Sports
Time to stop the GAA, Martha Bissah war
There is an end to everything. There is an end to every war. Indeed, nothing in this world lasts forever.
That, perhaps, is the reason why in moments of war or antagonism, there is always a window of opening to smoking the peace pipe.
Thus, after about six years of a battling disaffection and rancour, the stand-off between the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) and the nation’s junior Olympic gold medalist – Martha Bissah, must be brought to an amicable end.
Martha, then 17, was placed on ice by the GAA for what it termed gross insubordination and indiscipline – claims the now 23-year-old US-based Ghanaian athlete decisively padded away – insisting she was victimised for speaking against the system.
Her ban came on the heels of the 11th All Africa Games in 2015, having a year earlier picked gold (nation’s only) in the 800m event at the Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
That phenomenal performance was copiously hailed globally, and also got President John Mahama celebrating that momentous feat with a GH¢10,000 gift to the young heroine.
Ghana was once again in the spotlight for the right reasons.
Unfortunately, what was expected to instantly sparkle up Martha’s career, almost turned into a nightmarish ‘golden curse’ as the GAA indefinite suspension detonated with a big boom!
It came as complete stunner to many.
Mentally tattered and fatally distraught, Martha thought about hanging her spikes prematurely at age 18. A potentially magnificent career was about to be cut off and hurled into the bin.
Luckily, there was a divine intervention with the emergence of Ambassador George Haldane Lutterodt, a former GAA boss – who together with former national athlete – Kwaku Nimako, managed to secure scholarship for the poor girl at the Norfolk State University (NSU).
Indeed, since her arrival in the US, Martha has mushroomed into a phenomenal package, clinching hordes of laurels including being voted the 2018 NSU Female Athlete of the Year.
But for the GAA, her buoyant performances and professional glamour meant nothing to trigger a reversal of the ban – unless she apologises and pleads for clemency.
But Martha insisted she had done no wrong and could not apologise for a sin she did not commit.
Question is, for how long would this hostility continue? Can we as a nation not find an end to this all this while?
Shame unto us all!
Two years ago, the immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, decided to step into the ‘fray’ after Martha’s consistent prodding, and directed the Prof. Francis Dodoo-led GAA to resolve the issue to enable the athlete compete for Ghana again. Sadly, nothing was done about the situation, the GAA jealously but doggedly sticking to its gun.
Most definitely, it is against this saturnine backdrop that Ambassador Lutterodt is urging retained GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah, to stick out a finger into the long-running imbroglio and resolve it once and for all.
It a big shame on all of us – especially the authorities, to have allowed this issue to run for six solid years without finding a lasting panacea. What kind of people are we? Are we dealing with a murder case involving the poor, naive Martha?
It costs the earth; it costs an arm and a leg to continue to allow this issue to persist. It would be too expensive to bear and we shall look back biting our fingers off years later by failing to bring finality to this matter.
The entire thing is now getting messier – and it is like watching sausage getting made.
The two main feuding parties (GAA and Martha Bissah) and all affiliates must sit down, grin and bear it in the supreme interest of Ghana sports!
This ridiculous ‘war’ must stop! It is not fun and does not make sense any longer.
PlainTalk
With John Vigah
Football is widely regarded as a sport where teamwork, not always individual brilliance, leads to success. This principle likely underpins the notable confidence expressed by Ghanaian soccer fans following the draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
So, despite the not-so-impressive performance of the Black Stars, Ghanaians remain optimistic about the team’s chances.
Last Friday’s draw pitched the Black Stars against England, Croatia, and Panama in a group that has been described in several ways. Some say it is manageable; others believe it is a tricky group, while for some, it represents Ghana’s easiest group compared to previous World Cups attended.
In sampling the views of some soccer fans, one retorted: “This is the best group in our World Cup history. England is no match. We may draw with Croatia and beat Panama. We are the favourites in the group.”
At that point, I conceded the lack of the “technical, or perhaps spiritual, eyes” that allow some fans to reach such confident conclusions about the Black Stars’ prospects.
Taking a closer look at the group, England are, without doubt, the strongest on paper with a fourth-place ranking in the latest FIFA rankings. Croatia follows in 10th position, Panama in 30th, and the Black Stars in 72nd position.
These statistics and several other factors make the fans’ overwhelming confidence appear untenable, and it would be wise to join those urging Team Ghana to tread with caution.
Comparatively, England comes to the table with the strongest team not just by virtue of their ranking. They also boast a squad featuring players from top clubs across the globe. Top performers like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Alexander Trent-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and others can be identified with the Three Lions.
The Croatians also boast world-class players such as Dominik Livaković, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Modrić, Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić, Toni Fruk, and many others.
Ghana, however, comes with a talented squad that will depend more on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, which the aforementioned teams could boast of.
With all things working together for the good of the Black Stars, Coach Otto Addo will have the luxury of calling on Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Kudus, Kwesi Sibo, and other emerging talents.
For Panama, they have a virtually unknown squad with players plying their trade in some respectable leagues. In their final qualifier, they featured Marseille right-back Michael Amir Murillo, Norwich City center-back Jose Cordoba, Slovan Bratislava defender Cesar Blackman, Las Palmas midfielder Edward Cedeno, Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, and San Diego midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Panama comes as the biggest beneficiary of the CONCACAF decision to host the World Cup, granting three automatic qualifications to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this does not make them automatic minnows, as many fans might want to believe.
It would be unrealistic to assume that the Black Stars have the men to outshine England or Croatia based purely on individual talents. But since football thrives on teamwork, Panama—and just like Ghana—can dare to dream against the big boys in the group and rewrite their World Cup history.
By Andrew Nortey
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Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
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