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Ghana football at crossroads!

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• Annor Walker – Head coach, Black Galaxies

• Annor Walker – Head coach, Black Galaxies

Shocks are no longer strange to Ghana foot­ball. They are now com­monplace!

The other day, it was the senior national team – Black Stars, being bowled out of the 2022 Africa Cup of Na­tions tournament in Camer­oon, after losing 3-2 to Island side Comoros, at the group stage.

That stunning loss culmi­nated in a calamitous first round exit from a tournament the Stars had not won since 1982 – an unthinkable 41-year logjam.

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The ongoing Championship of African Nations (CHAN), has yet another fabulous story to relate following the quarter-final elimination of Ghana’s locally-assembled na­tional team – Black Galaxies.

Playing some lifeless piece of football, the Galaxies crashed out after suffering an ego-battering 2-0 loss to lowly-placed Niger – having earlier slumped 2-1 to Mada­gascar in the group stage that had only three teams.

Defending champions Morocco pulled out of the tournament at the 11th hour, citing logistical reasons after the team was denied per­mission to fly directly from Morocco to Algeria using their national airline – Royal Air Maroc.

Algeria one-sidedly rup­tured relations with neigh­bours Morocco in August 2021, for various geopolitical reasons, and have since also prohibited Moroccan aircraft from flying in Algerian air­space.

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Paired in Group C along­side Ghana, Sudan and Mad­agascar, Morocco’s absence left the three teams battling for honours.

After losing to Madagascar, the Galaxies raised their stan­dard against the Sudan and got the result (3-1) that sent the Ghanaians to the quar­ters only to crash out rather disquietingly to Niger.

The Niger game was diffi­cult to watch as the Ghana­ians were comprehensively outclassed in all aspects of the evening, leaving many wondering where Ghana’s football is really drifting to.

As said here a couple of weeks ago, Ghana football has sunk so low or speedily plummeting at a neck-break pace, and we shall be re­duced to nothingness if we do not wake up now to fix the miserable plunge.

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Dishonesty in player selection, player quality and player commitment are just a few justifications why our football is struggling. This same reason applies to the plunge experienced at the se­nior level. Whatever reasons, there are to it, fact remains that Ghana football is in the doldrums.

President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah, minced no words when he al­luded to that assertion during last weekend’s 47th Awards Night of the association, call­ing for a profound reflection on the nation’s deteriorating fortunes in football in recent years.

The SWAG capo howled at the miserable performances of Ghanaian football clubs and national teams in compe­titions – scolding the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over its major failure.

“We have to do a sober introspection into our lives as a football nation. We need to work smart and invest meaningfully in our sport to halt the rot. Isn’t it sad that in our last four World Cup appearances, we cannot boast of any legacy project from the FIFA money much of which was shared among players and officials?

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“We certainly have to take a second look at the prac­tice, for instance, of paying as much as $100,000 to some management members as appearance fee,” he said.

Mr Yeboah could not have put it better, and it is high time we woke up as a nation to put a long-lasting cessa­tion to this malady.

It is also very imperative we realised that we are no longer one of the Gullivers of the African game. We are be­coming the whipping boys at tournaments we are expect­ed to glow. It is pretty sad!

By John Vigah

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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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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.

The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.

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It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.

“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.

The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.

The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.

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The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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