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Indeed, the time is now, Black Stars
‘’The time we have all been waiting for is here. Months of thinking about the AFCON, weeks of preparing and days of travelling, have finally brought us to the time all of us have been waiting for. It is that time that we have to forget about all the things that have happened in the past, come together with that singular ambition of making history for yourselves and for Ghana.
‘’It is that time that all of us have to stand up and be counted. It is our time to bring the country together. It is our time to use football to revive the spirit of our youth. It is our time to use football to bring hope and happiness to our country.’’
The above quote from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku perfectly captures the atmosphere created by the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire and set to kick off today.
At exactly 8pm, the Black Stars will commence their campaign for a fifth AFCON trophy to break a 42-year trophy drought with a group opener against Cape Verde.
This campaign is coming at a time when Black Stars fans appear crest-fallen with pride and ego dropping to its lowest ebb. There are a few out there, however, with some level of confidence and enthusiasm in the team that has regularly produced poor results in recent times in qualifiers.
That is the reason why the lucky 27 players selected by Coach Chris Hughton needed no reminders like what the FA President put out to know the responsibilities on their shoulders.
The 27-member team included Richard Ofori, Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Nicholas Opoku and Salisu Mohammed.
The others are Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jonathan Sowah and Daniel Amartey.
The rest include Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Elisha Owusu, Abdul Samed Salis, Richmond Lamptey, Majeed Ashimeru, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer with Chris Hughton as the Head Coach.
These players know better than all and have a better understanding of what it means to be handed places in national teams. It comes with pride and enhances the player’s status.
However, it also comes with a huge responsibility to put everything aside in defence of the country’s flag at the biggest continental football platform.
The FA President therefore minced no words when he reminded the team of the times in which they found themselves. Indeed, this is the time to deliver what a particular generation of Ghanaian football fans have not experienced in their lifetime.
At the same dinner to bid farewell to the team, the President of the land, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also urged them to strive to win the ultimate because the entire nation was behind them.
On the surface, it appears majority of Ghanaians have given up on the team but that situation could change based on what they show at the showpiece.
This is surely not bigger than the team full of youngsters that have struggled to keep Ghana at the top as one of the powerhouses of African football.
Paired in a group with Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique, Ghana is surely one of the countries expected to progress from Group B of the competition.
But they are likely to meet stiffer opposition after the group stage when other forces like Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and others all lurk around the trophy.
Asking the Black Stars to bring home the trophy appears a mere formality to demonstrate one’s faith in the team but realistically, it seem a huge impossibility but that underdog status is what they would be expected to thrive on to upset the apple-cart. Go for the trophy, Stars!
By Andrew Nortey
Hot!
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.
