Hot!
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 First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
