Hot!
There’s more to prayer, fasting for Black Stars
In less than a month, Ghana’s Black Stars will be tossing up their legs in a vigorous attempt to muster a strong display when they open up their campaign against Portugal on November 24.
The Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portuguese team beat the Stars 2-1 (Ghana scored an own goal) in the final group game at the Brazil 2014 World Cup tournament – an upshot that booted Ghana out of the campaign.
It was a calamitous first round exit in a World Cup that the Stars had astounded football’s most fastidious audience in their previous appearances.
In 2006, Ghana’s maiden appearance was celebrated wildly after the team knocked its way into the second round, having earlier accounted for the Czech Republic – then the world’s Number 2 best outfit.
Four years later in Africa – staged by South Africa – the continent’s maiden Mundial, the Stars swaggered their way to the quarter final stage, and were just seconds away from cracking a historic semis spot against Uruguay before Luis Suarez, hand-scooped a goal-bound ball from the net.
Sadly, the ensuing spot-kick was blown off by one of the tournament’s star players, Asamoah Gyan. Ghanaian hearts were shattered! No African team had come that close to breaking the semi-final hoodoo.
It was so disconcerting, therefore, when the Stars blew it up in the Brazil 2014 tournament as players held the nation to ransom, demanding to be paid their appearance fees and even boycotted training a session ahead of their final group game against Portugal.
Truth is that the depth of indiscipline in the Ghana camp was aberrant, leaving many wondering whether it was the same side that held eventual winners – Germany, to that pulsating 2-2 draw in the team’s second group game.
That, midfielder Sulley Muntari and management member Moses Parker, could go to the extent of trading fisticuffs and destroying valuables – in the full glare of other players and members of the team, should tell you the depth in which Team Ghana sunk.
As we embark on yet another campaign, this time in Qatar, the Football Authorities and the sector Ministry must begin to work hand-in-hand to ensure that we have a very serene atmosphere in the team’s camp.
The other day, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) triggered off a nationwide fasting and prayers for the Black Stars ahead of the team’s involvement in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
According to the FA, it formed part of a series of activities to usher the Stars into the Qatar tournament. Today, the event is expected to climax with a dinner involving legends of the Ghanaian game.
Of course, we have been told to spare some moment of prayer and fasting for the Black Stars. The purpose is to banish the demons and empower the team to shine in Qatar.
To be fair, the idea is not a bad one since prayer is key. It is an important component of life, especially for those who believe in spirituality.
But one thing we must not lose sight of is the fact that two of our group opponents in Qatar, Portugal and Uruguay are coming from a Christian nation that believes a lot in prayer and fasting, too. Yet, we have not heard any of those countries talk about fasting and prayer ahead of the Mundial.
Have you heard of the saying that ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves?’ It only tells you that God is for everybody. He does not love Ghana more than any other country. That is why we need to work our pants off and ensure we get it right.
Our players would have to prepare adequately well for the tournament and toughen up mentally and physically.
Indeed, God can only bless your hand when you have something to show for it. So, even though the prayer and fasting might be important, there is more to them.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
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
