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Heed to Ogum’s call for unity
Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum
In a little over a month, the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) will kick off at various centres.
Preparations towards the big kick off has seen a number of clubs getting busy with pre-season activities, ranging from player recruitment, signing new coaches, engaging in friendly matches among others, all in a bid to strengthen the teams for another long season.
The objectives, however, varies from one club to the other; reflecting in the pre-season activities the clubs are engaged in.
New entrants like Tano Bofoakwa, Nations FC and Kpando Heart of Lions would just not be aiming to strengthen the squads to cope with the challenges at the elite level.
They would also be preoccupied with ensuring that they have very good and competent technical teams to guide them through the Premier League storm.
As a result, Real Bofo, as Bofoakwa is affectionately known, has signed on a former Ghana international and Asante Kotoko legend, Frimpong Manso; Nations FC, seen as King Faisal’s replacement after their relegation in the last season, also brought on board Kasim Ocansey Mingle to reinforce the technical bench.
But the issue regarding coaching has not just been a concern for the promoted clubs. Traditional clubs including Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko and Great Olympics are all walking on similar paths.
While Hearts are expected to announce a substantive Gaffer for the season, Kotoko and Olympics have taken the bull by the horn, announcing returns of their former coaches – Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum and Daniel Annor Walker, respectively.
Significantly, Dr Ogum and Annor Walker appear to be making similar calls to the clubs’ fans to be united to improve the fortunes of their respective clubs.
Unity among Kotoko fans was a major subject for Dr Ogum at his unveiling this week at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
He beseeched the fans to ‘let bygones be bygones’ as the club aimed at reclaiming its top hierarchy in the elite game in Ghana.
Annor Walker has officially not been unveiled but has been consistent in his interactions with friends in the media about the importance of having a united fan base.
Clearly, it shows the importance of leading a club supported by a united fan base.
That gives the players the peace of mind, confidence and desire to play.
Without it, the club struggles as evident among the above mentioned traditional clubs.
Interestingly, fans of Hearts, Kotoko and Olympics appeared the most disunited last season; either having issues with their respective management teams, technical teams and the playing bodies in some instances.
Obviously, it contributed to their poor placement on the league table with Hearts and Olympics even threatened by relegation.
Without doubt, a repeat of such behaviour could further damage the league’s reputation by virtue of having the largest followers who at some stage of the season stayed away from their games as matches were played in empty stadia.
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.
