods in Accra,” Queiroz said in a message.
The coach extended condolences to families who had lost loved ones and support to those displaced by the flooding.
“The images and reports from home are heartbreaking, and even though we are here preparing for our World Cup match against Colombia, our thoughts have not left Ghana. We carry the people of Accra in our hearts,” he said.
The floods, which followed heavy rains in parts of the country, have affected several communities, leaving residents grappling with damage to homes and livelihoods.
The Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club on Sunday, July 5, 2026, inspected the club’s technical centre at Kpobiman as preparations for the new season gather pace.
The visit was to assess the facility, identify urgent areas needing attention before players return for pre-season, and review progress on the club’s restructured academy system.
When fully operational, the Hearts Africa Football Academy will be the permanent home for Hearts of Oak’s youth teams, Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15.
The new integrated model is designed to create a clear pathway for player development and will make Hearts one of the first Ghana Premier League clubs with a full residential academy.
Beyond football, Kpobiman will also serve as the club’s new administrative headquarters.
The current office at the Commercial Centre will relocate as part of the plan to have all football operations in one place.
Speaking during the inspection, Board Chairman and Majority Shareholder Togbe Afede XIV described the academy as a landmark investment. He was impressed with the progress but stressed the need for proper maintenance.
He tasked Managing Director Julius Ben Emunah and management to maintain a strong maintenance culture.
Togbe Afede XIV also assured that remaining work, including an on-site hotel, event centre, finishing of courts, mini stadium, dressing rooms, and other infrastructure will be completed.
He said Kpobiman will become one of Ghana’s finest football development centres.
Board members present included Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Akwesi Agyeman, Vincent Sowah Odotei, Samuel Inkoom, Alhaji Hussein Sulemana, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Julius Ben Emunah.
The Board expressed confidence that completing the project and the new academy structure will build a strong foundation for sustainable player development.
The Kpobiman facility features world-class amenities including a 108-bed dormitory, staff bungalows, gym, swimming pool, golf course, tennis and padel courts, basketball court, mini stadium, two natural grass pitches, and a floodlit artificial turf.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has urged the Black Stars to learn from their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and stay focused on upcoming assignments after Ghana’s defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Addressing the team after the game at Kansas City Stadium, Hon. Adams praised the squad’s performance despite the exit.
“We have what it takes to partake in every World Cup and get out of the group stages and even go further,” he said.
The minister added that “So, we didn’t make it. Our wish was that we would have carried the day. But we played so well and I believe we don’t regret we went in. Everybody is congratulating us that we have a good team. It means you exhibited something good on the pitch.”
The Sports Minister called on the players to treat mistakes made in the tournament as lessons for the future.
“What we need is, the very few mistakes that we made becomes a learning platform for all of us. You become a better player of yourself in the various roles that you play in the team. It should not dampen you,” he said.
Mr. Adams echoed Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team-first philosophy and reminded the players that national duty continues with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ahead.
He added, “Like the coach said, he has a team and not individual skilful players. So, we came as a team, we played as a team, we are returning as a team. And to continue our individual careers also. So, it is not the end of international competitions. We are going to be calling on you, and you would have to be responding to these calls for the various qualifiers that are ahead of us.”
He also had a message for the players regarding public reaction to the team’s exit.
“The country is grateful for what we have done. Let’s learn lessons out of whatever situation that arose and brought us to this point. I know as we leave here, those of you who love to go on social media, you will see all manner of postings and all manner of analysis and all manner of criticisms,” he said.
“Please and please, you are professional ballers. Let no such comment dampen anyone. If for anything, it should motivate you to do more. Those who are watching, they will do their own analysis. Don’t let it dampen any one of you. It should motivate you to be a better person of yourselves,” he advised.
“You came as a team, you have played as a team, you have done what we can do and we have reached this point. We are grateful for the service you rendered the country and the country is grateful.” The Minister added.
