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The lost AFCON fever
Low patronage for Black Stars paraphernalia
Coming events, they say cast their shadows before them.
Could this axiom be the reason for the obvious fans apathy against the Black Stars in an AFCON year?
A few fans have confirmed that due to the recent poor performances and disappointing results they churn out, they have decided to be indifferent and wait for the championship to peak and see what the Stars have for Ghanaians.
But another school of thought is also hanging around those who have decided to be patriotic and support the Black Stars no matter what.
However, this group are also supporting with caution and with modest expectation.
Fans boredom against the Black Stars have become very palpable but the levels to which it has sunk to needs the football people to rethink and get the fans back to the stands to cheer their national teams.
A walk through some principal streets of the capital reveals a situation unprecedented.
Usually, an AFCON period would be one replica jersey and other sports paraphernalia vendors look out for to cash out.
They sell products ranging from jerseys, flags, various wrist bands created in national colours to balls and face painting, especially on match days.
Now, one gets to his/her place of work to also find colleagues dressed dazzlingly in Black Stars replica jerseys and other stuff related to the team.
The sound of vuvuzela would also be heard everywhere, sending a strong message to even the non-fanatics of the team’s readiness for battle.
But what is seen today is nothing to write home about. The streets look normal with people minding their businesses. Vendors anticipate the worst so they are reluctant to invest in the sale of paraphernalia.
The streets of Osu Oxford street is a good example. On match days especially, vendors would be seen busily attending to customers, accompanied by some hawking along the street to attend to those in vehicles.
The Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, stretching to the Awudome end is also not spared of the usual hustling and bustling in this ‘festive’ period but a visit there revealed otherwise.
If that is a sign of how the spirit of the fans has dimmed, then the Black Stars have a long road to journey back to their fans.
This situation has brought about issues concerning player commitment, the quality of playing staff and the competence of the technical team appointed to end the 42-year-old AFCON drought.
It came as little surprise, therefore when the supposed team’s king pin, Kudus Mohammed granted an interview underscoring his commitment to the team.
I have always maintained that an invitation to feature for a national team was something every footballer should grab with pride because it does a lot of good to the player’s reputation.
This is a fact players are well aware of.
Ghana is blessed with a lot of talented players who are plying their trades across the globe and for that matter, concerns about quality must not come up.
But it does because it appears the system or criteria for selection lacks transparency and therefore anytime teams are selected, it attracts dissenting views.
However, a team of 27 players or so meant that the system cannot have every player on board. It is the reason the wailing and gnashing of teeth must end for fans to wear their colourful jerseys to support their team.
The group opening loss to Cape Verde may have dampened the spirit of many further. The outcome of the second game against Egypt remains unknown as of press time for this paper but no matter the outcome, Ghanaian fans must reignite that passion and support for the team to thrive
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
