Editorial
Let’s have hope in our Black Stars
In a few days, the World Cup will begin in Qatar, and looking at all the teams that are taking part in the competition, many Ghanaians are wondering whether the Black Stars will be able to live up to expectations.
It is important for every Ghanaian to note that the players for Ghana are world-class players who are prepared to die for their country. For this reason, Ghanaians need hope to support the team.
Massive support for the Black Stars is what we need at this time. It is only Ghanaians themselves who can support the players, wish them well, and pray for their victory. All 31 million Ghanaians cannot go to Qatar to play in the World Cup. What can be done is for each of us to pray for the Black Stars and their technical team and wish them well so they can give us the victory we need.
It will be good if Ghana emerges the most successful African team in the competition, moving from the group stages and successfully going through the one-sixteenth stage and also a quarter final and moving on further into the semi finals and getting to the grand finale.
What a wonderful achievement it will be for Ghanaians and all Africans! It may sound like an impossible dream, but in this world, every achievement is possible if you plan well.
Ghana has a team that can pull a surprise at the tournament based on the calibre of members of the technical team as well as individual Black Star players. They will face Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay in the group stages. These are tough teams that are likely to put fear into any African team.
What the Black Stars need to do is not entertain fear for any of the competing teams, irrespective of the FIFA ranking they are given. They can remain composed and approach each match with seriousness and strategy.
The Black Stars must do all they can then win their first match against Portugal, irrespective of how difficult it may be, so as to open the opportunity for them to win their remaining matches and qualify for the next stage of the competition.
After winning against Portugal, they can then prepare well and win the matches against Uruguay and South Korea.
This feat can be achieved, so the Black Stars and their technical team must work toward it and make it come to pass.
Everything is possible in this world. In light of this, the team must be courageous enough to overcome all the challenges that they may face. If they are able to do this, the Black Stars of Africa will be placed higher during the tournament.
We also need to pray for the Stars, as has already been pointed out, so that every possible blessing and good luck can come their way. During such tournaments, the decisions of referees and confrontations by the opposing teams during matches are also important, which explains why the blessings of the Almighty God (Allah) will be needed for the Black Stars.
As we enter the tournament, let all Ghanaians go down on their knees and pray for the team so that we can do better for the nation.
This is our goal, and we must do all we can to achieve what is unimaginable for the country.
Editorial
Merits and demerits of scraping betting tax
Dear Editor,
Over the past years, a lot of concerns have been raised about the rise of sports betting companies in the country, their operations, and how it impacted negatively on the youth of the country.
I have also witnessed how some of the youth go to the extent of borrowing money from friends or use companies’ money to stake bets, which they were not guaranteed of winning.
Due to this, I was happy when the previous government introduced the betting tax, as I felt it would deter the youth from engaging in it.
However, some Ghanaians hold the view that the betting tax would help create employment.
It wasn’t surprising to see the excitement that greeted the announcement of the scrapping of the tax by the Finance Minister.
My worry now is how, as a country, the youth can be discouraged from engaging in betting.
I believe that as the betting tax has been scrapped, it is about time that the government finds ways of addressing the issue of betting among the youth as it is becoming more serious than before.
I believe that there should be a multi-stakeholder engagement between the various stakeholders to proffer solutions to address them.
Editorial
Rail crossing point at circle- Kaneshie road needs attention
Dear Editor,
I read with happiness a letter published in the previous edition about the poor state of the rail crossing stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie road.
I totally agree with the concerns raised by the writer and I wish to add my voice to the call on the authorities to quickly work on that stretch of the road.
What the writer left out was the occasional happenings when vehicles break down on the rail line. I have witnessed that before.
It is not a comfortable thing driving on it at all. It is a huge dent on the beauty the interchange was expected to bring to the area.
The traffic it creates is a major inconvenience to people who are rushing to work.
I wish to appeal to the authorities to quickly do something about that portion of the road to make it convenient for drivers. Thank you for the space.
Maxwell Amamoo,
Odorkor
