Features
Qatar 2022, the West and Africa
The FIFA Mundial has got off in the oil-rich nation of Qatar and our own Black Stars are among the elites of world football to showcase what stuff they are made of.
I have a gut feeling that Ghana’s national team will spring a surprise this time round. As ambassadors of this country, it is my expectation that our boys will lift high the flag of Ghana at the tournament.
My concern today is not about the game itself but about how some Western media platforms have treated the host country in their respective narratives since Qatar won the bid to host the tournament as long as 12 years ago.
Western media practitioners are largely ignorant about the rest of the world. In their commentaries, they falsely posit that the Gulf state only started playing football just a couple of years ago. The truth is that Qatar started playing football in the late 1940s.
The West has a jaundiced perception of all Islamic countries and this is mirrored in their media reportage. The sufferings these countries have gone through to reach where they are, are completely lost on the Western media.
They harp on abuse of human rights and dictatorial tendencies, intolerance of dissent and lack of freedoms. Some even suggested, and campaigned, that the tournament be moved elsewhere because of a so-called ill-treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.
I have no reason to defend Qatar and its treatment of migrant workers. But my search revealed that this is not a state policy. Rather, there are rogue employment agencies that recruit workers under situations akin to enslavement. Some of these agencies are only out to make money out of people desirous of eking a living to support their families back in their respective countries. These agencies have collaborators in the job seekers’ countries.
When these rogue agencies get mentioned to the media by aggrieved and affected migrants, the Qatari Government is blamed. Of course, it makes sense because the government has the duty of ensuring that its labour laws are respected by both employers, agents and employees. However, many agencies operate outside of the laws till someone dies in the line of work and the media raises a flag.
A young friend of mine lives and works in Qatar. Though he is desirous of migrating to the West, he tells me he is well treated as an expat, but also agrees that many blacks are treated badly by their employers. The racist slur, he says, is as rampant in the Gulf as it is in many Western countries.
People work in deplorable conditions in Europe and the Americas. Racism and racial abuse are daily occurrences in these countries but their media projects them as safe havens. You should listen to tomato pickers in Iberia telling their tales.
America and Europe will like to impose whatever catches their fancy on the rest of the world. If you don’t dance to their music, either you are a dictatorship or a pariah state. Or dictating to the rest of the world is not dictatorship?
These Western countries expect you to conform to their way of doing things when you are on their territory. The adage of, “When you go to Rome, do as Romans do,” applies here. However, they expect their citizens to not live by the dictates of countries they visit. This is hypocrisy.
When journalist Jamal Kashoggi was brutally murdered and his body chopped and put in acid on the orders of then Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, then candidate Joe Biden (now US President) swore not to let the Crown Prince off the hook. Today, Joe Biden has granted MBS (the then Crown Prince) immunity from prosecution because he has been appointed Prime Minister of the Saudi Kingdom.
When America under Bush and Britain under Blair killed Saddam Hussein, did they know he was the president of Iraq? When America under Obama and France under Sarkozy got Gaddafi murdered, did they know he was the president of Libya? When it’s for political and economic expediency, the West will throw integrity out the window.
Qatar is an Islamic nation with strict religious edicts. If you want to visit, you are expected to live by the tenets of their belief and way of life. Western media is trumpeting their fancy LGBTQ+ idea as a freedom the authorities in Qatar must subscribe to. Are we there to play and enjoy football or we are there on an orgy of sexual gratification the way it suits our fancy?
As the football tournament progresses, the Western media is looking for cases of arrest of visitors for acts that offend the sensibilities of the Qatari people and will present these as a confirmation of their jaundiced perception of the host country. The success of the organisation of the Mundial will mean nothing to them.
The rest of the world cannot, and should not, be measured by Western standards. The stance of Iran and some radical groups in the Middle East, in my opinion, is a reaction to Western imperialism.
Now, something was posted on my family platform on Qatar ’22. I reproduce it here:
“The FIFA scandal documentary on Netflix is a must watch for every Nigerian vis-a-vis African.
There are huge lessons to take home for the black race regarding his penchant to put personal greed ahead of community good and development.
“Qatar basically won the hosting rights for the world cup by buying up a majority of the members in the 22-man committee which voted in the decision to award the 2022 world cup hosting rights to the gulf nation.
“Michel Platini in return for his vote forced the Qataris to enter into an arms deal with France worth billions of dollars, plus buy their aircraft, and a football club in France (Yeah, that’s how they came about PSG).
“The Brazilians traded their vote for a gas deal which saw the setting up of a fully functional mega gas plant in the Amazon nation.
“The Africans among them asked for 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS wired straight to their personal accounts.
Like bro, you came to the table where nation-changing deals were being made and all you cared for was your personal account balance? Not the millions of lives that could be changed forever? You didn’t ask for your country’s share of those far reaching deals of epic national proportions worth in the regions of several hundred millions of dollars. Instead you went for a self serving interest thereby denying your people the luxury of a better life?
“That Netflix documentary summed up the mentality of the African man in its entirety. If you are wondering why it’s the richest yet poorest continent, look no further.”
True, look no further. But look at this scenario: Imagine I was one of those who voted. Then I asked for the Qatari to invest in the triangular rail line from Takoradi to Kumasi, down to Accra through Koforidua and Asuoyaa. That money lands on the desk of our government . Will the project see the light of day?
It is the behaviour of the thieves Africans elect our leaders that breeds mistrust, thus pushing people to seek their own. Platini knows the French Government will be transparent in accounting to the people. How many of our leaders account to their citizens? I believe I would also give my personal bank account to save our leaders the headache of feasting on the money. I also have family and friends, don’t I?
I can bet my last pesewa that only one African nation’s delegate will deliver to their country if there was such a deal. And that is Rwanda. Rwanda has proved that it is a country that should be taken seriously. Let us enjoy Qatar 2022.
Writer’s email address:
akofa45@yahoo.com
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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