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Nana Kwasi Gyan-Appenteng’s AFCON 2024 Diary-1
The Africa Cup of Nations: Will the Black Stars Anchor Hold?
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), currently underway in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, has a storied history that spans over six decades.
As one of the most prestigious football tournaments on the African continent, AFCON holds immense importance, not only for football enthusiasts but also for the participating nations and their citizens.
A bit of history
AFCON traces its roots back to 1957 when the inaugural tournament took place in Sudan.
Initially, only three teams participated: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Since then, the tournament has evolved and expanded, becoming a platform for African nations to showcase their footballing prowess.
AFCON holds great significance for African nations as it provides a platform for national teams to compete against each other, fostering unity and a sense of national pride.
The tournament showcases the immense talent and passion for football that exists across the continent.
Over the years, AFCON has witnessed remarkable growth, both in terms of participation and global recognition.
From its humble beginnings, the tournament now features 24 teams, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
The competition has also become a talent showcase, providing a springboard for African players to secure contracts with top European clubs.
Moments and Icons:
Throughout its history, AFCON has seen numerous memorable moments that have etched themselves into the annals of African football.
From Ghana winning the initial cup for keeps, Egypt’s unprecedented dominance by winning the tournament a record seven times, to Cameroon’s thrilling victories in 1984 and 2000, each edition has produced its fair share of unforgettable matches and individual performances.
The tournament has also given rise to legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Icons like Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Touré, Jay-Jay Okocha, Abedi Pele, and Roger Milla have showcased their extraordinary skills on the AFCON stage, inspiring generations of African footballers.
Beyond Football: Social and Economic Impact:
AFCON’s importance extends beyond the realm of football. Hosting the tournament offers significant economic benefits to the host nation, boosting tourism, infrastructure development, and local businesses.
It also provides an opportunity for African countries to showcase their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of unity and promoting the continent as a vibrant and diverse destination. Moreover, AFCON serves as a powerful tool for social cohesion and nation-building.
The tournament brings together people from diverse backgrounds and unites them under a common love for the game, fostering a sense of national identity and pride.
As the Africa Cup of Nations continues to captivate football fans across the globe, its rich history and enduring importance become increasingly apparent.
This tournament not only celebrates the exceptional footballing talent that Africa possesses but also serves as a catalyst for social and economic development. AFCON is a testament to the power of sport in bringing people together and showcasing the best of the African continent.
The Black Stars in the mix
It is with this rich background of the tournament that Ghanaians are tormented by the 40-year cup drought. The Black Stars have lifted the cup four times, but it has been 42 years since a Ghanaian finger intentionally touched Africa’s foremost football trophy.
Since then, we have come close on a number of occasions, especially the two finals that were both won by Ivory Coast in penalty shoot-outs in 1992 and 2015.
Today, it would take bravery or foolhardiness, perhaps a combination of the two, to declare Ghana as one of the favourites of the tournament. But Ghana has history as its anchor, and our opponents don’t write us off, not even after succumbing to the likes of Comoros. Maybe, just maybe, the Black Stars achor will hold.
The 2024 edition of this venerable competition is on, and your daily Diary will keep you informed and entertained. Stay tuned.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
