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CAF medical seminar for WAFU Zone B has ended
Ghana’s male U-17 team doctor, Ernest Anim Opare, has successfully participated in a four-day medical seminar organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The seminar, held under the auspices of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B took place in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou, from April 23-26, 2024.
Dr Anim Opare was among a cohort of high-profile medical doctors that took part in the workshop in the build-up to the 2024 CAF/WAFU-B U17 tournament to be held in Ghana from May15-28 in Accra.
The seminar focused on the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and fitness protocols captured in the Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) in determining the eligibility of the U-17 players.
The CAF Executive decision (2023) regarding player eligibility for U17 tournaments remains in effect, emphasizing the use of MRI screenings to verify player age.
It was reiterated at the seminar that, for the qualifying phase, an eligibility test will be compulsorily performed for all the participating teams before the start of matches.
All tests will be performed according to the CAF protocol in health facilities and duly accredited centres with MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) equipment.
CAF reserves the right to conduct the eligibility test (MRI) for the tournament as well as the final phase for the twelve teams qualified to the CAF U17 AFCON tournament, where all costs of the MRI tests will be covered by CAF.
Again, after performing MRI tests for participating teams, no country will be allowed to replace an ineligible player.
The seminar touched on the importance of team doctors in educating players about the dangers and consequences of doping violations. Doctors are also to provide assent for minors selected for doping tests and to stay informed about the sample collection process and anti-doping procedures to support their players effectively.
With the conclusion of this medical seminar, it is anticipated that all participating teams are up to speed with all medical requirements and protocols for the upcoming WAFU B U-17 tournament.
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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement
• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas
Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.
Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.
That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.
The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.
As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.
These people have turned the pavements into their places of abode, covering every inch of space with their wares.
Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captures some of the unfriendly scenes the authorities must try and deal with to restore sanity to the area.
By Lizzy Okai
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NDC outlines demands before committing to Peace Pact
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has set forth specific conditions that the party insists must be met before considering signing the Peace Pact advocated by the National Peace Council in anticipation of the December 7 elections.
Mr. Nketia expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of past Peace Pacts, highlighting that they had not achieved their intended outcomes, particularly referencing the 2020 elections, during which eight NDC members were allegedly killed by national security operatives without accountability.
During an August 20 meeting with the National Peace Council at the NDC headquarters, Mr. Nketia detailed the certain conditions for the NDC’s participation in the Peace Pact.
The NDC is demanding that the recommendations from the investigation into the violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election be fully implemented.
They also want those responsible for election-related violence in the last election to be prosecuted, stressing the importance of justice and prevention.
The party is calling for accountability regarding irregularities in the printing of ballot papers and insists that visible measures be taken to prevent such issues from happening again.
They are also pushing for a thorough investigation into the missing IT equipment from the Electoral Commission’s (EC) warehouse, expressing concerns about the integrity of the EC’s systems and the potential bias of its staff.
Furthermore, the NDC is urging the President to publicly commit to respecting the results of the 2024 elections. Lastly, the party insists that the Peace Pact should be signed by key figures, including the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and the National Security Coordinator, before they will consider signing it themselves.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
