Selective justice! …Why only Hearts?
Ghana’s COVID-19 situation is alarmingly scary! Really scary! To have more than 700 people contracting the fatal virus daily should be a huge concern for all.
As of Thursday, the nation has recorded 5,786 active cases, 68, 559 confirmed cases and 433 deaths. In all, the recoveries/discharges have been a little over 62,000. Whichever way you look at it, the situation is very dire and frightening.
To stem the disturbing tide, a number of Ghanaians have even suggested a second partial lock-down to be imposed by the government. Others disagreed with that suggestion.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has, perhaps, taken the first carping step.
On Saturday January 30, 2021, the GFA ordered Hearts of Oak to play the rest of their Ghana Premier League matches behind closed-doors after they were said to have breached COVID-19 protocols in their game against rival side, Accra Great Olympics on Saturday night.
In a letter signed by the GFA’s General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, the exact nature of the violations were not stated, but the club has been ordered to play all home games without fans at the stadium until the matter is determined by the Disciplinary Committee.
Hearts slumped 0-2 to their sworn rivals Accra Great Olympics in a tie that saw many supporters throng the stadium, discarding a standing guideline to clubs to only permit a maximum supporter number of 25 per cent of the stadium capacity due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Of course, during a virtual meeting with Safety and Security Officers and Representatives of the 18 Premier League Clubs on Wednesday January 20, the FA warned the clubs that it would close down any match venue where the COVID-19 Safety Protocols were violated.
Perhaps, one must commend the GFA for having the character to crack the whip on the Phobians, at least for now.
However, the FA cannot be said to be fair-and-square to fans and maybe Hearts when many other clubs have over time, glaringly flouted such directives and are walking scot-free.
For instance, the game between Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold SC held at the Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday January 31, attracted hundreds of supporters, far in excess of the legal 25 per cent stadium capacity. This cannot be lost on the FA.
Again, on the same day, there were several reports pointing to the fact that the King Faisal v Berekum Chelsea tie at the Gyamfi Park in Bekwai registered quite a sizable number in attendance, more than 30 per cent full.
If this be the case, why should the FA turn its sledge hammer on Hearts alone? Why the selective justice? Making them a scapegoat? If we really are poised to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, then we must be seen to be fair-minded and resolute in the implementation of the law.
That said, the National Sports Authority (NSA) too cannot be absolved from blame. The NSA is the owner of the stadium and It is also its responsibility to ensure that the right thing was done at the gates.
The NSC must have a system where it can easily monitor the number of fans that enter the stadium and ensure that they do not surpass what has already been agreed on – especially when it also have its men at the gate.
Of course, there must be a concerted effort between the NSA, security officers at match venues and clubs to ensure fans observe the protocols.
Indeed, it is all-too simplistic to blame the clubs – whilst the NSA that had allowed its facility to be violated, go blameless or overlooked.
The NSA must, therefore, be proactive to enforce the directive and not take things for granted. At all times, they must work closely with the clubs to ensure full compliance.
Some years ago, NSA security men at the main gate were said to have prevented then Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Professor Addy, from entering the Accra stadium because he did not have a complimentary ticket in clear violation of the rules they made. That is the way to go!
But in all these, do we not as fans also value our lives? Why must it take the government to compel us to protect our own lives and those of others? Incredible!
Whilst we support the FA in their avowed bid to enforce the rules, it would not be out of place to advise it to be holistic in their approach. That way, all clubs would be on the qui vive and do the right thing.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
