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Jordan Ayew hat-trick gives Ghana victory in crucial World Cup Qualifier against CAR
Jordan Ayew scored a hat-trick in either half as Ghana beat Central African Republic on Matchday 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The win takes Ghana to 9 points following three victories and one loss in four rounds of matches.
Jordan Ayew put Ghana ahead with an early penalty after Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was fouled in the box inside six minutes.
Ayew drilled home the opener but the Black Stars trailed 2-1 at the break after Louis Mafouta took advantage of two defensive errors to temporarily silence the home crowd.
Mafouta first scored in the 11th minute before going past Gideon Mensah for his second goal in the 41st minute.
Back from recess, Ghana took control of the game and pressed for the equalizer as Kamal Deen Sulemana and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku swapped positions on the wings.
The pressure paid off in the 60th minute when Jordan Ayew equalised with a powerful header from Gideon Mensah’s cross. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku restored Ghana’s lead with a well-placed strike that beat goalkeeper Flory Yangao for the third goal.
The Black Stars added to the tally in the 69th minute when Jordan Ayew completed his hat-trick to put Ghana 4-2 up.
But Central African Republic mounted pressure and scored the third goal through Louis Moufata in the 90th minute but it was not enough as Ghana held on to win the contest.
The win takes Ghana to the top of Group I with 9 points as they await the results of the other matches on Wednesday, June 11, 2024 to confirm their position in the standings. The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will resume in March 2025.
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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.
