GPL Wrap-up: Samartex clinch historic title

FC Samartex secured their first-ever Ghana Premier League title after a 1-0 win over Bibiani GoldStars FC at home while Great Olympics beat Asante Kotoko as the race for survival intensifies.

Asante Kotoko 0-1 Accra Great Olympics: Dr Kwame Kyei Complex, Kumasi

Accra Great Olympics recorded a vital 1-0 win at Asante Kotoko to enhance their Ghana Premier League survival prospect on matchday-32 on Sunday.

Raymond Oko Grippman’s 44th minute strike delivered the important win for the visitors at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

Olympics, 16th on the league table with 39 points, will move above their city rivals Hearts of Oak, if they beat Dreams FC in an outstanding match on Wednesday June 5, 2024.

The Premier League is heading to a photo-finish with as many as six teams heavily involved in the relegation dog-fight.

Kotoko lie 10th with 43 points and will need at least one win from the remaining two matches to safeguard their safety in the Ghanaian top-flight.

Medeama SC 0-1 Heart of Lions: Akoon Community park, Tarkwa

Ebenezer Abban scored an injury-time penalty to hand Heart of Lions an important 1-0 win at Medeama SC on Sunday.

Abban stepped up to make amends after he missed an earlier penalty in the 89th minute at the Akoon Community park.

The visitors have jumped to 13th on the league table with 41 points – a big result that could prove crucial in the battle to avoid relegation.

The result means Medeama SC have lost out in the title race with the Premier League crown heading to FC Samartex 1996.

The Mauve and Yellow are tied on same points with Aduana FC in third position.

Nsoatreman 1-1 Accra Lions: Nana Konamansah park, Nsoatre

Nsoatreman FC and Accra Lions shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Nana Konamansah park on Sunday.

Collins Kofi Kudjoe scored first for the home side as early as the 6th minute before Bernard Kesse pulled parity in the 25th minute.

Accra Lions are 5th on the table with 48 points while Nsoatreman FC lie 8th on the table with 46 points.

Berekum Chelsea 2-0 Real Tamale United (RTU): Golden City park, Berekum

Berekum Chelsea striker Stephen Amankona is now the leading scorer in the 2023-24 Ghana Premier League after he scored in their 2-0 win over Real Tamale United (RTU).

Amankona, who has now scored 16 goals, sealed victory for the Blues in the 45th minute with a beautiful strike.

Kusi Pandrous opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 21st minute before Amankona put the game beyond the basement club.

Berekum Chelsea have secured their top-flight status and lie 7th with 47 points while rock-bottom Real Tamale United have amassed just 31 points.

Dreams FC 1-0 Karela United: Theatre of Dreams, Dawu

Youngster Abdul Aziz Issah scored the only goal of the match as Dreams FC beat Karela United 1-0 at home on Sunday.

Issah, the joint-top scorer in the 2023-24 CAF Confederation Cup, scored the decisive goal on the stroke of the end of the first half at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu.

Dreams, who have two outstanding matches to clear, lie 14th with 41 points from 30 matches while United drop to 15th on the table with 40 points.

FC Samartex 1-0 Bibiani GoldStars FC: Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Sambreboi

FC Samartex 1996 have secured a historic Ghana Premier League title after beating Bibiani GoldStars FC 1-0 at home on Sunday.

Emmanuel Mammah’s first half strike has delivered the Premier League crown for the Samreboi-based side.

The Nsenkyire Stadium has been thrown into spontaneous jubilation with celebration expected to go deep into the night.

Samartex knew they had to avoid defeat to win the title, after second-placed Aduana FC lost at Bechem United on Saturday.

Now dethroned champions Medeama also missed out after losing 1-0 at home to Heart of Lions to help Samartex secure the Premier League crown in style.

The Timber giants have opened a nine-point lead at the top of the table with just two matches to end the season.

Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.

He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.

“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.

President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.

He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.

He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.

“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23

Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.

The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.

The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.

It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.

The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.

Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.

CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.

Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.

In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.

He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.