Ghana is shining light to the world – Montrealhene
Chief of the Ghanaian community in Montreal, Canada, Osadeoyo Kwateng Amanin, has described Ghana as shining light of Africa and the world at large, pointing to the ‘largely successful’ nature of the December 2020 elections.
He said that,negative stories were bandied all over ahead of the elections – suggesting that the country was going to plunge into war after the polls – if one party felt disgruntled with the results.
“Much as I was alarmed by such disturbing comments, I knew nothing was going to happen, given that Ghana was a peaceful country and that if anything at all, discontented parties would rather want to seek redress in court.
“Thankfully, that was what has happened and I can only urge Ghanaians – especially the youth, to continue living peacefully as they build the country,” says Osadeoyo Amanin, who doubles as the Abusuapanyin of Sunyani Krontire Abusua, back in Ghana.
He stated that the elections had limpidly demonstrated how Ghanaians, particularly the youth, could not be taken for granted any longer, citing the outcome of the parliamentary election as a strong pointer.
Nana Kwateng Amanin, however, bemoaned the loss of lives at the elections and said everything possible must be put in place to ensure that, “the country does not experience such unfortunate situation again.”
He urged the two main political parties in the country (NPP and NDC) to take lessons from the elections and move forward.
It is recalled that Nana Amanin appealed to the Ghanaian youth to vote peacefully during the December 7,2020, general elections, urging them not to allow themselves to be used by people who only sought their selfish interests.
In 2014, the Montrealhene (Nana Kwateng Amanin) with the support and encouragement from the late Nana Anane Peprah and some active members in the Ghanaian Community in Montreal, formed the Traditional Council of Montreal, operating in the province of Quebec.
Montreal is the most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec and the second-most populous city in Canada.
The idea of unifying the Ghanaian Community with the practice of chieftaincy, cultural and traditional practices, dates back to 1987 when the Omanhene Osadeoyo Kwateng Amanin set foot in Montreal, Quebec.
He was unanimously acclaimed by friends and citizens of Montreal as their chief with the chieftaincy title “Montrealhene.”
The Sunyani Krontire Abusuapanyin said he felt very proud to lead Ghanaians in Montreal and would continue doing everything in his capacity to help them “achieve their genuine goals.”
On September 7, 2019, he swore the oath of allegiance in public to the Ghanaian Community in Montreal, Quebec, with representatives from the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office in full attendance together with other dignitaries from the Kanawake First Nations and City Councilors in Montreal.
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Osadeoyo Kwateng Amanin
In a world where fathers are increasingly consumed by work and the pursuit of financial security, Bishop Michael Quartey, the Regional Overseer of the Perez Chapel International, has urged fathers to prioritise spending quality time with their children.
This, he said makes them develop trust, love and sense of security in building confident responsible adults.
Bishop Michael Quartey made this known in an interview with The Spectator ahead of the Father’s Day celebration tomorrow.
He noted that while many fathers are providing the financial needs of their families, children also require emotional support, guidance and quality time from their fathers.
“A lot of children are engaged in a lot of negative things just because of the absence of their fathers and it is about time we sit up.”
Bishop Quartey explained that fatherhood goes beyond meeting financial obligations and involves being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children.
“Fathers serve as role models whose actions and decisions often influence the values and attitudes of their children” he disclosed.
He also elaborated that regular communication, participation in school activities and involvement in children’s daily life could significantly strengthen family bonds and contribute to the overall well –being of the children.
He added that though the modern day fathers are doing so well, we need to continue to change the narrative by putting in extra effort in the upbringing of our children.
“Being a father is a great joy and it is very necessary for fathers to be celebrated because they go through a lot,” he indicated.
Mr Quartey used the opportunity to encourage all fathers to continue doing their best and pray for their children as well.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The Black Stars got Ghanaians rocking all night on Wednesday after overcoming a doggedly determined Panama side in their Group L clash of the ongoing FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Ghana versus Panama followed the group opener that saw England maul Croatia 4-2 in another entertaining game.
The group opener was more enjoyable as goals flowed like the rains; but Ghana against Panama was something else.
The first half came in two halves as Panama created a lot of tensed moments for the Black Stars who appeared quite sluggish and slow in their build-ups.
Perhaps, they were overawed by the pace and physicality of the Central American side who showed courage, athleticism and some finesse in their control of the game.
Within that period, goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was Ghana’s brightest performer, pulling some breathtaking saves to deny Panama an early lead.
At this time, the atmosphere became quite placid and anxious with some faithful on their knees, praying for a divine attention.
But when the Black Stars warmed themselves into the game, they showed glimpses of the attributes that made them one of the formidable sides in global football.
They didn’t just control the game; they passed well, they showed they also had pacey men upfront, and most importantly, defended well.
Despite the struggle to create clearer opportunities, they went close with the few that came their way until the referee’s whistle went for half time.
In the second half, the reason why the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars coach was celebrated by followers of the game was manifested with his effective substitutions that changed the course of the game.
Benjamin Asare replaced Ati-Zigi and all of a sudden, the Ghana defence suddenly had moments to breathe.
Then came Fatawu Ishahaku who replaced another speedster Kamaldeen Sulemana. He swapped position with Antoine Semenyo who moved to his favourite left side that allows him to perform his cut-ins to deliver his incisive thunderbolts.
At this moment, the right and left full backs of Panama knew no peace. They asked for trouble and Queiroz gave them.
For Brandon Asante, Queiroz would need no prophet to forewarn that he must be a starter against England, a side that requires Ghana to make great use of even the half chances and set pieces because they are blessed with superior talents across the various positions and can harm easily.
As it became a ding dong battle with Panama showing signs of fatigue, one commentator remarked; “At this stage of the game Ghana looks more likely to score.”
That sounded like a folktale to the faint-hearted whose joy had been just the wearing the national jersey and identifying as a patriotic Ghanaian.
In the dying embers of the game, the goal came. Caleb Yirenkyi brutally finished off a brilliant team goal that involved Brandon Asante and Antoine Semenyo in the build-up.
That erupted the vuvuzela sounds, supported by firecrackers; truncating the sleep of both young and old, and those that have jokingly expressed fears about watching the Black Stars since Asamoah Gyan’s ill-fated penalty miss against Uruguay in the 2010 edition in South Africa.
The victory is no indicator that the team is suddenly up there or has ‘arrived’ as is touted in the local parlance.
Admittedly, there is a lot of work to be done and the focus now would certainly be on some of the flaws identified in the first game.
But more importantly, the celebration witnessed across several viewing centres and homes; the joy seen among friends, family and ordinary fans sends one message that Ghanaians still love their national team.
Passing through town some hours after the game, a lot of people were seen shopping for all manner of paraphernalia, obviously to be counted among the real faithful.
And while the fans celebrate, one question resonates across-who is Caleb Yirenkyi?
Such questions may be genuine because he is among a host of the players that are not so familiar to Ghanaian fans because they did not feature for our local clubs in the Ghana League.
For this purpose, this column offers a piece of information about him.
Caleb Marfo Yirenkyi is a midfielder that plays for Danish Superliga club, Nordsjælland.
He was born in Bechem, Ahafo Region, and a product of the Right to Dream Academy, which he joined in 2017 at the age of 11.
Yirenkyi received his first call-up to the Ghana senior national team for the 2025 Unity Cup.
Gradually, he has become an unsung hero in the team having scored just two vital goals for the Black Stars – one against Wales in the last international friendly and the second against Panama.
That said, the Black Stars’ victory seem to have rekindled the faith and belief in the team and Ghana football entirely. This feeling must be sustained when they face England in what could become a defining moment in the campaign.
By Andrew Nortey
