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John Painstil monitors players in Asante Kotoko-Legon Cities clash
Black Stars deputy coach, John Paintsil, was in Kumasi on Sunday to witness the Ghana Premier League clash between Asante Kotoko and Legon Cities played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Paintsil was at the game as part of the continuing search for players who possess the qualities and specific requirements necessary to be considered for inclusion in the senior men’s national team, the Black Stars.
The former National star and West Ham United defender was in the company of Ghana U20 Head Coach, Desmond Ofei, who was also on a similar mission, as he looks to rebuild his team for future assignments.
Paintsil had previously attended matches including Kotoko versus Samartex in Kumasi, Kotoko versus Dreams FC in Dawu, as well as Nsoatreman versus Bofoakwa Tano in Nsoatre. Additionally, he was present at the clash between Hearts of Oak and Karela FC in Accra, demonstrating the commitment of the Black Stars Technical team, headed by Coach Otto Addo, to covering various regions and teams spread across the length and breadth of Ghana.
As preparations intensify for the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June, Paintsil’s tireless efforts underscore the team’s unwavering commitment to assembling a formidable squad capable of fulfilling the hopes and dreams of Ghanaians and making the Black Stars a dominant force in African and World Football once again.
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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.
