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Indeed, the time is now, Black Stars
‘’The time we have all been waiting for is here. Months of thinking about the AFCON, weeks of preparing and days of travelling, have finally brought us to the time all of us have been waiting for. It is that time that we have to forget about all the things that have happened in the past, come together with that singular ambition of making history for yourselves and for Ghana.
‘’It is that time that all of us have to stand up and be counted. It is our time to bring the country together. It is our time to use football to revive the spirit of our youth. It is our time to use football to bring hope and happiness to our country.’’
The above quote from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku perfectly captures the atmosphere created by the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire and set to kick off today.
At exactly 8pm, the Black Stars will commence their campaign for a fifth AFCON trophy to break a 42-year trophy drought with a group opener against Cape Verde.
This campaign is coming at a time when Black Stars fans appear crest-fallen with pride and ego dropping to its lowest ebb. There are a few out there, however, with some level of confidence and enthusiasm in the team that has regularly produced poor results in recent times in qualifiers.
That is the reason why the lucky 27 players selected by Coach Chris Hughton needed no reminders like what the FA President put out to know the responsibilities on their shoulders.
The 27-member team included Richard Ofori, Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Nicholas Opoku and Salisu Mohammed.
The others are Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jonathan Sowah and Daniel Amartey.
The rest include Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Elisha Owusu, Abdul Samed Salis, Richmond Lamptey, Majeed Ashimeru, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer with Chris Hughton as the Head Coach.
These players know better than all and have a better understanding of what it means to be handed places in national teams. It comes with pride and enhances the player’s status.
However, it also comes with a huge responsibility to put everything aside in defence of the country’s flag at the biggest continental football platform.
The FA President therefore minced no words when he reminded the team of the times in which they found themselves. Indeed, this is the time to deliver what a particular generation of Ghanaian football fans have not experienced in their lifetime.
At the same dinner to bid farewell to the team, the President of the land, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also urged them to strive to win the ultimate because the entire nation was behind them.
On the surface, it appears majority of Ghanaians have given up on the team but that situation could change based on what they show at the showpiece.
This is surely not bigger than the team full of youngsters that have struggled to keep Ghana at the top as one of the powerhouses of African football.
Paired in a group with Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique, Ghana is surely one of the countries expected to progress from Group B of the competition.
But they are likely to meet stiffer opposition after the group stage when other forces like Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and others all lurk around the trophy.
Asking the Black Stars to bring home the trophy appears a mere formality to demonstrate one’s faith in the team but realistically, it seem a huge impossibility but that underdog status is what they would be expected to thrive on to upset the apple-cart. Go for the trophy, Stars!
By Andrew Nortey
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
