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Pampered bunch in national colours
News that players of the senior national team, Black Stars, were given US$20,000 each as appearance fee at the just-ended African Cup of Nations (AFCON) continues to ruffle a few feathers.
The Stars were bowled out of the AFCON held in Cameroon, finishing last in Group C with a point. That Ghana lost to minnows Comoros 2-3 in a game they had to win and qualify for the last-16 stage, irritated long-suffering Ghanaians fans the more.
Ghana was expected to break the trophy drought in Cameroon, having gone without the continental coronet since the glory of 1982 in Libya. But a couple of shambolic performances ensured that the Stars produced the nation’s worst output in AFCON history. It was painful and harrowing.
But as Ghanaians were brooding over the ignominious loss, emerge the worrying news that even in their mess; the Stars received US$20,000 each for their presence at the tournament. Such amount splashed on the players and officials for appearing in an AFCON tournament? This is crazy! It is even crazier to think that they did not only come home empty-handed, but with their heads down in chagrin.
Questions are being asked here and there; how was such amount splattered on the Stars when even winners of the tournament – Senegal’s Teranga Lions, walked away with financial rewards and plots of land for their stupendous efforts.
“As testament to our gratitude, and in the name of the nation, the players and other members of the official delegation will each receive a special bonus of 50,000,000 CFA ($87,178), and a 200-square metre plot of land in Dakar,” Senegal Head of State Macky Sall said, in his official address to the players.
“They will each also receive a 500-square metre plot of land in the first district of the new city of Diamniadio (30km from the capital).”
Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw at the Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde to finally get their hands on the AFCON title after two previous failed attempts in the final.
As someone jokingly said, we would have built skyscrapers for the Ghana players plus a GH¢1m each had they annexed the crown. We have made money the epicentre of everything to the extent that the players do not even see the need to ‘kill themselves’ for the result, aware that irrespective of the upshot, they would still swagger all the way to the bank. That should not be the case.
What at all are we doing to our national team? What kind of seed are we sowing? Are we probably not reaping from the seed we have sown in the past?
The other time (AFCON 2015), we gave players 30 grand Jeep Cherokee vehicles to the Blacks Stars and the management team for placing second, after losing to Cote d’Ivoire during the lottery of penalty shoot-out.
The vehicles – and US$25,000 each, we understood, formed part of the reward Government promised the senior national team for their ‘do well’ performance at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Each Cherokee vehicle cost $76,000 ($2,280,000) and were supplied by Tannick Automobile, a company located on the Tema motorway. We are told there was no government involvement. But does it really matter? It is still our worship of such run-of-the-mill, garden-variety results.
You see the level of mediocrity in the Black Stars? What would they have offered the team if they had conquered Africa? This is simply unfathomable, to say the least!
By now, our authorities should know that such pampering of the national team players has the propensity to irk the public who want to see some real fight and hard work from them on the pitch. We have got to be very careful not to court further disaffection for the team as we plan to build a more formidable and winsome Black Stars in the years ahead.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
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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.
