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Kotoko can pass Karela test
Fatawu Mohammed – Karela United
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will play as guests of Karela United at the Naa Sheriga Sports Centre today in a match day 20 game of the Ghana Premier League.
It is a game the Porcupine Warriors must use to smiles on the faces of their supporters after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire’s Asec Mimosa in the President Cup match.
The game, played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Tuesday, was to commemorate Ghana’s 67th Independence anniversary and to honour the sitting president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
That outcome halted a smooth run of the Porcupine Warriors previously obliterated by a hungry Kpando Heart of Lions side.
But Karela would also not fall as easy prey for the Porcupines, having also indicated a strong desire to have a taste of Africa next season.
Also today, Accra Lions would host Berekum Chelsea in what would be Coach Samuel Boadu’s first attempt in the blue-and-white jersey of Chelsea.
The former Hearts of Oak coach joined Chelsea this week and would want to start on a fiery note.
Interestingly, the league journey has not been very smooth for the two sides who would attempt to snatch a vital win that could count in the latter days.
Two weeks after suffering a 1-0 loss to Accra Great Olympics in Sunyani, Bofoakwa Tano would travel to Kumasi to encounter another nemesis from Accra Hearts of Oak.
It will be another difficult assignment for the host as they engage the Phobians at a time it appears they have picked the pieces.
In their previous game, they overcame a 1-0 scare from Nsoatreman to win 2-1.
That clearly speaks of the new Phobian form that would trouble Bofoakwa Tano again.
Bechem United would be at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park to welcome the highflying FC Samartex.
Dreams FC return to the competition with a trip to the Nana Konamansah Park to play as guests of Nsoatreman while Aduana FC hosts Legon Cities at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park.
At the Bibiani Idun’s Park, Goldstars will host Accra Great Olympics while Heart of Lions face off with Real Tamale United (RTU).
On Monday, Nations FC will face Medeama SC in Kumasi.
By Andrew Nortey
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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.
