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Good to have the team back!

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Otto Addo

News that the Technical Team which superbly navigated Ghana’s path to the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament, will still be in charge of the forthcoming Mundial, is worth celebrating.

It is one that disciples of Ghana football will hail for many days to come.

Spearheaded by Otto Addo and a formidable backroom staff made up of George Boateng, Mas-udDidiDramani, the team masterminded Black Stars’ triumph over their age-long rivals – Nigeria’s Super Eagles, via the away goal rule.

The game’s crucial first leg play-off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi had ended in a heart-pumping goalless stalemate – an upshot that sent tongues wagging in  blissful discord.

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Indeed, many had thrown hands up in dispair, predicting doom for the Stars in the return encounter in the capital Abuja, especially when the game was going to be held at a stadium that takes more than 80,000 fans, double the size of the Baba Yara Stadium.

The stadium was filled to the brim. It was already known it was going to be so.  Not surprising at all.

To cut a known long story short, tactical shrewdness from Ghana’s Technical Team blew off Nigeria’s overzealous, embarrassingly rich armada.

Though they dominated exchanges, it had to take Nigeria a contentious spot-kick to efface Thomas Partey’s 12th minute strike, finishing the gut-wrenching evening 1-1.

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Nigeria mourned! The fans gnashed their teeth in rage. And, the players wept uncontrollably back in their dressing room.

A different story lit up the nation as many cartwheeled in celebration at the final signal from the Tunisian referee. Ghanaians, especially, the ‘Doubting Thomases’ remained shocked. 

But one thing that everybody did was to praise the tactical depth of the Otto Addo-led team, believing they have something spectacular up their sleeve to turn the fortunes of the Black Stars around in the November 2022 World Cup.

And, suddenly, everyone is calling for the Technical Team to be retained.

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You remember how they (technical team) doggedly refused to ‘unmask’ their squad ahead of the cracker in Kumasi? Those who criticised that unpopular decision would later gild their lily. 

The good thing is that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has elicited a positive response from Bundesliga side Dortmund, employers of Otto Addo – the Germany team agreeing to release their Scout and Assistant Coach for the World Cup and other engagements.

Otto Addo, it was agreed, would be on the touchline when the Black Stars host Madagascar in a 2023 Nations Cup qualifier in June (next month) at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

The GFA is also in talks with the other backroom staff and their employers to get them aboard – and from all indications, the coast is almost clear for an encore.

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What the Technical Team and the players need now is the consummate backing from Ghanaians. It is important.

However, we shall not sit aloof if they get it wrong, especially with new call-ups into the national team. Every player must be worth their weight in gold.

By John Vigah

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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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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